preschool vs long day care: what's the difference and which gets CCS?
last updated: january 2026
william samuels is a stay-at-home dad and former teacher from Adelaide. he writes about school readiness, early learning, and navigating the childcare system for mini mode.
the terms "preschool," "kindergarten," "kindy," and "long day care" get thrown around interchangeably — and every state calls things something different. it's confusing enough before you try to work out which one qualifies for the Child Care Subsidy.
here's a clear breakdown of what each option actually is, how much they cost, and where CCS applies.
what is long day care?
long day care (LDC) is centre-based care that operates full days, typically 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for most of the year (usually closing only over the Christmas-New Year period and public holidays). it caters to children from 6 weeks old through to school age.
centres are divided into age-group rooms — nursery, toddler, and preschool. the preschool room in a long day care centre delivers a structured early learning program led by a qualified early childhood teacher, covering the same educational outcomes as a standalone preschool.
the key advantage of LDC is the hours. if you work full-time, long day care covers the full working day plus commute. daily fees typically range from $110 to $160+ depending on location and the age of the child (baby rooms cost more).
what is preschool / kindergarten?
preschool (called kindergarten or kindy in some states) is a structured educational program specifically for children in the year or two before school. it focuses on school readiness — literacy, numeracy, social skills, and independence.
standalone preschools typically run shorter hours than long day care. a common schedule is 9am to 3pm, two to three days per week, during school terms only. this means they don't cover school holidays, and the hours don't suit most full-time working parents without additional care arrangements.
age requirements vary by state, but generally children access preschool in the year they turn 4 (for most states, the child needs to turn 4 by around April to June of that year).
state preschool programs explained
each state and territory runs its own funded preschool program. these are subsidised or free, but the naming and structure differ:
| state | program name | funded hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | preschool (free pre-K from 2026) | 600 hrs/year |
| VIC | funded kindergarten (3 & 4-year-old) | 5-15 hrs/week |
| QLD | kindergarten (Kindy) | 15 hrs/week |
| SA | preschool | 12 hrs/week |
| WA | kindergarten | 15 hrs/week |
| TAS / ACT / NT | preschool | 15 hrs/week |
these state-funded programs are free or heavily subsidised. Victoria is progressively rolling out free kindergarten, and NSW launched free pre-kindergarten in 2026. the trade-off is that hours are limited and they only run during school terms.
CCS eligibility: which gets the subsidy?
this is where it gets important. the Child Care Subsidy applies to care at CCS-approved services. here's how each type stacks up:
- long day care centres: yes — CCS applies. the preschool room within a long day care centre attracts CCS at the centre-based hourly rate cap of $14.63/hour
- CCS-approved standalone preschools: yes — some standalone preschools are approved for CCS. check with the service directly or on the myGov CCS provider search
- state-funded preschool/kindy programs:usually no — if the program is funded by the state government, it typically doesn't attract CCS. the state funding replaces the CCS. however, if the program is delivered within a long day care centre, the centre may charge for the full day and CCS applies to the full day fee
the practical implication: if your child attends a state-funded preschool for 15 hours/week at no cost, you won't get CCS on those hours. but if your child attends a long day care centre that includes a preschool program in its daily fee, CCS applies to the full fee.
use our Child Care Subsidy calculator to estimate your out-of-pocket costs for long day care.
cost comparison
typical annual costs (3 days/week, 48 weeks)
- long day care: $15,840 to $23,040 before CCS ($110-$160/day). after CCS at 80%: roughly $3,168 to $7,200 out-of-pocket
- state-funded preschool:$0 to $2,000/year (varies by state — many are free or low-cost). no CCS, but you don't need it
- CCS-approved standalone preschool: $4,000 to $8,000/year before CCS (shorter hours, school terms only). CCS reduces this significantly
the cheapest option on paper is often the state-funded preschool. but factor in the limited hours — if you work, you'll need additional care (family day care, grandparents, or a long day care centre for the other days), which adds cost and complexity.
which should you choose?
- both parents work full-time: long day care is usually the most practical option. the preschool room provides the same educational program, and you get full-day coverage with CCS applied
- one parent is home or works part-time: a state-funded preschool for 2-3 days per week can work well. the hours align with school hours, and the cost is minimal
- you want the specific preschool program but need longer hours: some families do both — a child attends state preschool 2 days and long day care 1-2 days. CCS applies to the long day care days
- budget is the priority: state-funded preschool is hard to beat on cost, especially in states offering free programs
frequently asked questions
can you get CCS for preschool?
yes, if the preschool is a CCS-approved service. state-funded preschool programs that are already subsidised by the government typically don't attract CCS. preschool programs within long day care centres do qualify.
what age can my child start preschool?
most states offer funded preschool for children turning 4 in the year before school. Victoria and some other states are expanding to include 3-year-old programs. check your state's specific age cutoff dates.
is the preschool room in a long day care centre the same as standalone preschool?
educationally, yes — both must have a qualified early childhood teacher and follow the Early Years Learning Framework. the difference is practical: long day care offers full-day coverage year-round, while standalone preschool usually runs shorter hours during school terms.
next steps
check what state-funded preschool options are available in your area, then compare the total cost (including any additional care needed) against a long day care centre with CCS applied. the right answer depends on your work hours, your budget, and what's available locally.