2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care NSW

This program provides funding to deliver affordable, quality preschool education to children aged 3 and above who are enrolled in eligible long day care services in New South Wales.
Open
Closes in 148 days

Closing date: Thursday 31 December 2026 Thu 31 Dec 2026

What do you get?

Funding between $5,000 to $200,000.

Who is this for?

Eligible long day child care services in NSW.

Overview

This program aims to:

  • improve affordability of preschool education
  • support quality uplift in preschool education
  • drive improved outcomes for children
  • incentivise increased enrolment and attendance in quality early childhood education programs in the years before school.

Check if you can apply

To be considered eligible for funding, a provider must:

  • have service approval for its service/s to operate under relevant legislation
  • be approved to operate a service and administer the Child Care Subsidy under the Family Assistance Law and be operating and reporting as a Centre Based Day Care (CBDC) approval through the Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS)
  • deliver a quality early childhood education program to children aged 3 and above, meeting relevant criteria.

Apply now

Apply for the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care NSW

Find out more about your eligibility and how to apply.

Learn how to apply

Contact information