Find a Service

Early Education 3 Day Guarantee

What this means for families

From January 2026, more families are able to access affordable childcare. This includes both Ambrose preschools and out of school hours care services.

What is the 3 Day Guarantee?

Historically, to be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families needed to pass an activity test. This test assesses the number of hours parents spend in work, study, training, or other recognised activities to determine their CCS entitlements.

Under the 3 Day Guarantee, the activity test has been abolished for the first 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. This means all children, regardless of their parents’ employment status, will have access to at least three days of CCS subsidised childcare every week.

Will Childcare be free?

No, childcare will not be free. Under the Bill:

  • Normal provider-set fees will still apply.
  • A parent still must meet the other criteria for CCS eligibility.
  • Families will be eligible for CCS funding for at least 72 hours of care per fortnight, regardless of their level of workforce participation.
  • The CCS remains means-tested, meaning the subsidy amount depends on household income.
  • Some families may receive up to 95% CCS.
  • Families who meet additional criteria (such as higher workforce participation) may qualify for more than 72 hours of subsidised care.

In essence, this change ensures that the CCS, traditionally accessible primarily to working families, will now be extended to all families.

Which Ambrose Services will the 3 Day Guarantee apply to?

The 3 Day Guarantee will apply to all childcare services that receive CCS funding, including:

  • Long Day Care (LDC)
  • Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) including vacation care

For Ambrose, this includes our extended-hours preschools and OSHC services. However, it will not apply to traditional preschools that do not receive CCS funding.

Why is it called the 3 Day Guarantee?

The Bill guarantees 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (equivalent to 36 hours per week). Many long daycare centres operate 12-hour days, meaning this would cover three full days of care per week – hence the name “3 Day Guarantee.”

For OSHC services, which typically run 2-hour morning (BSC) and 3-hour afternoon (ASC) sessions, this guarantee means that families can access up to five days of BSC and ASC services subsidised by CCS.

Ambrose aims to support all families within our community. With the introduction of the 3 Day Guarantee, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to benefit from early childhood education and care, regardless of their family’s circumstances.

Find more information about the 3 Day Guarantee at the Department of Education.

Find out more about Child Care Subsidy here
Find out more about Start Strong Funding here

More To Explore

Faith, Belonging and Community

Grounded in the Catholic faith and open to all, our learning communities welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures and faith traditions.

Guided by the values of Respect, Encouragement and Care, educators support children to:

  • Develop kindness, empathy and gratitude
  • Build respectful relationships
  • Care for others and the environment
  • Develop confidence and a sense of belonging
  • Recognise and value diversity within the community

Faith and spirituality are experienced in age-appropriate and meaningful ways through:

  • Prayer and reflection
  • Stories, celebrations and traditions
  • Shared values and respectful relationships
  • Participation in school and community events
  • Experiences of care, inclusion and belonging

Educators nurture children’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and connection to the world around them while supporting them to grow as caring, thoughtful and respectful individuals.

As part of a Catholic community, children experience opportunities to build connections with:

  • Educators and families
  • School and parish communities
  • Cultural and community celebrations
  • Shared events and experiences
  • The wider world around them

Transitioning to Kindergarten

At Ambrose, transition to school is viewed as a gradual and supportive journey where children build confidence, familiarity and a sense of belonging before their first day of school.

Throughout the year, educators intentionally support children to develop:

  • Confidence participating in group learning experiences
  • Listening and communication skills
  • Independence and self-help skills
  • Emotional regulation and resilience
  • Attention, persistence and flexible thinking
  • Positive relationships and social confidence
  • Familiarity with routines and transitions

 

Families are supported throughout the transition process through:

  • Ongoing communication and transition discussions
  • Parent-teacher interviews and learning updates
  • Transition to School Statements
  • Opportunities to connect with educators and school communities

Social and Emotional Development

At Ambrose, children are part of a connected Catholic school community where relationships, belonging and wellbeing are intentionally nurtured every day.

Grounded in the values of respect, encouragement and care, our nurturing learning environments support children to feel:

  • Safe and supported
  • Confident to participate and try new things
  • Connected to others and their community
  • Valued as capable learners
  • A strong sense of identity and belonging

 

Social and emotional learning is embedded throughout the day through:

  • Collaborative play experiences
  • Group discussions and reflection
  • Intentional teaching moments
  • Problem solving and conflict resolution
  • Structured routines and expectations
  • Prayer, wellbeing and relationship building

 

Through intentional play-based learning, structured routines and shared experiences, children develop:

  • Confidence and independence
  • Positive relationships and friendships
  • Emotional awareness and self-regulation
  • Resilience
  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Respect, empathy and kindness

Mathematical Thinking and Inquiry

At Ambrose, mathematical thinking is developed through intentional play-based learning, inquiry, investigation and hands-on learning experiences that encourage children to explore, question and problem solve.

The Ambrose Foundations program supports children’s learning about mathematical concepts and applying them in their play and inquiries including STEAM experiences, construction, investigation and collaborative learning.

Children become familiar with:

  • Patterns and predictions
  • Shapes and spatial thinking
  • Measurement and data
  • Quantity and counting

 

Teachers intentionally plan for children’s Mathematical Inquiry and thinking, supporting children to develop:

  • Early number awareness
  • Problem solving and critical thinking
  • Pattern recognition
  • Spatial awareness
  • Reasoning and prediction skills
  • Confidence exploring mathematical concepts
  • Curiosity and inquiry skills

Language and Literacy

Strong literacy foundations begin with language, communication and connection. Children develop literacy skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect learning to their everyday lives, interests and the natural world.

As part of the Catholic school community, Ambrose supports literacy development through a seamless continuum of learning from early childhood into kindergarten and the early years of school.

Through intentional play-based learning and literacy experiences, children build the confidence, communication skills and early learning foundations that support a successful transition into school.

  • This approach fosters the development of:
  • Oral language and communication skills
  • Vocabulary and comprehension
  • Listening and attention skills
  • Confidence participating in group discussions
  • Early literacy understanding
  • Phonological awareness
  • Curiosity about books, stories and language