Start Strong for Long Day Care
Start Strong for Long Day Care (LDC) directly supports quality preschool delivery across NSW. This funding is designed to reduce preschool fees, making 600 hours of early childhood education more affordable for families.
In 2024, families can access fee relief for preschool-aged children through the Start Strong program.
Under Start Strong, LDC services and Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services (MACS) will receive funding to support children aged 3 and above.
LDC services which are listed on the Australian Government's Child Care Subsidy System (CCSS) and regulated under the National Quality Framework are eligible to receive Start Strong LDC funding.
Further information
For further information visit the 2024 Start Strong for LDC program guidelines webpage.
Frequently asked questions and answers are available on the 2024 Start Strong for LDC FAQs webpage.
Services are not required to apply for this program. The department will conduct relevant checks to identify and confirm the eligibility of services. Eligible services will be contacted by the department to confirm funding arrangements.
In 2024, families may save up to $2,110 per year in fee relief for children aged 4 and above, and up to $500 per year in fee relief for children aged 3.
The declaration and consent form (PDF 93 KB) and template letter (PDF 130 KB) for 2024 Start Strong for LDC are available and can be provided to the families of eligible children aged 3 and above.
Families must complete a declaration and consent form (PDF 93 KB) to access fee relief. This form will help the family inform your service whether they would like to receive fee relief from you and provides consent for their child’s data to be shared as outlined in the privacy note.
Families will need to complete a form for each service their child is enrolled. Declaration and consent forms should be completed prior to children attending your service in 2024. This will ensure fee relief is provided to families from the first week your service operates in 2024.
To assist services to communicate the declaration and consent form to families, a template letter (PDF 93 KB) that services can download and place on their letterhead is available. This letter explains the process to access fee relief and how and why the declaration form must be filled out.
Services will be required to provide data to the NSW government about children who are accessing fee relief. A document outlining these requirements will be released soon and shared with third-party-software providers.
From 2023, there will be a 2 year trial of program funding for LDC services providing preschool programs to 3 year old children.
Start Strong for LDC 3 year old trial (3YO Trial) supports services to improve the quality of preschool programs for 3 year old children. This is delivered through the Trial Payment in 2023 and the 3YO Program Trial Payment in 2024.
Visit 2024 Start Strong for LDC program guidelines for more information.
From 2024, there will be a 2 year trial of $500 per child of fee relief for 3 year old children enrolled at an eligible LDC service.
This builds on existing fee relief delivered through Start Strong of up to $2,110 per child for children aged 4 and above attending eligible preschool programs in LDC..
The 2024 Start Strong for LDC program guidelines have been updated to include information about fee relief for 3 year old children, including program’s activities, requirements, objectives, outcomes and evaluation approach.
Finding an early childhood education and care provider
Visit our Choosing a quality service page to help find early childhood education and care providers closest to your home or work.
You should contact services directly for information on their funding arrangements and enrolment availability. You can contact providers using the details in the search results.
Contact information
Early Childhood Education - Information and Enquiries
- 1800 619 113
- ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au