Two days, three days or the full week? It's a question our educators are asked often, both by new families and by families whose children are getting closer to school.
There's no one right answer for every child. But thinking about your child's age, what the research says and how the 3-Day Guarantee works can help you find the right fit, now and in the lead-up to big school.
Start with your child
Each child settles into early learning in their own way. Some are ready to jump in on day one. Others need a bit more time to feel comfortable.
It helps to think about:
- How your child copes with change and new people
- Their age and stage of development
- How they're sleeping and eating right now
- Your family's week, including work, study and other care
Your child's educators can share what they're seeing in the room. That can make the decision a lot easier.
What does the research say?
Researchers use the word "dose" to describe how much time children spend in quality early learning.
Australia's national preschool standard is based on a qualified early childhood teacher working with children for at least 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year, in the year before school. The Raising Children Network explains more.
The Restacking the Odds research project, which reviewed the evidence on early childhood education, also uses 15 hours or more a week as a key benchmark for children to get the benefits of early learning.
At most long day care centres, that's about two days a week. Think of it as a guide, not a rule. The quality of the program and how regularly your child attends matter just as much.
Why regular days help children learn
Routine gives children a sense of security, and that security helps them learn. When they come on the same days each week, they get to know:
- Their educators and how the room works
- The shape of the day, from group time to rest time
- The friends who share their days
Those friendships matter for school too. Children who can join in, take turns and work through small disagreements are building skills they'll use in the classroom. Read more about how friendships help build resilience and school readiness.
Many educators also notice that children settle more easily when their days are close together, like a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The routine stays fresh from one day to the next.
A guide by age
There's no set formula, but here's what many families find works at each stage.
Babies (0 to 1)
Lots of families start with two or three days, often lined up with a return to work. The Raising Children Network suggests starting slowly with shorter days and building up. Our settling-in guide explains how we support families through those first weeks.
Preschoolers (3 to 5)
This is when many families think about adding a day. A kindergarten or preschool program helps children build the skills that matter for school, like listening, following routines, looking after their belongings and managing big feelings.
More days in the week means more chances to practise those skills and take part in longer projects with friends. You can read more about our four areas of focus for school readiness and why two years of kindergarten can give your child the best start.
How the 3 Day Guarantee changes things
Since January 2026, all families eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can get at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for each eligible child. In most cases, that covers three days a week. StartingBlocks has a clear summary.
Some families can get 100 hours per fortnight, including:
- Families who do more than 48 hours of recognised activity per fortnight, such as work, study or volunteering
- Families caring for a First Nations child
The activity test no longer affects those first 72 hours. If your work hours stopped you adding a day in the past, it could be worth another look.
For more detail, see our guide to the 3-Day Guarantee, our clear answers for Kids Academy families and our Child Care Subsidy page.
Signs it might be time to add a day
If your child is already at Kids Academy, you might notice:
- They talk about friends who come on days they don't
- Their first day back each week is harder than the rest
- They're moving into preschool or their last year before school
- They ask to go to their centre on days they're at home
- Your work or study hours have changed
None of these mean you need to change anything. They're good things to raise in a chat with your child's educators.
When fewer days works best
More isn't always better for every family. Some children do well on fewer days, especially if they also spend time with grandparents, go to playgroup or have other regular activities. Some families simply want more time together at home, and that's okay.
The right plan is the one that suits your child and fits your family's week.
Have a chat with your centre team
If you're weighing up days, especially in the lead-up to school, your centre team is a great place to start. They can talk through how your child is going, what days are available and what a change might look like.
You can find your nearest Kids Academy centre or get in touch with our team for a chat.