In Summary
The 3 Day Childcare Guarantee gives eligible families more flexibility when accessing subsidised childcare. For our families at Mini Masterminds centres, it may also be an opportunity to review their current arrangements and consider whether an extra day could benefit their child.
When we spoke with our team about how the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee affects our families, our Brighton Le Sands Centre Director said “Many of our families aren’t sure what they’re entitled to. They’ve heard about the 3 Day Guarantee but don’t know if it applies to them, or what it would mean for their weekly fees.”
To combat this, at Mini Masterminds Brighton-Le-Sands, and across our other centres, our team sits down with families, explains how the guarantee works and supports them in discovering how increasing their child’s attendance from one or two days to three can provide greater consistency while helping families make the most of their childcare subsidy.
The 3 Day Childcare Guarantee provides eligible families with at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care per fortnight, regardless of their level of recognised activity.
This is generally equivalent to three days of childcare per week, although the number of hours covered will depend on the length of your centre’s sessions.
For families looking for childcare in Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Kyeemagh, Monterey, Ramsgate and Banksia, this means you could access up to three days of subsidised care a week for your child, no matter how many hours you work, study or volunteer. How much subsidy you receive will still depend on your family income and the fees your centre charges.
Every family is different, and three days of childcare won’t necessarily be the right fit for everyone. However, for families who can accommodate an additional day, more regular attendance can help children become familiar with their surroundings, build relationships and feel comfortable within their early learning environment.
Attending childcare more frequently can give children additional opportunities to:
For parents and carers, an additional day can also help accommodate work, study, appointments and other family commitments. Belonging is one of the three principles at the heart of the Early Years Learning Framework our curriculum is built on, and it grows with familiarity. The more regularly a child is with the same educators and the same friends, the more that sense of belonging has room to take hold.
For some families, making the most of the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee may mean increasing their child’s attendance from two days to three.
At Mini Masterminds Brighton-Le-Sands, we understand that family routines can change. A parent might return to work, take on different hours or simply find that their current childcare arrangements no longer suit their week.
A child who is already settled into the centre, enjoys spending time with their educators and friends, and is familiar with the weekly routine may benefit from having another day to participate in the early learning program.
Where availability allows, adding a third day can give children more opportunities to engage in learning experiences throughout the week, while giving families greater flexibility as their routines change.
An additional day also means children can enjoy more of the activities offered at the centre that are offered on different days, including Mini Chefs, Mini Linguistics, Mini Champions (sports) and Mini Yoga, as well as special incursions and excursions.
If you’re considering increasing your child’s childcare days, there are a few things worth thinking about:
Availability can vary between rooms and days, so it’s worth speaking with your childcare centre about the options available.
The 3 Day Childcare Guarantee gives eligible families greater access to subsidised early childhood education and care. While some families may prefer to maintain their existing arrangements, others may find that an additional day better suits their child’s routine and their family’s needs. Click here to learn more about the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee.
At Mini Masterminds Brighton-Le-Sands, we’re here to help you explore your options. Whether you’re looking for one, two, three or more days of childcare, speak with our Centre team about current availability and finding a routine that works for your family. Individual learning, quality education and genuine care are what we bring to every child who walks through our doors, whether that is one day a week or five.
Looking for childcare near Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Kyeemagh, Monterey, Ramsgate and Banksia? We would love to welcome you to tour our Centre, click here to book a tour at a time that suits you!
What is the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee?
It gives eligible families at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care per fortnight, whatever their level of recognised activity. That works out to roughly three days of care a week.
Do I need to be working or studying to get three days?
No. The guarantee applies regardless of how many hours you work, study or volunteer. If your activity levels already give you a higher entitlement, you keep that higher entitlement.
Does this mean three days of free childcare?
No. The guarantee sets the number of hours that can be subsidised, not the percentage of your fees that is covered. Your subsidy rate still depends on your family income, and you pay the gap between the subsidy and your centre’s fees.
How many hours does three days cover at Brighton-Le-Sands?
The number of subsidised hours you can use depends on the length of your sessions. Our Centre team can show you how your days fit within your entitlement so there are no surprises on your fee statement.
How do I find out if I’m eligible?
Your Child Care Subsidy details in your Centrelink account through myGov are the best place to check your entitlement. If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, our Centre team is happy to go through it with you. Families across Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Kyeemagh, Monterey, Ramsgate and Banksia are welcome to drop in and ask.
My child is at Brighton-Le-Sands two days a week. Can we add a third day?
Where availability allows, yes. Availability can differ between rooms and days, so speak with our Centre team about which days are open.
What would my child do on an extra day?
They would have another day to take part in the centre’s program, including Mini Chefs, Mini Linguistics, Mini Champions and Mini Yoga, as well as special incursions and excursions that run on different days of the week.
Is three days the right choice for every family?
Not necessarily. Some families prefer to keep their current arrangements, and that’s fine. The guarantee gives you the option, and we can talk through what suits your child’s routine and your family’s week.
When did the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee start?
It started on 5 January 2026, replacing the Child Care Subsidy activity test that previously set how many subsidised hours a family could access.
Who is eligible for the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee?
Every family eligible for the Child Care Subsidy is covered, which currently means families earning under $533,280 a year. There is no longer any requirement to prove hours of work, study or volunteering to access the first 72 hours a fortnight.
Can I get more than 72 hours of subsidised care a fortnight?
Yes. Families who meet the activity requirements or hold a valid exemption can still access 100 hours a fortnight per child, as can families receiving Additional Child Care Subsidy. Families caring for a First Nations child automatically receive 100 hours.
Does the guarantee mean my child is guaranteed a place at a childcare centre?
No. The guarantee covers subsidised hours, not a place in a centre. Availability still depends on the rooms and days open at your preferred service, which is why it is worth speaking with the centre directly.
Which suburbs does Mini Masterminds Brighton-Le-Sands serve?
The centre is well placed for families across Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Kyeemagh, Monterey, Ramsgate, Banksia and the wider St George area.
How do I add a third day at a childcare centre near Brighton Le Sands?
Speak with the Centre team about which days are open in your child’s room. They can also walk you through how the extra day sits within your subsidised hours before you commit to it.
3 Day Childcare Guarantee: The Australian Government measure, in place since 5 January 2026, that guarantees every Child Care Subsidy eligible family at least 72 hours of subsidised early childhood education and care each fortnight.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS): The government payment that reduces the cost of approved child care for eligible families, paid directly to the provider.
Activity test: The former rule that linked a family’s subsidised hours to the hours they spent in work, study or volunteering. It was replaced by the 3 Day Childcare Guarantee.
Recognised activity: Work, study, training, volunteering and similar commitments. Families who meet the activity requirements can still access 100 hours of subsidised care a fortnight.
Subsidised hours: The number of hours of care a family can claim the subsidy on each fortnight. This is separate from the percentage of the fee the subsidy covers.
Hourly rate cap: The maximum hourly fee the government will pay a subsidy against. Any amount a centre charges above the cap is not subsidised.
Gap fee: The difference between a centre’s fees and the subsidy a family receives, which the family pays directly.
Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS): Extra support available to families in particular circumstances, including temporary financial hardship, grandparent carers and child wellbeing.
Session of care: The block of time a centre charges for on a given day. The length of a session determines how quickly a family uses up their subsidised hours.
myGov and Services Australia: The government portal and agency where families check their Child Care Subsidy entitlement and update their details.
Incursions and excursions: Special experiences brought into the centre or run outside it, which may fall on different days of the week.
Extra Curricular Program: The Mini Masterminds program of specialist-led activities, including Mini Chefs, Mini Linguistics, Mini Champions and Mini Yoga, included for every child at no additional cost.
Long day care: An early learning service that cares for children for a full working day, usually ten to twelve hours, five days a week.
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