Big school, big insights:
What the CCS ‘3 Day Guarantee’ means for families
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This article is part of our “Big School, Big Insights” series, created to support families and share expert perspectives on school readiness. The series follows our recent Prep webinar for the 2026 intake, where we explored practical strategies for families and discussed important policy changes that make quality care more accessible.
2026 begins with great news for families: the government’s 3-Day Guarantee is now live, giving every CCS-eligible family access to at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight, including before and after school care (OSHC).
This change isn’t just for long day care. It means families with school-aged children can now enjoy more flexibility and affordability when booking OSHC sessions, including before school, after school and holiday programs.
A game-changer for families
The Australian Government has introduced the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) ‘3-Day Guarantee’, ensuring all CCS-eligible families receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care, per fortnight, regardless of their activity level. For many families, this is a significant shift that reduces financial barriers and increases flexibility.
It’s a game-changer for families, reducing financial barriers and increasing flexibility.
Why this matters
Affordable OSHC is essential for school readiness and family routines. This reform ensures more children can access safe, enriching care outside school hours. Previously, CCS hours were tied to activity levels such as work, study or volunteering. Families with fewer activity hours often received limited subsidised care, making OSHC less affordable. The new guarantee ensures:
Greater access: Families who previously missed out can now book up to three days of care per week.
Lower out-of-pocket costs: More subsidised hours mean more savings for families.
Support for school readiness: Affordable OSHC helps children settle into routines and build confidence.
How CCS works
During our recent webinar, Jessica Sargeant, Customer Experience Manager at Junior Adventures Group, explained what families need to know about the new changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and why they matter.
Most Australian families are eligible for a CCS rebate of 50% to 90% on OSHC fees, including holiday programs and excursions. The exact percentage depends on household income. Once CCS is applied, the rebate is automatically deducted before billing, so families only pay the out-of-pocket cost.
What families need to do
Check eligibility: Log in to MyGov and confirm your CCS details.
Enrol early: Secure your child’s place for 2026 and take advantage of welcome offers.
Plan ahead: Use the extra subsidised hours to book January holiday programs and term-time sessions.
JAG’s commitment
We believe every child should have access to safe, enriching care. We advocate for policies that support families and reduce barriers to participation. The CCS ‘3 Day Guarantee’ is a positive step toward equity and inclusion.
Want to know more about CCS and how it applies to OSHC? Visit the link below to find out more!
Want answers to common questions?
Read our Prep and OSHC FAQs
Yes. We strongly encourage all children starting Prep in 2026 to attend our January holiday program. This gives them the chance to explore the school and OSHC environment before term begins, meet educators and older children, and build confidence in a calm setting. These early experiences help make the transition to school smoother and less stressful.
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