Long Day Care vs Family Day Care
Choosing between long day care vs family day care comes down to setting, group size and what your family needs day to day. Both are regulated under the same national framework and both attract Child Care Subsidy. We run a long day care centre, so we have been careful to set out family day care's real strengths too.
Both models can offer warm, high-quality care. The best choice depends on your child's temperament, your working hours, and what is available near you. This guide compares them fairly, point by point. More decision guides are in our parent resources library.
The two models explained
Long day care is centre-based care for children from babies to school age, with children grouped into rooms by age and a team of educators. Family day care is care for small groups of children, usually in an educator's own home, as part of an approved family day care service that supports and monitors its educators.
Both must follow the National Quality Framework and are assessed against the National Quality Standard.
Family day care groups often mix ages, from babies to school-age children in the same home.
Long day care centres usually have separate rooms and routines for each age group.
Family day care services must operate at least 48 weeks a year, though individual educators set their own days.
At a glance
- Long day care
- Centre, age-based rooms
- Family day care
- Home, small mixed group
- Both
- NQF regulated, CCS
Same rules, different settingsRatios and group sizes
NSW centres staff babies at 1:4, two-year-olds at 1:5 and children from three up to preschool age at 1:10. In family day care, one educator can care for up to seven children, with no more than four of them preschool age or under.
| Feature | Long day care | Family day care |
|---|---|---|
| Ratio, under 2 | 1 educator to 4 children | Up to 7 children in total, no more than 4 preschool age or under |
| Ratio, 2 to 3 | 1 to 5 | Same overall limit |
| Ratio, 3 to preschool age | 1 to 10 | Same overall limit |
| Group | Age-based rooms | Small mixed-age group |
| Setting | Purpose-built centre | Educator's home or venue |
| CCS hourly cap, under school age | $15.19 | $14.08 |
Ratios from ACECQA's educator to child ratios page. Caps are Services Australia's 2026-27 rates. In a centre, ratios apply across the whole service, and there are always several adults on site.
Environments and resources
A long day care centre is purpose-built, with separate age-appropriate rooms, larger outdoor areas, and a wide range of equipment. Family day care happens in a real home, which many young children find calm and familiar, with outings to playgrounds, libraries and playgroups adding variety.
Centres often offer extras such as cooking classes, sport and language sessions, and specialised spaces. At Lead, these are included in the daily fee.
A home setting can feel gentler for babies and children who find big groups overwhelming.
Centres have several educators on site, so there is always someone to step in if one is busy or unwell.
Family day care educators are visited and supported by their service's coordinators.
Educator qualifications in each
In long day care, half or more of the ratio educators need a diploma, or to be studying for one, and the rest a Certificate III. Centres must also have an early childhood teacher, with the amount of teacher time depending on how many children attend. Family day care educators must hold or be working towards a Certificate III.
Family day care services employ coordinators, who hold a diploma, to support and monitor educators.
Both models require background checks, including a Working with Children Check, and trained first aiders.
Our team's qualifications range from Certificate III to degrees, and everyone is trained in first aid, CPR and child protection. Ask us about our team, or call (02) 7238 8668.
Cost and CCS in both
Both approved long day care and family day care attract Child Care Subsidy. For 2026-27, the hourly rate cap for children under school age is $15.19 in centre-based day care and $14.08 in family day care. Your subsidy percentage applies to your hourly fee or the cap, whichever is lower.
In the March quarter 2026, the national average hourly fee was $14.50 in centre-based day care and $13.90 in family day care.
Compare what each fee includes. Centre fees often cover meals, nappies and extras; family day care fees may or may not.
From January 2026, family day care gap fees are paid to the service provider, not the educator.
Use our childcare cost estimator to see your likely gap fee at Lead.
2026-27 hourly caps
- Centre-based
- $15.19
- Family day care
- $14.08
- Applies to
- Lower of fee or cap
Compare inclusionsFlexibility and hours
Long day care centres keep set opening hours, typically covering a full working day, and stay open when an individual educator is sick or on leave. Family day care can be more flexible, and some educators offer early starts, late finishes or weekend care, though their own holidays and sick days mean you may need backup.
Our St Ives centre runs weekdays from seven in the morning until six at night.
Ask a family day care service how they cover care when your educator is away.
Both models expect you to book regular days, though some offer casual care when places allow.
Which families each suits
Long day care often suits families who want consistent hours, a structured preschool program, lots of children to play with, and several educators on hand. Family day care often suits families who want a small, homely group, one consistent carer, siblings together, or hours outside a standard day. Tick what matters to you.
Tick your priorities to see which model they point towards.
A general guide only. Visit both types of care before you decide.Questions to ask either way
Whichever model you visit, the same core questions reveal a lot about quality. Ask about the service's National Quality Standard rating, staff turnover, how educators communicate with families, the daily routine, and what the fee includes. Then watch how educators talk to children.
What is your NQS rating, and when were you last assessed?
Which educators would my child see most days, and how long have they worked here?
What happens if the educator is sick or on holiday?
What does the fee include: meals, nappies, extras?
Our checklist, how to choose a childcare centre, has 20 questions to take on a tour. Also see preschool vs daycare.
Centre or home, answered
Is family day care cheaper?+
Sometimes, but not always. In the March quarter 2026, the national average hourly fee was $13.90 for family day care and $14.50 for centre-based care. The CCS hourly cap is lower for family day care, and inclusions differ, so compare your actual out-of-pocket cost.
Which has better ratios?+
It depends on your child's age. For babies, long day care's 1 to 4 ratio and family day care's limit of four preschool-age children are similar. For older preschoolers, family day care groups are usually smaller than a centre's 1 to 10 ratio, but centres have more adults on site overall.
Can CCS be used for both? Yes+
Yes. Approved long day care centres and approved family day care services both attract Child Care Subsidy. The hourly rate caps differ, $15.19 for centre-based care and $14.08 for family day care for children under school age in 2026-27, and your subsidy applies to the lower of the fee or the cap.
See long day care in person at our St Ives centre.
See a long day care centre up close
Tour our rooms, meet the educators and ask anything.