Preschool vs long day care: what's the difference?

Why the terminology is confusing

In Australia, the words used for early childhood education are confusing and used inconsistently. Different states use different terms; different centres call themselves different things. Here are the main terms:

• "Preschool": in NSW, typically a program for 3-to-5-year-olds, run during roughly school hours (usually 9am-3pm), with a strong educational focus.
• "Kindergarten": this is where it gets confusing. In NSW, Kindergarten is the first year of primary school. But in Victoria and some other states, "kinder" or "kindergarten" means what NSW calls "preschool." And many NSW centres use "Kindergarten" in their name even though they're really what NSW calls a preschool. That's us: we're Roseville Kindergarten but we're a preschool in the NSW sense.
• "Long day care" (LDC): full-day care, typically 7-8am to 5:30-6pm, for children from 0 to school age. Focus is on both care and education.
• "Daycare" or "child care": everyday words usually meaning long day care.
• "Family day care": small-scale care in an educator's own home, for up to 7 children.
• "Early learning centre (ELC)": modern branding, usually means long day care.

Preschool vs long day care: the real differences

Centres that offer both

Increasingly common in Sydney, and especially on the North Shore, are centres that offer both preschool hours and long day care hours under one roof, with the same educators, same classrooms, same curriculum.

How this typically works:

• Children enrolled in preschool hours attend 9am-3pm.
• Children enrolled in long day care hours can attend earlier (e.g. from 8am) and stay later (until 5:30pm).
• Everyone does the same core educational program during the day.
• LDC children have extended outdoor play, afternoon tea at the centre, and indoor play before pickup.

This is how Roseville Kindergarten runs: we offer both preschool (9am-3pm) and long day care (8am-5:30pm) in the same centre, with the same educators. Families choose which option suits their working week, or use a mix of both across the week.

Is the curriculum different?

At quality centres, no. Both preschool and long day care in Australia follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), a national framework that guides early childhood education from birth to age 5. Whether your child is in a preschool program or a long day care program, the educational approach is the same.

What can differ between centres:

• Teaching approach: play-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired, Montessori, Steiner. This varies by centre, not by "preschool vs LDC."
• Staff-to-child ratios: governed by national regulations.
• Program intensity: a shorter preschool day may have more "structured" educational time per hour, while LDC allows for more varied experiences across the day.

Does one prepare better for school?

This is a common question, does a "preschool" prepare children for Kindergarten better than "long day care"?

The short answer: quality matters far more than label. A quality long day care program at a good centre prepares children for school just as well as a quality preschool. What matters:

• Experienced educators who know your child
• A curriculum that develops social-emotional skills, curiosity, and language
• Plenty of play-based learning
• Small groups where every educator knows every child well
• Stable staff (low turnover)
• Good partnerships with families

These things can exist in either a preschool or a long day care. They can also be missing from either one. Focus on the centre, not the label.

Community preschool vs private preschool/LDC

Another distinction worth understanding:

• Community preschools: not-for-profit, supported by NSW Start Strong funding. Usually preschool hours only (no long day care option). Advertised fees are often lower, though days are limited and most close for school holidays.
• Private preschools / long day care: privately operated. May be independent (like us) or part of a large corporate chain. Fees subsidised through CCS, and children aged 3+ at approved services like ours also attract NSW Start Strong fee relief. Usually more flexibility on hours and days.

Both can be excellent, and both types receive government support; the difference is the hours and the model, not whether you get help. A community preschool can work well if its hours happen to fit your family. The trade-off is what you give up: set days, school-holiday closures, and no before/after-session care. Roseville offers both models under one roof, preschool hours (9am-3pm) or the full 8am-5.30pm day, so you don't have to choose between the program and your working week.

Which is right for your family?

Ask yourself:

1. What are your actual working hours? If you and your partner both work 9am-5pm in the CBD, preschool hours (9-3) won't work without a nanny or family support for the gap.
2. Do you need 49-50 weeks of care, or can you take time off during school holidays? Many community preschools close for school holidays. LDC centres typically stay open except for a week or two at Christmas.
3. How important is continuity of educators? A centre that offers both preschool and LDC under one roof means your child has the same educators whether they stay the full day or leave at 3pm.
4. What's your budget? Preschool hours are typically cheaper per day. But if you need the extra hours, paying for LDC may be cheaper than preschool + a nanny for the gap.

At Roseville Kindergarten

We offer both preschool hours (9am-3pm) and long day care hours (8am-5:30pm) for children aged 3 to 6. Same educators, same classrooms, same curriculum, same small-centre feel. You choose which option suits your family, and you can use a mix of both across the week.

Up to 40 children total, 2 to 5 days per week, with educators who have been with us for years. Director Anna has led the centre since 2009.

Book a tour to see how it works in practice, or call us on 02 9416 3002.