In the pursuit of providing quality early childhood education, the Australian government has implemented the Childcare Subsidy (CCS) Preschool Fee Relief Program. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families and ensure that every child has access to high-quality preschool education. The fee relief for long day care will continue into 2024 through the Start Strong Affordable Preschool initiative.
Understanding CCS Preschool Fee Relief:
The CCS Preschool Fee Relief Program is a government initiative designed to support families with the cost of preschool education. It is part of the broader Childcare Subsidy scheme, which provides financial assistance to eligible families to help cover the costs of approved childcare services.
From January 2024, all NSW families will be eligible for:
- up to $4,220 per year in fee relief for three, four and five-year-olds attending a community or mobile preschool
- up to $2,110 per year in fee relief for four and five-year-olds attending preschool in a long day care setting on top of their Childcare Subsidy payment
- Families may save up to $2,110 a year for eligible children aged 4 and above and up to $500 a year for children aged 3 in eligible long day cares in 2024.
This is in addition to Australian Government Childcare Subsidy payments, which most families in long day care services are eligible to receive.
Eligibility
- To be eligible for the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief program, a child will need to be at least 4 years old on or before 31 July 2023 and not be receiving the fee relief from another service.
- All NSW families are eligible regardless of Citizenship or residency status. The Start Strong funding is additional to and will not affect families’ Childcare Subsidy (CCS) payments.
How do I access the fee relief?
If you are wondering how to claim the Start Strong Affordable Preschool fee relief, contact our enrolments team at [email protected] or 1300 668 993 to receive the fee relief declaration form. Families are required to complete a declaration form to nominate the centre they would like to receive fee relief from. You can only receive this fee relief at one centre at a time. This is confirmed by the completion of the declaration form.
FAQ
What is Start Strong Preschool Funding?
Start Strong Preschool Funding is a New South Wales Government initiative to help make Preschool more affordable, reducing the stress for families across NSW.
When is new Start Strong Funding available from?
The new Start Strong Funding will commence in January 2024 and continue throughout 2024.
Can families receive Start Strong Funding at Young Academics?
Yes, Young Academics is participating in Start Strong funding at all services.
How much is the Start Strong payment?
For eligible children aged 4 and 5, the Start Strong payment is $2,110 per child with a minimum 2 day booking per week on average (600+ hours of care). This equates to $40.57 per week. If less than a 2-day booking per week, you will be eligible for 67% of the funding. For eligible children aged 3, the Start Strong Payment will be $500 per child. Full details from the NSW Government are yet to be released.
Who is eligible for Start Strong Funding?
NSW children who are 3 years old on or before 31 July 2024 can receive funding at one service. More information on payments and eligibility criteria can be found on the NSW Government Start Strong Funding webpage.
To find out more information download the Preschool Fee Relief in Long Day Care PDF
