Here’s the honest truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
What works perfectly for one child might not work for yours. Your best friend raves about her child’s long day care centre. Your neighbour swears by family day care. Meanwhile, you’re left wondering which option is actually right for your child and your family.
Let’s cut through the confusion and clearly break down long day care vs family day care, so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Short Answer: Which Is Better?
There’s no universally “better” option between long day care and family day care.
- Long day care is ideal for families who need consistent, full-day care, structured routines, and reliable availability.
- Family day care suits children who thrive in smaller, home-based environments with flexible hours and personalised attention.
The right choice depends on your child’s personality, your work schedule, and the level of flexibility you need.
What Is Long Day Care?
Long day care is centre-based childcare delivered in purpose-built facilities. These centres care for children from as young as 6 weeks through to school age, typically operating 10–12 hours a day, five days a week.
Children are grouped by age and supported by qualified educators who hold at least a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Most centres operate during standard working hours, making them well suited to families with full-time employment.
The environment is structured and designed specifically for early learning, with:
- Dedicated rooms for each age group
- Large outdoor play areas
- Planned educational programs aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework
Think of long day care as a learning community where children build routines, friendships, and school-readiness skills.
What Is Family Day Care?
Family day care is delivered in a home-based setting, where a qualified educator cares for a small group of children in their own residence.
By regulation:
- A maximum of 7 children can be cared for at one time
- No more than 4 children can be preschool age or younger
Children experience care in a familiar, home-like environment and often take part in everyday activities such as cooking, gardening, or local outings.
Family day care educators usually offer greater flexibility, including early starts, late finishes, or non-standard hours, depending on individual arrangements.
Key Differences That Matter Most
Environment
- Long day care: Purpose-built centres with multiple rooms, learning areas, and playgrounds
- Family day care: A residential home adapted for childcare
Group Size
- Long day care: Larger groups, organised by age
- Family day care: Small groups with one consistent educator
Daily Routine
- Long day care: Structured schedules with planned learning activities
- Family day care: Flexible routines that adapt to each child’s needs
When the Educator Is Sick
- Long day care: The centre remains open with replacement staff
- Family day care: Care may pause, requiring backup arrangements
Cost Structure
- Long day care: Flat daily rate
- Family day care: Hourly rates, often more cost-effective for part-time care
Both options are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy.
Long Day Care vs Family Day Care: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Long Day Care | Family Day Care |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Childcare centre | Educator’s home |
| Group size | Larger, age-based groups | Max 7 children |
| Routine | Structured | Flexible |
| Hours | Fixed | Flexible |
| Educators | Multiple | One primary |
| Best for | Full-time working families | Personalised care needs |
Why Parents Choose Long Day Care
- Reliability: Care continues even when staff are absent
- Consistency: Same hours and location year-round
- Social development: Daily interaction with peers
- Sibling convenience: One drop-off location
- Facilities: Access to specialised learning resources
Why Parents Choose Family Day Care
- Personalised attention: Fewer children, tailored care
- Home-like comfort: Ideal for children new to care
- Flexible hours: Supports shift or non-standard work
- Mixed-age learning: Encourages peer learning
- Calmer pace: Routines move at a child’s natural rhythm
Which Option Suits Your Child?
Your Child May Thrive in Long Day Care If They
- Enjoy being around lots of children
- Adapt easily to routines
- Like structured activities
- Are energetic and social
Your Child May Prefer Family Day Care If They
- Feel overwhelmed in large groups
- Need extra reassurance
- Are sensitive to noise
- Thrive with one-on-one attention
What About Quality and Safety?
Both long day care and family day care must meet the same National Quality Framework standards, including:
- Comparable educator qualifications
- Identical health and safety requirements
- Approved educational frameworks
- Regular quality assessments
The difference isn’t in quality — it’s in how care is delivered.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing
For Long Day Care Centres
- What are your educator-to-child ratios?
- How do you manage staff absences?
- Are meals provided?
- How do children transition between rooms?
For Family Day Care Educators
- What hours do you offer?
- What happens if you’re unavailable?
- How many children do you care for daily?
- Are meals and outings included?
Making the Right Decision
Visit multiple services before deciding. Observe how educators interact with children. Notice whether children appear happy, calm, and engaged. Trust your instincts — they’re usually right.
Some families start with family day care and later move to long day care. Others stay with one option throughout. Every pathway is valid.
What matters most is that your child feels safe, supported, and excited to learn.
The Bottom Line
- Long day care offers structure, consistency, and rich social experiences
- Family day care provides flexibility, personalised attention, and a nurturing home environment
Neither is inherently better — they’re simply different.
The right choice is the one that fits your child and your family.
Visit Beginnings Early Learners
Choosing the right early learning environment is a big decision — and seeing it in person makes all the difference.
At our Alfredton and Sunbury centres, we provide welcoming, engaging environments where children feel secure, supported, and encouraged to grow.
To better support working families, our Sunbury centre now offers an extended long day care service from 6:00am to 6:30pm, providing greater flexibility for early starts, later finishes, and busy daily schedules — all while maintaining the highest standards of care.
Enrolments are currently open.
We invite you to book a centre tour, meet our educators, and explore how our programs support your child’s development from day one.
👉 Enquire today or book a tour to secure your child’s place.