Open NowNon-Profit2026
2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services — NSW
$5K – $200K available · Rolling Applications
Department of Education
Funding under the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care program supports eligible new long day care and related approved education and care services in New South Wales to deliver affordable, quality preschool education for children in the years before school. Funding may cover fee relief and program payments for eligible 3-year-old and 4-year-old children.
Funding
$5K – $200K
Deadline
Rolling / Ongoing
Duration
2026 calendar year
Location
New South Wales
Who Can Apply
• Provider must ensure the service has service approval to operate under the relevant education and care legislation.
• Service must operate as a centre-based long day care service, or be an eligible Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service, occasional education and care service, or mobile education and care service.
• Provider must be approved to administer the Child Care Subsidy under Family Assistance Law.
• Service must be operating and reporting with a Centre Based Day Care approval through the Child Care Subsidy System.
• Service must deliver a quality early childhood education program to children aged 3 and above.
• Program must be delivered by, or for 3-year-old children developed by, a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework.
• Program must be based on the Early Years Framework.
• Provider must accept and comply with the Early Childhood Outcomes Commissioned Programs funding agreement terms and conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
• Services must take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to children in the two years before school.
• State funded mobile education and care services and mobile venues funded through the Mobile Preschool Funding Program or Start Strong for Community Preschools program are not eligible.
To be eligible, a provider must ensure its service has service approval to operate under the relevant education and care legislation, operates as an eligible centre-based or specified service type, is approved to administer the Child Care Subsidy and operates with a Centre Based Day Care approval through the Child Care Subsidy System, delivers a quality early childhood education program to children aged 3 and above delivered or developed by a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework and based on the Early Years Framework, and accepts and complies with the Early Childhood Outcomes Commissioned Programs funding agreement terms and conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Services must take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to children in the two years before school. Occasional education and care services and mobile education and care services may be eligible if they meet the criteria, but state funded mobile education and care services and their mobile venues funded through the Mobile Preschool Funding Program or Start Strong for Community Preschools program are not eligible.
What's Funded
Delivery of quality early childhood education programs for children aged 3 and above in eligible long day care, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, occasional education and care services, and mobile education and care services, including fee relief and preschool program delivery.Before you apply
Check 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services fit and evidence gaps before 31 Dec 2026
Use this non-profit grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.
Get a 48-hour grant fit auditExpected Outcomes
Improved affordability of preschool education, quality uplift in preschool education, improved outcomes for children, and increased enrolment and attendance in quality early childhood education programs in the years before school.Key Information
Applicant Types
companynon_profitindigenous_organisationother
Stage
established
Funding Purposes
communitytrainingother
Keywords
early childhood educationpreschoollong day careStart Strongfee reliefNew South Waleschildreneducation
Frequently Asked Questions
1
What is the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services?
The 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services is a non-profit grant offered by Department of Education in Australia, providing $5K – $200K in funding. Funding under the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care program supports eligible new long day care and related approved education and care services in New South Wales to deliver affordable, quality preschool education for children in the years before school. Funding may cover fee relief and program payments for eligible 3-year-old and 4-year-old children.
2
How much funding does the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services provide?
The 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services provides $5K – $200K in funding. The typical project duration is 2026 calendar year.
3
Who is eligible for the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services?
- Provider must ensure the service has service approval to operate under the relevant education and care legislation.
- Service must operate as a centre-based long day care service, or be an eligible Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Service, occasional education and care service, or mobile education and care service.
- Provider must be approved to administer the Child Care Subsidy under Family Assistance Law.
- Service must be operating and reporting with a Centre Based Day Care approval through the Child Care Subsidy System.
- Service must deliver a quality early childhood education program to children aged 3 and above.
- Program must be delivered by, or for 3-year-old children developed by, a qualified early childhood teacher in accordance with the National Quality Framework.
- Program must be based on the Early Years Framework.
- Provider must accept and comply with the Early Childhood Outcomes Commissioned Programs funding agreement terms and conditions for 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.
- Services must take reasonable steps to deliver 600 hours of quality preschool to children in the two years before school.
- State funded mobile education and care services and mobile venues funded through the Mobile Preschool Funding Program or Start Strong for Community Preschools program are not eligible.
4
When does the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services close?
Applications close on 31 Dec 2026. This is a rolling program — new rounds may open.
5
What activities are funded?
Delivery of quality early childhood education programs for children aged 3 and above in eligible long day care, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, occasional education and care services, and mobile education and care services, including fee relief and preschool program delivery.
6
How do I apply for the 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care - New Services?
Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.
Need help applying?
Beta Docs has helped founders secure $160M+ in competitive grants. Our AI platform drafts compliance-perfect applications — and our expert reviewers make sure you stand out.