The NSW Government’s Start Strong Program aims to make early childhood education more affordable and accessible. It provides funding to eligible community preschools and long day care services to reduce fees for families. The program supports children aged 3 to 5 years, ensuring they can participate in 600 hours of quality preschool education in the years before school.

In 2025, the Start Strong Program offers an annual flat rate Family Fee Relief Payment for eligible children attending a preschool program in long day care:

• $515 for children who are 3 years old and not 4 years old, on or before 31 July 2025.
• $2,174 for children who are 4 years old, on or before 31 July 2025.

To access the Family Fee Relief Payment, families need to complete a NSW Government 2025 ‘Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form’ for each child and provide the completed form to their childcare service. Access to this payment is only available from one service at a time. Contact us for more info!