From 5 January 2026, the Australian Government will introduce the 3 Day Enrolment Guarantee, giving families greater access to early learning and more flexibility in how they use care.

At Jelly Tots Early Learning Centres, we know many families are wondering what this means for them. This update will help you understand the changes, how they benefit children, and why now is a great time to review your enrolment ahead of the new year.

What is the 3 Day Enrolment Guarantee?

From January 2026, all families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will be entitled to a minimum of 72 hours of subsidised early learning per fortnight – that’s the equivalent of three days of care each week, per child.

This new guarantee applies to all eligible families, regardless of parents’ work, study, or activity hours. The goal is to make sure every child can access consistent, high-quality early learning that supports their growth, wellbeing, and school readiness.

Learn more on the Australian Government’s official page: education.gov.au/early-childhood/providers/child-care-subsidy/3-day-guarantee

Who will benefit from the change

This new policy will make early learning more accessible for families across our communities in South Yunderup and Mundijong. It is particularly helpful for:

• Families who don’t currently meet, or only partly meet, the CCS activity test
• Families using one or two days of care who may now wish to extend to three
• Families with changing work rosters needing more flexibility
• First Nations families, who will continue to receive 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight

For many local families, this will mean children can enjoy an extra day of learning, play and friendship in a familiar and supportive environment.

Who won’t be affected

If your family already receives 72 or 100 hours of subsidised care each fortnight, you won’t see any change. The update also doesn’t apply to families above the CCS income cap, or those who prefer to continue with fewer than three days of care.

Key things to remember

• Your CCS percentage (the amount you receive) still depends on your family income
• The income cap for CCS eligibility remains unchanged
• Your out-of-pocket costs may vary depending on your CCS percentage, Centre fees, and the Government’s hourly rate cap
• The new guarantee starts on Monday 5 January 2026

How Jelly Tots is supporting families

At Jelly Tots, we’re here to make this change simple and positive for every family. Our teams at South Yunderup and Mundijong are keeping up to date with all Government updates and will support families through any adjustments to their CCS entitlements.

We’ll also reach out to families who currently attend one or two days a week to discuss how an additional day could benefit their child’s learning and wellbeing.

Our educators see the difference that consistent attendance makes every day. When children attend regularly, they:

• Build stronger friendships and social confidence
• Settle more easily into daily routines
• Develop language, problem-solving and emotional skills
• Feel a greater sense of belonging and connection with their educators

Regular attendance creates stability, and that helps children thrive.

Why this is good news for local families

The 3 Day Enrolment Guarantee gives families in South Yunderup, Mundijong, and surrounding communities more opportunities to access early learning. It supports flexible working arrangements and ensures children can continue learning in an environment that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and independence.

Families who increase their days often tell us they notice changes quickly – children become more comfortable at drop-off, build deeper friendships, and show new enthusiasm for learning.

What to do next

If you’re already part of the Jelly Tots family, chat with your Centre Director about how the new CCS changes might affect you and the best options for your child’s care in 2026.

If you’re planning to enrol soon, now is the perfect time to get started. Our friendly team can help you understand your CCS entitlements and secure your preferred days before the new year begins.

Book a tour today to explore our Centres and see how Jelly Tots provides a warm, nurturing start to your child’s learning journey.

Finding the right childcare is one of the biggest decisions families make. In South Yunderup, parents are looking for more than a place to drop their child off each day. They want a centre that feels like an extension of home, where children are loved, supported and encouraged to grow into confident learners.

At Jelly Tots South Yunderup, that is exactly what we provide. Our centre combines safe and welcoming spaces, dedicated educators and a strong sense of community. Families tell us they feel part of something bigger when they join Jelly Tots, and that connection is what makes us truly unique.

What families want from childcare in South Yunderup

When parents in South Yunderup start looking for childcare, there are a few things at the top of their list. They want:

• A safe and nurturing environment where children can feel secure
• Educators who care about their child as an individual
• Learning that is playful, engaging and helps children grow in confidence
• A centre that feels connected to the local community
• Practical support like meals, nappies and long opening hours

Jelly Tots South Yunderup was built with these needs in mind.

A safe and welcoming place to learn and play

Our centre on South Yunderup Road has been designed to feel warm and homely. Families notice this the moment they walk through the door. The play spaces are filled with natural light, inviting studios and outdoor areas that encourage children to explore, create and discover.

We follow the National Quality Framework, so families can feel confident knowing their child is cared for in line with Australia’s highest standards. Our educator to child ratios mean every child receives the right level of supervision and attention throughout the day.

Educators who care like family

What makes Jelly Tots stand out most is our people. Our Centre Director, Jessicka Taylor, leads with experience, warmth and genuine passion for children and families. As a mother of four herself, she brings both professional knowledge and personal understanding to her role.

Jessicka and her team of educators are committed to making sure every child feels safe, included and celebrated for who they are. Families often tell us that the care and kindness of our educators is what makes Jelly Tots feel different.

Learning through play

We believe children learn best when they are having fun. That is why our programs are guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, which focuses on belonging, being and becoming.

Every day children at Jelly Tots South Yunderup are engaged in experiences that spark their curiosity. They might be exploring our veggie garden, building friendships in imaginative play or creating artwork that tells a story. These activities build important skills like problem solving and communication while also developing confidence and independence.

This play-based approach prepares children for school and beyond, helping them become lifelong learners.

Part of the South Yunderup community

Community is at the heart of Jelly Tots. Families tell us they love that the centre feels connected to the local area. We celebrate cultural events, bring families together for special activities and create opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s learning journey.

South Yunderup itself is a wonderful place for families, with its close-knit community, beautiful waterways and family-friendly parks. Many families travel from surrounding areas to enrol at Jelly Tots because of our strong reputation and welcoming environment.

Making life easier for families

We know how busy family life can be. That is why we include a range of extras to make the day run smoothly. At Jelly Tots South Yunderup we provide:

• Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks prepared daily
• Nappies, wipes and sunscreen
• On-site parking for easy drop off and pick up
• Long opening hours from 6.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
• Updates throughout the day through our Xplor parent app

These inclusions give parents peace of mind and allow them to focus on their day knowing their child is in good hands.

Why families choose Jelly Tots South Yunderup

Families across the region choose Jelly Tots because we combine high quality education with a warm, homely feel. Children are given the freedom to play and explore while also building the skills they need for school. Parents appreciate the convenience, the inclusions and the strong communication with educators. Most of all, they value the sense of belonging that comes from being part of the Jelly Tots community.

Come and see the Jelly Tots difference

We would love to welcome you and your family to our centre. Book a tour today to explore our learning spaces, meet our educators and see for yourself why Jelly Tots South Yunderup is a place where children grow with confidence.

ECRU have developed a poster for education and care services to display to promote transparent processes for families to raise a concern or make a complaint.

With the current child safety concerns being highlighted across the sector ECRU believe it is important for services to establish clear communication channels with families, including sharing information about the Regulatory Authority and their role in investigating complaints, should this be required.

Click – ECRU POSTER LINK

New national rules are being introduced to enhance child safety in early childhood education and care services across Australia, a move welcomed by  Jelly Tots Early Learning Centres. Following a comprehensive review, Education Ministers have agreed to implement significant changes, including mandatory 24-hour reporting for any allegations of abuse, a complete ban on vapes, and stricter policies around the use of digital technology and personal devices for photographing children. These new measures, set to be progressively rolled out from September 2025, aim to strengthen protections and ensure a safer environment for the nation’s youngest learners by embedding child safety more explicitly into the National Quality Standard.

Read more: https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/tougher-child-safety-rules-help-keep-children-safer-early-education

Big news, parents. From January 2026, you’ll be guaranteed three days of subsidised child care per week, no matter how much you work, study, or attempt to function on caffeine alone.

If you’ve ever found yourself stressed out by eligibility rules or scrambling to meet work requirements just to keep your child’s care spot, this is a huge shift. 

But what does it mean for your family’s budget?

Click on the link below to find out more:

https://www.careforkids.com.au/blog/the-3-day-child-care-guarantee-what-it-means-for-your-family