Save on your ToBeMe preschool fees with NSW Government funding
If your child is attending preschool at one of our ToBeMe Early Learning Centres, your family may be able to receive additional fee relief through the NSW Government’s Start Strong for Long Day Care program.
This funding is available in addition to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and helps make quality preschool education more affordable for eligible families.
What is Start Strong Fee Relief?
The NSW Government provides funding to eligible long day care services to help reduce the cost of preschool for three and four-year-old children.
In 2026, eligible families may receive:
- Up to $1,783 per year for eligible children aged four years and above
- Up to $423 per year for eligible three-year-old children
Some families may be eligible for a higher rate of funding.
Who is eligible?
Your child may be eligible if they are enrolled in a preschool program at our Burwood or Five Dock ToBeMe Early Learning Centres.
Four-year-old fee relief
Your child may be eligible if they:
- turn four years old on or before 31 July 2026 (born on or before 31 July 2022); and
- are enrolled in a preschool program delivered within an eligible long day care service.
Three-year-old fee relief
Your child may be eligible if they:
- are three years old and do not turn four on or before 31 July 2026 (born between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023); and
- are enrolled in a preschool program delivered within an eligible long day care service, just like ours.
How much can you receive?
Fee relief is provided as a fixed annual amount and applied across 50 weeks of the year, regardless of how many hours your child attends.
Standard fee relief
| Child’s age | Weekly fee relief | Annual fee relief |
| Four-year-olds | Up to $35.66 | Up to $1,783 |
| Three-year-olds | Up to $8.46 | Up to $423 |
Higher fee relief
Higher funding may be available for:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children
- Children attending eligible services located in regional, remote or recognised socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Eligible families may receive:
| Child’s age | Weekly fee relief | Annual fee relief |
| Four-year-olds | Up to $51.26 | Up to $2,563 |
| Three-year-olds | Up to $15.38 | Up to $769 |
Please note that ToBeMe Early Learning Centres are not located in regional or remote areas, or areas recognised as socio-economically disadvantaged. The higher rate may still apply for eligible Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children.
How do I receive the fee relief?
Receiving your fee relief is simple.
Families need to nominate one eligible early learning service to receive the funding by completing a Start Strong Fee Relief Declaration Form.
Once your declaration has been submitted, the fee relief will be applied directly to your childcare fees and will appear on your regular fee statements.
Need help?
If you’d like to know whether your child is eligible or have questions about the Start Strong program, our team is here to help.
Speak with your Centre Manager, or a member of our friendly team on (02) 9744 0066, who can guide you through the process and answer any questions about your family’s eligibility.
