If you’re looking for childcare in Sunbury, cost is likely to be one of the first things you’ll compare.
But the advertised daily fee is only part of the picture. Your actual childcare cost can depend on your child’s age, the centre you choose, what’s included in the daily fee and how much Child Care Subsidy (CCS) your family receives.
Current childcare listings put the average cost of childcare in Sunbury at around $145 per day before CCS, although fees vary between centres and age groups. Current local data reports average daily costs of about $146.93 for babies, $148.75 for toddlers and $143.84 for kindergarten/preschool-aged children.
How Much Does Childcare Cost Per Day in Sunbury?
A useful starting point is the current local market average.
| Care group | Current Sunbury market guide* |
|---|---|
| Babies | Around $147/day |
| Toddlers | Around $149/day |
| Kindergarten/preschool | Around $144/day |
| Overall local average | Around $145/day |
*These are current local market figures from childcare comparison services, not a fixed fee charged by every Sunbury centre. Individual fees can be higher or lower depending on the provider and inclusions.
KindiCare’s current Sunbury data also shows that long day care fees can vary considerably between providers, with listed long day care fees ranging from approximately $72.66 to $173.45 per day. This illustrates why families should compare individual centre fees rather than relying only on a suburb-wide average.
How Much Does Beginnings Early Learners Sunbury Cost?
The current official StartingBlocks listing for Beginnings Early Learners Sunbury shows a $150 full-day session fee before Child Care Subsidy.
The listing notes that the amount is the service’s usual fee, may vary and does not include CCS. Families are advised to contact the service to confirm fees for their circumstances.
This means Beginnings’ advertised full-day fee sits close to the current Sunbury market averages reported by childcare comparison services.
However, the amount you actually pay can be lower after your eligible CCS is applied.
What Is Included in a Childcare Fee?
When comparing childcare centres in Sunbury, don’t look only at the headline daily price.
Ask what your fee covers.
Depending on the centre, this may include:
- Meals and snacks
- Educational resources
- Nappies
- Sunscreen
- Outdoor learning
- Special activities
- Kindergarten programs
- Parent communication
- Excursions or incursions
Beginnings Early Learners says its fees include chef-prepared meals, so families do not need to pack a lunchbox.
When comparing centres, always confirm current inclusions directly with each provider because inclusions and fees can change.
How Does Child Care Subsidy Reduce Childcare Costs in Sunbury?
The Child Care Subsidy can reduce your out-of-pocket childcare expenses if you meet the eligibility requirements.
From 5 January 2026, CCS-eligible families can receive at least 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight, equivalent to three days per week, regardless of their recognised participation level. Some families can receive up to 100 hours per fortnight depending on their circumstances.
Your CCS entitlement depends on factors such as:
- Family income
- Number of children in care
- Children’s ages
- Type of approved care
- Recognised participation
- Other eligibility circumstances
Families generally still pay a gap fee after CCS.
Why the advertised daily fee isn’t the same as your final cost
Imagine a centre charges a daily fee of $150.
That does not mean every family pays $150 out of pocket.
Your CCS percentage and the applicable hourly cap are used to calculate the subsidy. If the service’s effective hourly fee is above the applicable CCS cap, the subsidy is calculated using the capped amount rather than the entire fee.
For this reason, parents should calculate their own estimated out-of-pocket cost rather than comparing centres solely by advertised daily fees.
What Can Make Childcare More or Less Expensive?
Your child’s age
Fees can vary according to age group and the type of care provided.
The number of days you attend
Your weekly childcare cost depends on both the daily fee and the number of days your child attends.
For example:
$150 per day × 3 days = $450 per week before CCS
$150 per day × 4 days = $600 per week before CCS
$150 per day × 5 days = $750 per week before CCS
These are simple examples before CCS and other adjustments.
The centre’s inclusions
A centre with a slightly higher daily fee may include meals, nappies, resources or other services that would otherwise create additional costs.
Your CCS entitlement
The difference between the advertised fee and your actual gap can be significant depending on your family’s circumstances.
Childcare Costs in Sunbury: What Should Parents Compare?
Price is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor.
When comparing childcare centres, look at:
Learning program
Does the centre offer a meaningful early learning program rather than simply supervision?
Educators
Ask about qualifications, experience, staffing arrangements and how educators build relationships with children.
Environment
Look at indoor and outdoor spaces and whether they encourage exploration, creativity and movement.
Meals
Find out whether meals are provided and what the menu looks like.
Communication
Ask how you’ll receive updates about your child’s day, learning and development.
Opening hours
A centre that opens at a time that suits your work schedule can make everyday life much easier.
Location
Consider your commute, drop-off route, parking and how practical the centre will be five days a week.
Quality rating
Check the current NQS rating and understand what it means.
Beginnings Early Learners Sunbury
Beginnings Early Learners operates a long day care centre at 1–5 Riddell Road, Sunbury.
The centre is approved for CCS and provides centre-based long day care. Current official information lists its operating hours as 6:00am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday.
The centre’s current official fee listing shows a $150 full-day session fee before CCS, subject to confirmation with the service.
Beginnings’ broader early learning approach is based around a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, play-based learning, nature and sustainability, creative experiences, health and wellbeing and partnerships with families.
What Is Beginnings Early Learners Sunbury’s NQS Rating?
This is important for parents comparing local centres.
The current official StartingBlocks and ACECQA records list Beginnings Early Learners Sunbury as Working Towards National Quality Standard. The most recent regulatory visit is recorded as August 2026.
Parents considering the centre should review the current official rating alongside other factors such as the educational program, environment, educators, communication and their own experience during a centre tour.
Is a $150 Childcare Fee Expensive for Sunbury?
Based on current local comparison data, a $150 daily fee is around the upper end of the current average range but is still within the broader range of fees listed across Sunbury.
Care for Kids currently reports an average of approximately $145.06 per day across Sunbury, while KindiCare reports a broader long-day-care range from about $72.66 to $173.45.
However, comparing $150 with another centre’s $130 fee doesn’t tell the whole story.
Ask:
- What is included?
- How long is the daily session?
- Are meals provided?
- Are nappies supplied?
- What learning programs are offered?
- What is the current NQS rating?
- How does the centre communicate with families?
- What will your estimated cost be after CCS?
Questions to Ask a Sunbury Childcare Centre About Fees
Before enrolling, ask:
- What is the current daily fee?
- What is included in the daily fee?
- How much could my family pay after CCS?
- What are the standard session hours?
- Are meals provided?
- Are nappies provided?
- Is a kindergarten program available?
- Are there additional charges?
- What days currently have availability?
- Is there a waitlist?
Getting clear answers before enrolling makes it much easier to compare childcare centres fairly.
Looking for Childcare in Sunbury?
If you’re comparing childcare costs in Sunbury, the best next step is to look beyond the daily fee.
Visit the centre, meet the educators, explore the learning environments and ask for a current fee estimate based on your child’s age, attendance days and CCS circumstances.
Beginnings Early Learners welcomes families to visit its Sunbury centre and learn more about its programs, fees and availability.
Book a tour or enquire about a place for your child today.