Apply Now: Start Strong for Long Day Care Grant Program (Australia)
Issued by NSW Department of Education · via fundsforNGOs — grants & funding calls
- Published
- 2 Nov 2026
- Closes
- 31 Dec 2026
- Reference
- apply-now-start-strong-for-long-day-care-grant-program-australia
- Location
- Australia
At a glance
NSW Department of Education in Australia has published a funding call: “Apply Now: Start Strong for Long Day Care Grant Program (Australia)”. Submissions close on 31 December 2026, 47 days from today. Quote reference apply-now-start-strong-for-long-day-care-grant-program-australia in any correspondence with the buyer. FreeTender has recorded 6 notices from this buyer since 2026, 5 of them currently open. Bids are submitted to the buyer through fundsforNGOs — grants & funding calls, not through FreeTender.
Details
The 2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care program offers significant funding to improve the affordability and quality of preschool education in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Administered by the NSW Department of Education, this initiative aims to support children aged 3 and above enrolled in eligible long day care services. Applications are open from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. The Start Strong for Long Day Care program is designed to enhance preschool education by making it more affordable and improving its quality. The program seeks to drive better educational outcomes and increase both enrollment and attendance in early childhood education programs before children commence compulsory schooling. The program allocates approximately $350 million to $380 million to support eligible long day care services in NSW. Funding aims to reduce the cost of preschool education and enhance the quality of teaching and resources available to children aged 3 to 5 years.
Eligible applicants include:
The program focuses on:
This funding is crucial for enhancing the accessibility and quality of early childhood education in NSW. It provides financial support to services, enabling them to deliver high-standard education and care, which is essential for the developmental outcomes of young children. What is the total funding available under this program? The program offers approximately $350 million to $380 million in funding. Who can apply for this funding? Eligible long day care services in NSW that meet specific criteria can apply. What are the key objectives of the program? The program aims to improve preschool affordability and quality, and increase enrollment and attendance. What age group does this funding support? Children aged 3 to 5 years enrolled in eligible services. Is there a specified deadline for applications? Yes, the application deadline is 31 December 2026. Eligible service providers are encouraged to review the official program guidelines and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements. For more detailed information, refer to the official guidelines or contact the NSW Department of Education at ecec.funding@det.nsw.edu.au.
Context for bidders
We hold 6 notices from NSW Department of Education, going back to October 2026 — 5 of them still open. They buy mostly in Education & Training and Construction & Infrastructure. This one closes in 47 days.
More from this buyer
Before you bid on this tender
A quick checklist to help you decide whether to bid and prepare a compliant submission. Always verify the details on the official source.
- Confirm the exact closing date and time (and time zone) on the official portal — deadlines are strict and can be revised by a corrigendum.
- Read the full notice and every attached document, including the scope, specifications and any bill of quantities or terms of reference.
- Check the eligibility criteria — prior similar experience, annual turnover, certifications and registrations — and make sure you qualify before investing effort.
- Prepare any earnest-money deposit (EMD) or bid security and the required formats early; missing or wrongly-formatted documents are a common cause of rejection.
- Note how bids must be submitted (online or physical), in what format, and whether a digital signature or portal registration is required.
- Watch for corrigenda and clarifications right up to the deadline — requirements and dates can change.
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