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Childcare in Goulburn

Compare Services, Fees, & Quality

Finding the best childcare in Goulburn and the surrounding towns (Yass, Marulan, Tarago, Crookwell and Gunning) can feel like a lot — different service types, fees, waitlists and quality ratings. This guide brings everything together so you can compare local options quickly, understand costs and subsidies, and feel confident about your decision.

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Childcare in Goulburn

Childcare in Goulburn – What childcare options are available?

  • Long Day Care (LDC): Full-day programs for babies through preschool age; great for working families needing consistent hours.
  • Preschool/Kindergarten: Typically 2–3 days per week during school terms; focuses on school readiness.
  • Family Day Care (FDC): Small groups in an educator’s home; flexible hours and a home-like setting.
  • Outside School Hours Care (OSHC): For school-aged children — before/after school and vacations.

Tip: If you need extended hours now and a school-readiness focus later, some families combine LDC (for hours) with Preschool (for focused learning) in the year before school.

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

Most families are eligible for CCS, which reduces your out-of-pocket fees based on household income, activity test hours, and service type.

  • Out-of-pocket cost = hourly fee – CCS% x (up to hourly cap)
  • The actual fee you pay depends on your service’s fee, your CCS percentage, and how many hours you use.
  • Some services charge above the government hourly cap — you’ll pay the difference.

Helpful links:

Childcare in Goulburn – Quality and learning: what to look for

All approved services operate under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and are rated against the National Quality Standard (NQS) across seven areas (education program, safety, environment, staffing, relationships, community partnerships, and leadership). Ratings include Exceeding, Meeting, Working Towards and more.

Many local services use the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) to guide play-based, inclusive programs focused on belonging, being and becoming.

Learn more: National Quality Framework · National Quality Standard · Early Years Learning Framework

Childcare in Goulburn - Belmore Park
Belmore Park, Goulburn

Goulburn & nearby towns: local demographics (why they matter)

Local demographics help explain service demand, fee expectations and program diversity.

Goulburn

Population: 32,053

Median age: 41

0–4 yrs: 1,829 (5.7%)

Median weekly household income: $1,466

Languages (after English): Nepali, Mandarin, Greek, Arabic, Malayalam

What this means:

These figures indicate a steady cohort of under-fives and mixed cultural backgrounds across the LGA.

Crookwell

Population: 2,686

Median weekly household income: $1,196

What this means:

Demand typically centres on LDC + sessional preschool; OSHC varies by school.

Gunning

Population: 820

0–4 yrs: 73 (8.9%)

Median weekly household income: $2,049

What this means:

Higher share of under-fives suggests healthy demand relative to size; check waitlists early.

Marulan

Population: 819

Median age: 33

Median weekly household income: $1,468

What this means:

Growing family cohort along the Hume corridor; good candidate for FDC or mixed-hours care.

Tarago

Population: 510

Median weekly household income: $2,027

What this means:

Small community with higher-than-average household income; check transport and hours fit.

Yass Valley

Population: 17,281

Median age: 43

0–4 yrs: 928 (5.4%)

Median weekly household income: $2,289

Languages (after English): German, Mandarin, Arabic, Italian, Croatian

What this means:

Higher median income and commuting patterns to Canberra can drive demand for longer hours and vacation care.

How to use this information: Higher 0–4 numbers and commuter patterns often mean stronger demand for full-day care and OSHC. Income levels can influence preferences for program extras (meals, incursions) and waitlist deposits.

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

Before you go

  • Shortlist 3–5 services close to home/work.
  • Check NQS rating, hours, fees and inclusions; confirm waitlist steps.

During the tour

  • Ask how curriculum follows the EYLF and how children’s interests shape planning.
  • Look for warm, responsive educator-child interactions and a calm, organized environment.
  • Confirm ratios, educator qualifications, allergy management and sun/water safety.

After the visit

  • Compare daily rhythm (meals, naps), communication apps, family engagement, and transition to school practices.
  • Re-check fees against your CCS estimate and ask about bond/deposit terms.

Childcare in Goulburn – FAQs

TL;DR – Find childcare in Goulburn

  • Compare LDC, Preschool, FDC and OSHC options in Goulburn, Yass, Marulan, Tarago, Crookwell and Gunning.
  • Use the CCS to reduce fees; estimate with our CCS Calculator.
  • Check NQS ratings and EYLF-aligned programs for quality and learning.
  • Local demographics show steady demand — join waitlists early for popular days.
  • Start here: 👉 Goulburn Childcare Directory

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