Whether you’re a new parent or looking to transition your little one to a nurturing and educational environment, we’ve got you covered. Find services across Australia.
Or search by region:
New South Wales Western Australia Victoria ACT Queensland Northern Territory South Australia TasmaniaIn Australia we have 5,265 Family Day Care services
The average cost is $11.31 hourly, $113.13 daily (10 hours)
The average National Standard Rating (NQS) is Meeting National Quality Standard.
Family day care and long day care are two of the most popular types of childcare in Australia, and on paper they can look pretty similar. Both are regulated under the National Quality Framework, and both attract the Child Care Subsidy. Day to day, though, your child's experience can be very different. One happens in an educator's home with a handful of children of different ages. The other happens in a purpose-built centre, with children grouped by age and a team of educators. Early childhood researchers say group size is the most obvious difference, but it's far from the only one. Find out how the two compare on routine and socialisation, and what each one costs. We also share what other parents weighed up when they made the call, so you can choose the setting where your child is most likely to thrive.
Family day care has a lot going for it. Your child is cared for in a real home with a small group of children, by one educator who gets to know your whole family. Many educators offer early starts and late pick-ups, and some even provide weekend or overnight care for shift workers. There are trade-offs to think about too. When your educator is sick or on holiday you may need back-up care, and a home has less space and equipment than a purpose-built centre. Places can also be harder to find, with the number of children in family day care falling sharply over the past decade. Find out how many children an educator can care for and what the main advantages and disadvantages are, with insights from early childhood researchers. Then use what you learn to ask the right questions when you visit educators near you.
Walking into a family day care educator's home for the first time can feel a bit strange. It's someone's home, and you're trying to picture your little one spending their days there. Knowing what to look for makes the visit a lot easier. This checklist covers the questions experts say matter most, from how the home is kept safe and clean to how the educator handles separation anxiety and what support they get from their approved service. You'll also find out how to check a service's National Quality Standard rating, what to ask about fees and the Child Care Subsidy, and the warning signs that should make you think twice. Take it along on your visit and tick off what you see as you go. If something doesn't feel right, it's okay to keep looking until you find an educator you trust with your little one.
Childcare fees are one of the biggest factors in deciding where your little one goes, and the price differences between options can be bigger than you'd expect. Family day care is often one of the more affordable choices, partly because many educators charge by the hour, so you only pay for the time your child is in care. A centre-based day usually costs more but includes extras like meals and nappies. Nannies, au pairs and babysitters bring care into your home, but they don't attract the Child Care Subsidy, so you pay the full cost yourself. Find out what each type of childcare costs on average and how the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate caps work from July 2026. There are also tips on the hidden extras to ask about, so the fee you're quoted is the fee you'll pay.
