Family daycare vs long daycare and centre-based daycare

Choosing childcare is one of the bigger decisions you'll make in your child's early years, and it often comes down to two options. Family day care and long day care, also called centre-based care, are two of the most popular types of childcare in Australia.

They share plenty of common ground, but the setting your child spends their days in can feel very different. Understanding those differences makes it a lot easier to picture where your little one will be happiest.

What's the difference between family day care and long day care?

The main difference between family day care and long day care is size. Family day care happens in an educator's home with a small, mixed-age group of children, while long day care happens in a larger centre where children are usually grouped by age.

The most obvious difference is size. Child care centres are usually much bigger and busier, with children usually grouped according to age." - Wendy Boyd, School of Education at Southern Cross University

Both types of care are regulated under the National Quality Framework and rated against the National Quality Standard. Both are also approved for the Child Care Subsidy.

Here's how the two compare side by side.

What is family day care?

Family day care is regulated early childhood education and care delivered in an educator's own home. Here's what to expect.

• Small groups. An educator can care for no more than seven children at a time, with a maximum of four preschool age or under.
• The educator's own kids count. Their children under 13 are included in the ratio if no other adult is there to look after them.
• A wide age range. Educators care for babies through to primary school-aged children, and many offer before and after school care.
• Support behind the scenes. Every educator is registered with an approved family day care service, which monitors and supports them.
• Qualified educators. New educators must hold an approved Certificate III or higher before they start.

What is long day care?

Long day care, or centre-based day care, is early childhood education and care delivered in a purpose-built centre. Here's what to expect.

• Larger centres. Centres care for more children at once, in rooms grouped by age and stage of development.
• Babies to school age. Most centres take children from around six weeks old until they start school.
• Long opening hours. Most centres open for 10 to 12 hours a day, five days a week, all year round apart from public holidays and planned closures.
• A team of educators. Several educators work in each room, and ratios are set by the age of the children.

What are the benefits of family day care?

The biggest benefit of family day care is the small, home-like group, where your child can build a close bond with one educator. Many families also value the flexible hours.

• A small group. With only a handful of children, your child gets plenty of one-on-one attention.
• A home-like setting. Some children settle more easily in a familiar, homely environment.
• One consistent educator. Seeing the same person every day helps children feel secure.
• Mixed ages. Younger children learn from older ones, and siblings can often be cared for together.
• Flexible hours. Many educators offer early starts and late finishes, and some offer weekend care.

"Family day care is an important alternative childcare choice for many families as it may offer more flexible hours of care, adjustable session lengths or better cater to cultural and linguistic needs." - Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair of the ACCC

What are the benefits of long day care?

The main benefits of long day care are a structured routine and plenty of children the same age to play with. Centres also tend to have more space and equipment.

• A predictable routine. A regular daily rhythm can help children prepare for the structure of school.
• Same-age friendships. Being grouped with children of a similar age gives kids plenty of chances to practise social skills.
• Reliable cover. If an educator is sick, the centre finds a replacement, so you won't need back-up care.
• Handy extras. Many centres include meals and nappies in their fees.
• Room for siblings. Larger capacity can make it easier to have all your children at the same centre.

Is family day care cheaper than long day care?

Family day care is often cheaper than long day care, although fees vary between educators and centres. These are the main cost differences to know about.

• Average fees. In its 2023 childcare inquiry, the ACCC found national average fees of $95.45 a day for family day care and $133.96 a day for centre-based day care in the September quarter of 2023.
• Hourly vs daily. Family day care is commonly charged by the hour, while most centres charge a daily session fee whether your child stays for the full day or not.
• Extras. Centres often include meals and nappies, while some family day care educators charge for them separately.
• Child Care Subsidy. CCS applies to both. From 6 July 2026 the hourly rate cap is $14.08 for family day care and $15.19 for centre-based day care for children below school age.

Is family day care or long day care better for babies and toddlers?

Neither family day care nor long day care is better for every baby or toddler. It depends on your child's temperament and the quality of the individual service.

Many parents choose family day care for the early years and move to a centre later on. Wendy Boyd notes that "Many families prefer the home-like family environment of family day care for their children, especially when they are young", then move them to long day care once they're old enough to want more friends. A quieter child might thrive with one familiar educator, while a social, busy toddler may love the energy of a bigger room.

How do parents choose between family day care and long day care?

Hearing how other parents made the call can help you picture what each type of care looks like in real life. In this video, Anika and Kate share their own childcare stories, including what shaped their choices and how they balanced cost and flexibility with the relationships they built with educators.

When you visit services, use our family day care checklist or our checklist for childcare centre tours so you can compare them side by side.

How do you find family day care or long day care near you?

You can find and compare local services on Care for Kids by searching your suburb or postcode. Search for family day care or child care centres near you, then compare NQS ratings and parent reviews.

If you're still not sure which type of care suits your family, our Child Care Compass can point you in the right direction.

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FAQs

Do family day care educators need qualifications?

Family day care educators need qualifications. New educators must hold an approved Certificate III or higher before they start, along with current first aid qualifications.

Can you switch from family day care to long day care?

Families can switch from family day care to long day care at any time, as long as the centre has a place. Joining a centre's waitlist a few months ahead gives your child the best chance of a smooth move.

Is family day care open during school holidays?

Family day care is often open during school holidays, and many educators offer vacation care for school-aged children. Opening days are set by each educator, so ask about their holiday closures when you enrol.