For Families

Start Strong Fee Relief

NSW Government Funding for Preschool-Aged Children

At Brightly Early Learning, we're proud to support every child's early learning journey. To make starting school even easier, the NSW Government provides funding through the Start Strong initiative. Helping families cover the cost of Preschool for three and four year-olds in childcare settings.

What is Start Strong?

Start Strong funding helps families cover the cost of Preschool for three- and four-year-old children in childcare settings. It's separate from CCS. You don't need to receive CCS to access it.

Eligible four-year-olds could save up to $1,783 per year
Eligible three-year-olds could save up to $423 per year

Who Can Access Start Strong?

Four-Year-Olds: Your child must turn four on or before 31 July 2026 and be enrolled at a Brightly Early Learning centre.
Three-Year-Olds: Your child must turn three on or before 31 July 2026 and be enrolled at Brightly.

How Does It Work?

The funding provides a weekly reduction in your gap fees, spread across the year:

Four-Year-Olds

Up to $34.29 per week

Three-Year-Olds

Up to $8.13 per week

Families complete a simple declaration form and select the eligible service to receive the fee relief. The reduction will automatically appear in your statements.

Start Strong is applied on top of any CCS you already receive. You could be eligible for both.

Learn More: Start Strong for Families

Quick Checklist

Child turns 3 or 4 on or before 31 July 2026

Enrolled at an approved Brightly Early Learning centre

Complete the Start Strong declaration form

No CCS required — Start Strong is available to all eligible families