Sydney Childcare Options
Choosing the right childcare in Sydney can feel overwhelming — not because options are limited, but because there are so many pathways available to families. Sydney offers a wide range of early education and childcare options to suit different routines, learning styles, budgets and parenting values. The challenge for most families is not finding childcare but deciding which type of service best fits their child and their lifestyle.
This page provides a clear, parent-focused overview of the main Sydney childcare options, explaining how each type works and who it suits. From long day care to family day care, outside school hours care and preschool programs, the goal is to give you clarity — and then guide you toward the specific page that matches your needs.
Understanding Childcare Options in Sydney
There are four primary types of approved early learning and care in Sydney:
- Sydney Childcare Centres (Long Day Care)
- Sydney Family Day Care
- Sydney Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
- Sydney Preschools
Each option supports children’s wellbeing and development, but they differ in learning environments, group sizes, flexibility and daily routines. The sections below explain each type in simple terms so you can compare them confidently.
Sydney Childcare Centres (Long Day Care)
Sydney childcare centres — also known as long day care — provide full-day education and care for children from birth to school age. These services operate in purpose-built or adapted learning spaces and are typically open long hours on weekdays, making them a popular choice for working families.
Centres follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and offer play-based programs delivered by qualified early childhood educators. Children learn in age-based rooms, participate in group and individual experiences, and benefit from structured routines that build confidence, social skills and independence.
Sydney Childcare Centres are best suited to families seeking:
- Consistent weekday care and longer operating hours
- A structured learning environment with a range of resources and educators
- School-readiness support before kindergarten
➡️ Continue reading on our dedicated Sydney Childcare Centres page.
Sydney Family Day Care
Sydney Family Day Care offers smaller group settings in a home-based environment. Educators are registered with approved coordination schemes and provide personalised, flexible care for small groups of children — often with mixed ages.
Family Day Care programs still follow the EYLF, but the learning rhythm is more home-like, with deeper relationship-building and plenty of individual attention. Families who prefer a calmer environment or want siblings to remain together often find this option appealing.
Sydney Family Day Care is ideal for families seeking:
- Small groups and a quieter, home-style atmosphere
- Flexibility that some centres cannot offer
- A strong, consistent bond with one educator
➡️ Continue reading on our dedicated Sydney Family Day Care page.
Sydney Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) supports children from kindergarten through the primary years. OSHC services operate before school, after school and during school holidays (vacation care). They provide supervision, activities, social development and a safe environment for school-aged children whose parents are working, studying or managing other commitments.
OSHC services follow the My Time, Our Place framework, which focuses on wellbeing, life skills, friendships and recreational learning.
Sydney OSHC is best suited to families seeking:
- Care that wraps around the school day
- A social, play-based environment for school-aged children
- Vacation care during school breaks
➡️ Continue reading on our dedicated Sydney Outside School Hours Care page.
Sydney Preschools
Sydney Preschools (or kindergarten programs delivered through early learning services) focus on early education in the two years before school. Preschools support social, emotional, literacy, numeracy and school-readiness skills, and are delivered by qualified early childhood teachers.
Hours may be shorter or more session-based than long day care, which suits families who want a strong educational program without needing full-day care.
Sydney Preschools are ideal for families seeking:
- A strong learning focus before formal schooling
- Sessions led by degree-qualified early childhood teachers
- A stepping stone into kindergarten
➡️ Continue reading on our dedicated Sydney Preschools page.
Which Childcare Option Is Right for Your Child? (Step-by-Step Guidance)
Every child is different — and so is every family. The best childcare option depends on your child’s personality, your routine, and the kind of environment you want them to grow in. Use the guidance below to narrow down the fit:
If your child thrives in structure, routine and social environments:
A Sydney Childcare Centre may be the best match, offering predictable days, age-based rooms, school-readiness programs, and large group experiences that build social confidence.
If your child prefers quieter spaces or becomes easily overwhelmed:
Sydney Family Day Care may be a better fit. Small groups and home-like settings allow for deeper connections, gentler transitions and personalised learning.
If your main need is care that wraps around the school day:
Choose Sydney Outside School Hours Care (OSHC). It provides supervised play, friendships, activities and support during the hours schools are closed but parents are still working.
If your child is in the two years before school and you want a learning-focused program:
A Sydney Preschool program may be ideal, especially if you want strong school-readiness in a shorter-day format led by early childhood teachers.
Many families use a combination of options over time — for example, long day care in the early years, followed by preschool or OSHC once school begins. There is no single “right” choice — only the one that fits your child and your lifestyle at this moment.
Quality, Standards and Affordability in Sydney
No matter which childcare option you choose, Sydney families are supported by a national system designed to protect children and maintain high standards. Every approved service must meet requirements under the National Quality Framework (NQF), is assessed against the National Quality Standard (NQS), delivers learning programs guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) or My Time, Our Place (MTOP), and may be eligible for fee support through the Child Care Subsidy (CCS).
You can learn more about each topic here:
These systems give parents confidence that early learning in Sydney is safe, nurturing and focused on meaningful development — not just supervision.
Sydney Childcare Options – FAQs
Q: Which childcare option is the most affordable?
A: Out-of-pocket costs vary by service, suburb and daily fees. However, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) applies to all four childcare types, helping families manage costs.
Q: Can I change options later?
A: Yes. Many families switch as their child’s needs change. For example, children may begin in long day care, move to preschool and later use OSHC when school begins.
Q: Do all childcare services follow the same learning framework?
A: Not exactly. Long day care and family day care use the EYLF, while OSHC uses MTOP. Preschools follow EYLF or a state-approved equivalent.
Q: Will my child learn or just play?
A: All approved services deliver play-based learning. Play is the foundation of skill development in the early years — including literacy, numeracy, social skills and problem-solving.
Final Summary
Sydney offers a diverse range of childcare options, giving families the flexibility to choose what genuinely fits their child and their circumstances. Whether you prefer structured long day care, personalised family day care, learning-focused preschool programs or school-aged OSHC, each pathway can support confidence, wellbeing and development when delivered by a quality service.
The next step is to explore the option that feels right for your family and visit our detailed pages to compare programs, environments and approaches.
