Understanding Early Childhood Education

A simple guide to how early learning works in Australia - from play-based learning and development to the role of educators and what quality care really looks like.

What is the best age to start childcare?

There’s no single “best” age to start childcare and that’s often the part parents find hardest. The right time depends on your child, your family and the quality of care available. Children can benefit from early learning at many different ages, from infancy through to the preschool years, and outcomes are shaped far more by the environment and relationships than by timing alone. Whether you’re starting earlier than planned or waiting until later, what matters most is that your child feels safe, supported and able to build strong connections with the people caring for them.