Child Care Guide
Finding the right childcare for your family is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The Child Care Guide is here to help. We bring together everything parents need to understand how childcare works in Australia — from government support and quality standards to the various educational approaches and practical tools — all in one trusted place.
Whether you’re exploring childcare options for the first time, comparing services in your area, or planning how to make the most of your Child Care Subsidy (CCS), this guide is designed to support you every step of the way.
Child Care Guide – Australia’s Trusted Child Care Resource
Childcare in Australia can be complex. With different types of services, funding options, and quality frameworks to consider, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Our mission is to make that process simpler.
The Child Care Guide is a comprehensive, independent resource created to help families:
- Understand how the childcare system works in Australia
- Explore different early learning approaches and care options
- Navigate the Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS)
- Learn about quality standards and what they mean for your child
- Make confident, informed decisions when choosing a childcare service
Child Care Guide – Understand Your Child’s Behaviour
Child Behaviour is part of the Child Care Guide network, created to help families understand the “why” behind children’s actions. While Child Care Guide connects parents with local early learning services, Child Behaviour provides the research-informed guidance that sits alongside those decisions — covering tantrums, emotional regulation, social development, childcare behaviours, and age-by-age milestones. Our aim is to give parents practical, compassionate insights that make everyday challenges easier, while supporting children’s wellbeing across home, childcare and the early years of school.
Child Care Guide – Understanding the Child Care Subsidy
One of the most common questions families ask is, “How much will childcare really cost us after the subsidy?“
Our complete guide to the Child Care Subsidy explains how CCS works in Australia, including the key rules that determine both your CCS percentage and how many hours of care are subsidised. Inside, you’ll find:
- Eligibility requirements and income thresholds
- The 3 Day Guarantee and how subsidised hours are worked out
- How to apply (and the details you’ll need in myGov/Centrelink)
- Practical, real-world scenarios showing how fees, caps, and session lengths affect out-of-pocket costs
You can also use our free Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your CCS and compare different childcare options before you enrol.
Child Care Guide – Early Learning Frameworks and Educational Approaches
Choosing a childcare service isn’t just about location and cost — it’s about the kind of early learning environment you want for your child.
Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) sets out:
Together, these form the EYLF Framework which shapes high-quality early childhood education in Australia. Our in-depth guides explain how it works and how it’s used by childcare providers nationwide.
We also explore popular educational approaches, including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Steiner methods, to help you decide which philosophy best aligns with your child’s needs and your family values.
Child Care Guide – Quality Standards and the NQF Explained
Not all childcare services are the same — and that’s why Australia has a strong regulatory system in place.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) and National Quality Standard (NQS) ensure services meet clear benchmarks for safety, education, and care. Understanding how services are assessed — and what their ratings mean — is key to choosing a provider you can trust.
Our guides walk you through the NQS quality areas, the assessment process, and how to use NQS ratings when comparing services.
Child Care Guide – Tools, Resources, and Checklists for Parents
Beyond articles and guides, we offer practical resources to make your childcare journey easier:
- Childcare Fees Calculator – Estimate your CCS entitlement.
- Childcare Tour Checklist – Know what to ask and look for during a centre visit.
- Quality Rating Guide – Learn how to interpret NQS results.
- Childcare Forum – Speak with other educators, students, and parents.
These tools are designed to save you time, simplify decisions, and give you peace of mind.
Child Care Guide – Local Childcare Directories
While this site focuses on national-level childcare information and support, we also operate local childcare directories to help you find services near you. Explore childcare options in:
Each local directory is regularly updated and includes detailed profiles, contact information, and links to provider websites.
Child Care Guide – Our Mission: Trusted, Independent Childcare Information
The Child Care Guide is built on a simple promise: to give families reliable, independent, and up-to-date childcare information they can trust. We work to keep our resources current with the latest government policies, quality standards, and early learning research — so you can focus on what matters most: finding the best possible start for your child.
Child Care Guide – Stay Informed
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