What you'll actually pay
Most families pay between $20 and $60 a day after subsidies. Here's how that works, for families across Dundas, Dundas Valley, Telopea, Oatlands, Carlingford, Rydalmere, Ermington, Northmead and Melrose Park.
One fee, everything included
Our daily fee covers everything your child needs for the day. There are no lunchboxes to pack, no extra charges for excursions, and no surprise invoices for sunscreen or nappies.
- Cooked breakfast, morning tea, hot lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack
- Nappies, wipes and sunscreen
- Hats and bedding
- All incursions and excursions
- Munch & Move program
- Daily updates and photos through the OWNA app
| Room | Daily fee |
|---|---|
| Cuddle Cubs & Tiny Tigers (Infants & Toddlers) | $174.34 |
| Jungle Explorers (Preschool) | $170.17 |
However, most families pay $20–$60 a day after subsidy.
Work out your fees with the calculator below
Indicative only. Your actual rate depends on household income, activity level and the number of children in care. Services Australia assesses your entitlement, and we can help you understand the process.
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a Commonwealth initiative designed to enhance the accessibility of early childhood education by reducing out-of-pocket costs for eligible families. As a registered provider, Little Jungle facilitates this process by receiving subsidy payments directly from the government, which are then applied to the family accounts. Consequently, families are only responsible for the remaining balance, commonly referred to as the "Gap Fee."
The 3-Day Guarantee for 2026
Starting in January 2026, the government has introduced a new policy called the 3-Day Guarantee. This change means that almost every family is now guaranteed at least seventy-two hours of subsidised care per fortnight. You no longer need to prove your work or study hours to get this base level of support. If you work or study more than forty-eight hours every two weeks, you may be able to get up to one hundred hours of support.
Child Care Subsidy questions
What is the Child Care Subsidy (CCS)?
The Child Care Subsidy is a federal government payment that reduces the cost of approved childcare for eligible Australian families. It is paid directly to your childcare provider and applied to your fees so you only ever pay the gap. The subsidy percentage depends on your combined family income, and most working families receive a meaningful reduction in their fees.
What is the 3-Day Guarantee?
From 5 January 2026, the federal government replaced the CCS activity test with the 3-Day Guarantee. All CCS-eligible families are now entitled to at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight, which is equivalent to 3 days per week, regardless of their work, study, or volunteering hours.
Do I need to be working to receive CCS?
No, not since January 2026. The 3-Day Guarantee means all CCS-eligible families receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight regardless of employment status. You no longer need to meet an activity test to access the base rate of subsidy.
How much will I actually pay per day at Little Jungle after CCS?
Most families pay between $20 to $60 per day after CCS. Your exact gap fee depends on your income, your CCS percentage, and how many days your child attends.
Can I receive both CCS and Start Strong fee relief?
Yes. CCS and Start Strong are separate programs. Eligible families can receive both simultaneously, significantly reducing their out-of-pocket childcare costs. Little Jungle is approved for both programs.
NSW Start Strong
About the program
The Start Strong program provides funding to support children aged 3–5 years, particularly in the year before school, helping reduce out-of-pocket childcare fees for eligible families. This funding ensures children can access a high-quality early learning program delivered by qualified educators, supporting their development in language, social skills, confidence, and early literacy and numeracy. For Child Care Subsidy (CCS) approved long day care services, Start Strong funding is applied after CCS has been calculated, helping to further reduce families' out-of-pocket childcare fees.
How Start Strong supports families at Little Jungle
Families enrolling at Little Jungle may be eligible for Start Strong preschool fee relief, helping make early childhood education more accessible while ensuring children receive the support they need before starting primary school.
How to access Start Strong fee relief
To receive Start Strong fee relief at Little Jungle Early Learning Centre:
- Families must complete the Start Strong for Long Day Care Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form each year.
- The declaration confirms which early childhood service will apply the fee relief for your child, as the funding can only be allocated to one service at a time.
- Once the declaration has been submitted and eligibility confirmed, the fee relief will be applied to your child's account and will appear as a reduction on your regular fee statements.
Start Strong questions
What is the Start Strong program?
Start Strong is a NSW Government fee relief program that provides additional funding to reduce childcare costs for eligible 3 and 4-year-old children on top of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It applies specifically to preschool-aged children in approved long day care centres and preschools in NSW.
Is Little Jungle an approved Start Strong provider?
Yes. Little Jungle Early Learning Centre is an approved Start Strong provider. Eligible children in our Jungle Explorers room (aged 3–6 years) can access Start Strong fee relief on top of their CCS entitlement.
Who is eligible for Start Strong fee relief?
Children aged 3 to 5 years who are enrolled at an approved Start Strong provider in NSW are generally eligible. Eligibility is not income-tested for the base rate of fee relief. Additional funding may be available for children from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with additional needs. Ask our team to confirm your child's eligibility during your tour.
How much can my family save with Start Strong?
Eligible families can save between $423 to $2,563 per year through Start Strong fee relief, on top of any CCS entitlement. The exact saving depends on your child's age, attendance pattern, hours enrolled, etc. This relief is applied directly to your fees, reducing what you pay each fortnight.
Does Start Strong apply to long day care, or only to standalone preschools?
Start Strong applies to approved long day care centres like Little Jungle, not only to standalone community preschools. Many families are unaware of this. If your child is aged 3–5 and enrolled at Little Jungle, they may be eligible for Start Strong fee relief regardless of whether you call it long day care or preschool.
How do I apply for Start Strong at Little Jungle?
Eligible families will need to complete a Fee Relief Declaration and Consent Form. Our team will guide you through the process during enrolment.
Take the first step today
Book a tour, meet our educators and see the rooms on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
