Start Strong 2027: How NSW Preschool Fee Relief Works at Excel Early Learning Centres

If your child turns three or four in 2027, you may be able to cut your preschool fees at Excel through the NSW Government’s Start Strong for Long Day Care program.

Next year, eligible families can receive government-funded fee relief for children enrolled in an approved preschool program at a participating long day care centre. It sits on top of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), so it can lower your out-of-pocket costs further.

With our Box Hill and Riverstone centres opening early 2027, now is the perfect time to discover how you could save on preschool fees and make the most of the available subsidies.  

Who is eligible?

Your child needs to be enrolled in an eligible preschool program at a participating long day care centre and meet the age requirements. For 2027, that means:

• Four and above: your child turns four on or before 31 July 2027 (born on or before 31 July 2023).

• Three: your child is three but not yet four on 31 July 2027 (born between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024).

Every family’s circumstances are different, so talk to your Excel centre team to confirm whether your enrolment meets the program requirements.

How much could you save?

The amount depends on your child’s age and the funding rate they qualify for. The standard annual fee relief is:

• Up to $1,826 a year for children aged four and above.

• Up to $434 a year for children aged three.

Higher rates apply for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, and for children who meet other criteria, such as location or socio-economic factors. Under the higher rate, children aged four and above may receive up to $2,625 a year, and three-year-olds up to $788. Excel Early Learning Centre’s does not currently operate in areas that meet the location-based criteria, but Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children may still qualify for the higher rate.

These figures are the most a family could receive, not a guaranteed saving. What you receive depends on your eligibility and how the funding is applied to your fees.

Enquire with Excel Early Learning Centres to learn more.  

What does that look like each week?

The annual amount is spread across 49 weeks, whether your child attends two days or five. At the standard rate, that works out to roughly:

• $37.27 a week for a child aged four and above.

• $8.86 a week for a child aged three.

So, if your four-year-old qualifies for the standard $1,826, your preschool costs could drop by up to $37.27 a week over the 49-week funding period. Your final fees will still depend on your centre’s daily fee, your CCS entitlement and your child’s attendance.

Preschool at Excel

Our Preschool Program is designed for the year before school, when children are building the confidence and independence that make the move to big school easier. Alongside the everyday learning in the room, children can take part in extracurricular activities such as coding, dance, music and karate. These are included in our daily fee, so there are no extra charges for your child to try them.

Enquire Now for Excel Box Hill or Riverstone

How to claim the fee relief

It may not be applied automatically. Here’s what to do:

1. Complete the NSW Government’s declaration and consent form.

2. Nominate the service you want to receive the funding through. You can only nominate one service at a time, so if your child attends more than one, choose the one that suits you best.

3. Once your declaration is processed, the relief comes off your eligible fees and should show on your statement from the centre.

Make sure you use the form for the 2027 funding year when it’s released. For the latest eligibility rules, visit the NSW Government’s Start Strong for families page.

Enquire Now

Our team can walk you through our preschool program, talk about your child’s needs and work out the fees for the days you want. Call us on 1300 339 235 and ask whether your family could be eligible for NSW preschool fee relief in 2027.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSW Start Strong preschool fee relief program?
Start Strong for Long Day Care is a NSW Government program that funds eligible long day care services to reduce preschool fees for eligible three- and four-year-old children. It is separate from the Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and is designed to make early education more affordable for families.

How much can I save on preschool fees at Excel?
Under the standard 2027 rates, eligible families may receive up to $1,826 per year for a child aged four and above, or up to $434 per year for a child aged three. Higher rates may apply if your child meets additional criteria. Your actual saving depends on your eligibility and the funding applied to your fees.

Can I receive Start Strong fee relief and the Child Care Subsidy?
Yes. Start Strong is designed to work alongside CCS, so if you are eligible for both, your out-of-pocket fees can come down further. What you pay will depend on your CCS entitlement, your centre’s fees, your child’s attendance and the fee relief applied.

Does my child need to attend a certain number of days each week?
The funding is spread across 49 weeks, regardless of how many hours your child attends each week. Eligibility and the way fee relief is applied are still subject to the program rules, so speak with your Excel centre about your proposed days and they can confirm the requirements.

When does my child become eligible for the 2027 preschool fee relief?
For the standard 2027 age categories, your child must be four on or before 31 July 2027, or three but not yet four on that date. They must also be enrolled in an eligible preschool program at a participating service and meet the other program requirements.

Is fee relief available for three-year-olds?
Yes. Eligible three-year-olds may receive up to $434 per year under the standard 2027 rate. Children who qualify for the higher rate may receive up to $788 per year.

Is fee relief available for four-year-olds?
Yes. Eligible children aged four and above may receive up to $1,826 per year under the standard 2027 rate. Children who qualify for the higher rate may receive up to $2,625 per year.

How do I apply for Start Strong fee relief?
Complete the declaration and consent form and nominate the eligible early learning service you want to receive the fee relief through. The NSW Government’s Start Strong for families page has the latest instructions and the correct form for the 2027 funding year.

Is preschool fee relief available at Excel Box Hill and Riverstone?
Yes! Eligible families at Excel Early Learning Centres Box Hill and Riverstone can access NSW Preschool Fee Relief, helping to reduce the cost of preschool and make quality early learning more affordable. The amount of fee relief available depends on your child’s eligibility and enrolment.

Can I claim fee relief at more than one childcare centre?
No. You can nominate only one service at a time for your child. If your child attends more than one service, you will need to choose which one receives the funding.

Will the fee relief be paid into my bank account?
No. The service passes it on as a reduction in your eligible fees, so you won’t receive a separate cash payment. Once applied, it should appear on your fee statement.

Does the fee relief cover all my preschool fees?
No. It is a contribution towards eligible fees, not a guarantee that preschool will be free. Your remaining costs depend on your centre’s fees, the fee relief applied, your CCS entitlement and your child’s attendance.

What does the Preschool Program at Excel include?
Our Preschool Program prepares children for the move to school through play-based learning led by our educators. Extracurricular activities such as coding, music and karate are part of the program and are included in the daily fee, so there are no extra charges to add on.

How can I find out what my fees will be after the fee relief?
The best way is to contact your preferred Excel centre. The team can talk through your child’s age, your intended days of care and the relevant fee information, including how fee relief and CCS may affect your costs.

Where can I find more information about NSW preschool fee relief?
Visit the NSW Government’s Start Strong for families page for official program information, eligibility requirements and application guidance. You can also contact your nearest Excel centre to talk about our Preschool Program and your enrolment options.

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