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Childcare in Sydney

Compare Services, Fees & Quality

Finding the best childcare in the Sydney region (including metropolitan suburbs east, west and south of the city) can feel complex — with different centre types, fee levels, waitlists and quality ratings. This guide brings the essentials together so you can efficiently compare local options, understand costs and subsidies, and feel confident about your choice.

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Childcare in Sydney

Childcare in Sydney – What childcare options are available?

  • Long Day Care (LDC): Full-day programs for babies through to preschool age; very suitable for working families needing reliable hours.
  • Preschool/Kindergarten: Usually 2–3 days per week during school terms; targeted at school readiness.
  • Family Day Care (FDC): Small group care in an educator’s home; flexibility and home-style environment.
  • Outside School Hours Care (OSHC): For primary-school aged children — before/after school and during school holidays.

Tip: If you need extended hours now, and want a school-focus later, combining LDC and Preschool can be a smart strategy.

Childcare in Sydney – Fees, costs and the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Most Sydney-area families will be eligible for the CCS, which reduces your out-of-pocket childcare costs based on household income, hours of work/study, and service type.
Out-of-pocket cost = hourly fee – (CCS% × hourly cap up to limit)
Your final fee depends on the centre’s hourly rate, your subsidy percentage and how many hours you use. Be aware: many services in metropolitan Sydney may charge rates above the government cap — you’ll be responsible for the difference.

Helpful links:

Childcare in Sydney – Quality & learning: what to look for

All approved services function under the NQF and are assessed against the NQS across key areas: educational program & practice, health & safety, physical environment, staffing etc. Many centres will align their curriculum with the EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) to deliver inclusive, play-based learning focusing on belonging, being and becoming.

Childcare in Sydney - Sydney Opera House with the Harbour Bridge behind it.

Greater Sydney

Population: 5,231,147

Median age: 37

0–4 yrs: 312,364 (6.0%)

Median weekly household income: $2,077

Languages (after English): Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Hindi

What this means:

Large, diverse population with strong demand across all care types; plan for waitlists and consider centres with bilingual programs.

City of Sydney

Population: 211,632

Median age: 34

0–4 yrs: 7,460 (3.5%)

Median weekly household income: $2,212

Languages (after English): Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Spanish, Indonesian

What this means:

Inner-city families often need extended hours and CBD-friendly locations; expect higher fees and strong demand for infant rooms.

Sydney – South West

Population: 1,301,450

Median age: 35

0–4 yrs: 84,929 (6.5%)

Median weekly household income: $1,745

Languages (after English): Arabic, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Hindi, Cantonese

What this means:

Higher share of under-fives supports strong LDC demand; look for centres with multilingual staff and OSHC near primary schools.

Blacktown

Population: 396,776

Median age: 34

0–4 yrs: 29,907 (7.5%)

Median weekly household income: $2,107

Languages (after English): Punjabi, Hindi, Tagalog, Arabic, Gujarati

What this means:

Very family-heavy LGA with the highest share of under-fives in this set; join waitlists early and compare inclusions (meals, nappies) to manage costs.

How to use this information: Bigger under-five cohorts and commuter corridors mean strong demand for full-day care and OSHC. Income levels influence appetite for extras and deposits. Use CCS estimates to compare real out-of-pocket costs.

Childcare in Sydney – How to choose: a quick checklist for centre visits

Before you go:

  • Short-list 3–5 services within commuting distance (or near work/school run routes).
  • Check NQS rating, operating hours, fees/inclusions and wait-list process.

During the tour:

  • Ask how the centre aligns with the EYLF and how children’s interests are integrated into planning.
  • Look for nurturing, consistent educator–child interactions and an environment that’s organised and calm despite higher enrolment numbers.
  • Confirm ratio staffing, qualifications, inclusions, allergy/special needs provisions and sun/safety policies.

After the visit:

  • Compare program structure (meals, sleep/rest, excursions), communication tools (apps, portfolios), transitions to school practices.
  • Re-visit fees vs CCS estimate; enquire about bond/deposit, permanent vs casual usage terms, cancellation/withdrawal policy.

Childcare in Sydney – FAQs

TL;DR – Find childcare in Sydney:

  • Compare LDC, Preschool, FDC and OSHC options across Greater Sydney suburbs.
  • Use the CCS to reduce your fees — estimate your subsidy early.
  • Check NQS ratings and EYLF-aligned curriculum for quality and learning.
  • The local demographics show a solid under-five cohort and many working families — demand is high in many areas, so get onto wait-lists early for top services.
    Start here: 👉 Sydney Childcare Directory
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