Long day care in Australia is generally for children from birth (as young as 6 weeks) up to 5 or 6 years old. These centers operate on weekdays, often from early morning to evening, and cater to infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children before they start primary school.
In Australia, child care is a common term used to refer to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) and is available for children aged from birth to 5 years of age. Most child care centres across the G8 Education network are long day care centres operating Monday to Friday for children aged from 6 weeks to 6 years.
Most daycare centres will typically cater to children from 6 months old. This is the youngest age for daycare, ideal for working parents. At this age, infants require highly attentive care for feeding, hygiene, naps, and soothing routines for toddlers.
Daycare can start as early as 6 weeks old, but there's no single "best" age, with many experts suggesting 1-2 years old for social development or waiting until age 3-4 for school readiness, depending on family needs, child's temperament, and the quality of the childcare environment. Factors like parental work schedules, your child's adaptability, and access to high-quality care greatly influence the ideal starting age for your family.
Neither daycare nor staying home is universally better for a 2-year-old; the best choice depends on the child's temperament, family needs, and the quality of care, with daycare offering structured social skills and learning, while staying home provides consistent parental bonding, but both can foster development if the environment is supportive and enriching. A social child might thrive in daycare's group setting, while an introverted child might prefer home, though consistent parental involvement at home is key for secure attachment.
The "3-3-3 Rule" for toddlers is a simple mindfulness and grounding technique to calm anxiety by engaging their senses: name 3 things they can see, identify 3 sounds they can hear, and move 3 different parts of their body (like hands, feet, head). This helps shift focus from overwhelming thoughts to the present moment, acting as a "brain reset" for emotional regulation during meltdowns or stress, making it a useful tool for building emotional intelligence and control.
The main difference between preschool vs daycare is the structure, adherence to the Early Years Learning Framework, and preparation for school readiness.
Most experts recommend starting toddler daycare between 18 months and 3 years, when children begin developing independence, social skills, and are emotionally ready for structured group settings.
All children are different! Babies can typically be enrolled in daycare as early as six weeks of age — but it all depends on what feels right for your family.
All choices are valid, and the right decision ultimately depends on your child and your family's unique situation. That said, a nursery can offer a nurturing, stimulating, and enriching environment for many 2-year-olds, helping them to thrive in areas such as early learning, communication, and emotional development.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as all children and families are different. However, many experts suggest that the toddler years (around 1-3 years old) can be a beneficial time to start daycare, as children begin to engage more with peers and can benefit from the social environment.
Age groups can vary from centre to centre, but generally we cater for children aged from six weeks to school age. You can find out more about age groups at your local centres by using the Find a centre tool.
When Do Kids Start Daycare? Minimums, Earliest Starts, and Limits
Children who have two or more days have a continuity that helps them build friendships that encourages a sense of security. Seeing each other regularly from a young age assists in creating those connections and supports building those key relationships and social skills.
Generally between 8-9 months little ones are ready and willing to engage in activities that daycare settings offer. Waiting until a child is older, around 18 months to 2 years of age, can often times be more overwhelming for the little one.
There isn't a universal “perfect” age to start daycare. For some families, 1 a 1-year-old works best. Others find age 2–3 to be the sweet spot for learning and social growth. Still, many wait until age 3–4 for smoother school readiness.
While there's no right or wrong answer, most pediatricians recommend children attend daycare beginning around one year old.
There's no single "best" age for daycare, as it depends on the child and family, but research suggests ages 2-3 years offer great social and cognitive benefits, while starting around 18 months helps with independence and routine building, though some children benefit from waiting until 3+ for smoother school readiness. Infants (under 12 months) can thrive in high-quality care, but some studies show potential negative behavioral effects compared to waiting, while starting toddlers (1-3) builds confidence and communication skills, though separation anxiety can be higher.
The "9-minute rule" in parenting, or the 9-Minute Theory, suggests that focusing on three specific 3-minute windows each day creates significant connection and security for children: the first three minutes after they wake up, the three minutes after they return from school/daycare, and the last three minutes before sleep, emphasizing distraction-free, quality time to boost well-being and reduce parental guilt.
US researchers found that cortisol levels were higher in children in daycare compared with children at home and that 63% (n = 151) in daycare had raised cortisol levels, of whom they considered 40% were stressed.
Rote counting: around age 2
Also at about 2 years old, children often begin memorizing numbers from one to 10 in sequence and attempting to recite them from memory.
Childcare in Australia varies widely, averaging around $120-$200 per day for long day care centres before subsidies, but costs drop significantly with the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) based on family income and hours needed, with some paying as little as $0.71/hour out-of-pocket. Rates differ by care type: nannies ($30-45/hr), family day care ($8-17/hr), preschool ($45-80/day), and OSHC ($15-45/session).
Your Child's Age and Development
Preschool is likely the right choice. 4–5 years old and heading to kindergarten soon? Pre-K will give them the skills and confidence they need.
Every CCS-eligible family gets 72 hours/fortnight subsidised (approx. 3 days per week) from Jan 2026, no activity test required. No more 0 or 1 day limits – everyone is guaranteed three subsidised days of care.