All children in Australia, no matter their visa, language, culture or background, have the right to access children’s education and care. This includes long day care, preschool, kindergarten, family day care (FDC) and outside school hours care (OSHC).

Culturally and linguistically diverse families

A healthy child is a happy child, at home or at an education and care service. Some services will provide all or most of your child’s meals while they are there, while others may only supply snacks, or require you to provide all of your child’s food.

How services support good nutrition

All Child Care Subsidy (CCS) eligible families can now get 3 days of subsidised child care per week, or 72 hours a fortnight. This started on 5 January 2026 and replaces the previous activity test. These changes are known as the 3 Day Guarantee.

3 Day Guarantee: changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Child Care Subsidy rates are changing soon. 

Two children playing outdoors with balloon

In an early learning and preschool, what your child wears may also influence your child’s health, safety, comfort, and wellbeing.

Early childhood education and care