Fee Information

Fees, Subsidies and Fee Relief

We are committed to providing flexible, affordable early education that supports your family’s needs.

Flexible Daily Sessions

We offer a range of session lengths to align with your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements (each session is the same fee):

  • 9-hour session
  • 10-hour session
  • Full-day session

These options are designed to help you maximise your subsidised hours and ensure your child’s care is covered within your CCS eligibility.

Note: Session choice does not affect the daily fees, we utilise this payment model solely as a benefit to families using CCS.

Estimate your CCS entitlements using the Starting Blocks Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
Fees
Our fees differ according to age group, and remain the same regardless of your session choice. Our daily fee (listed below), includes the following:
  • All meals and snacks for the day
  • Ecoriginals nappy wipes
  • EcoZinc sunscreen, and
  • All-in-one child care management app and portal
fee included in daily fee

The daily fee for each age group is as follows – please note that this fee does not include your CCS discount. Use our calculator below to estimate your out-of-pocket cost:

  • Seedlings (ages 3 and up): $156
  • Sprouts (ages 2-3): $161
Fee Chart 2025

Casual Days: Casual days, when available, will be charged according to the chosen session window and your child’s age. 

*Note that the above fees listed DO NOT include your Child Care Subsidy and DO include the following inclusions:

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and the '3 Day Guarantee'

From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government introduced the 3 Day Guarantee, making early childhood education more accessible and affordable for families.

What this means for you:

  • All CCS-eligible families can access at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (equivalent to 3 days per week or 4 days per week when on our 9 hour session)
  • Families earning under $533,280 per year qualify for this minimum, regardless of activity level
  • Families who meet activity requirements (or have exemptions) may access up to 100 hours per fortnight
  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families can receive up to 100 hours per fortnight
  • The activity test has been replaced with recognised participation types
  • Families are still required to pay a gap fee (the difference between the subsidy and the service fee)

The 3 Day Guarantee supports children’s school readiness while helping reduce cost-of-living pressures for families.

Start Strong Fee Relief (NSW)

Our service is eligible for the Start Strong program which provides additional fee relief for families with preschool-aged children.

In 2026, fee relief is available in two tiers:

  • Maximum fee relief:
    • Up to $2,563 per year for children aged 4 and above
    • Up to $769 per year for children aged 3 years
  • Standard fee relief:
    • Up to $1,783 per year for children aged 4 and above
    • Up to $423 per year for children aged 3 years

How to access fee relief:

You must complete a fee relief declaration form for every service your child is enrolled in and nominate which service you would like to receive fee relief from. You can only access fee relief from one participating community preschool or long day care service at any given time. It is your choice which service you would like to receive fee relief from.

Ask our friendly office team for a fee relief declaration form today.

This fee relief is paid directly to our service on your behalf and applied as a reduction to your fees. Fee relief is received in addition to your CCS entitlements (if applicable)

Putting it all together

By combining flexible session options, the Child Care Subsidy, the 3 Day Guarantee, and Start Strong fee relief, we aim to make high-quality early education more accessible and affordable.

For more information about fees, subsidies, or to discuss the best option for your family, please contact us or email info@sustainableplay.com.au.

How do sessions benefit me? Check out our blog:

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