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Parent Guides

Plain-language guides to childcare quality, costs and kindergarten in Victoria.

What Does an NQS Rating Mean? A Parent's Guide to Childcare Quality Ratings (2026)

The NQS rating is Australia's official quality benchmark for childcare. Here's what each rating means, what the 7 quality areas measure, and how to use them practically when comparing centres.

Updated February 20268 min read

Child Care Subsidy (CCS): A Guide for Victorian Families (2026)

The Child Care Subsidy covers most of your childcare costs. Here is how it works in 2026, what changed in January, how much you can expect, and how to claim.

Updated March 202610 min read

Free Kinder Victoria: Who Is Eligible and How to Access It

Free Kinder removes the cost of funded kindergarten for 3 and 4-year-olds at participating Victorian services. No income test, no citizenship requirement. Here is everything you need to know.

Updated March 20267 min read

How to Choose Childcare in Melbourne: A Parent's Guide

The research, the tours, the questions to ask, and the red flags to watch for. A practical guide to finding the right centre for your child and your family.

Updated March 20268 min read

What Questions to Ask on a Childcare Centre Tour (And What to Look For)

A well-run tour is designed to impress. Your job is to look past the surface. Here are the questions that matter, organised by category.

Updated March 20267 min read