Childcare fees and costs in Ferntree Gully
Straight answers on what childcare actually costs at Kindoo, how the Child Care Subsidy works, and what a real family pays out of pocket each week.
What childcare costs at Kindoo
You pay for the session length you book. Every session attracts the Child Care Subsidy of up to 95% for eligible families.
Kindergarten session fee
Funded three and four year old kinder is largely covered by Victorian Government funding. Any long day care around the kinder session is charged as a normal session with the subsidy applied. See our kindergarten page.
Holiday and vacation care fees
Camp Kindoo holiday care is charged per session with the Child Care Subsidy applied. Excursion days may carry a small extra cost for entry or transport, always stated up front. See Camp Kindoo.
Session fees are indicative and shown before the Child Care Subsidy. Contact us for a current fee schedule for your chosen days.
The Child Care Subsidy explained
Who is eligible
Most families using approved care are eligible for some level of Child Care Subsidy. It is paid directly to the centre and comes off your fee.
How the percentage is calculated
Your subsidy percentage is based on your family income. Lower income families receive a higher percentage, up to up to 95% of the fee.
The 3 Day Guarantee
From January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee means eligible families can access at least three days, or 72 hours a fortnight, of subsidised care without needing to meet an activity test. For most families the subsidy now applies automatically.
How to apply through Centrelink
You claim the subsidy through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. Our team helps you get set up so it applies from your first session.
A worked example, what a family actually pays
Take a family booking three permanent PLUS sessions a week at $149.99 a session. On a Child Care Subsidy of 95%, the subsidy covers about $142 a session, leaving roughly $7 to $8 out of pocket per day, or around $22 for the week. This is an illustration only. Your exact figure depends on your family income, which you can check with the Child Care Subsidy calculator.
Why sessional care costs less than a standard day
Paying for hours you use, not hours you do not
A standard centre bills a flat day. If your child is there for eight hours, you still pay for eleven. At Kindoo you book a session that matches your day, so you are not paying for hours nobody used.
Casual versus permanent booking rates
Permanent bookings secure a set weekly place, while casual bookings give you flexibility day to day. Both attract the subsidy, and we help you pick the mix that costs your family the least.
Other costs, what is included and what is not
Session fees cover care, the full learning program, and the Xplor app. Families provide their child's meals and snacks. Costs that sit outside a normal session, such as an excursion entry fee during holiday care, are always stated clearly before you book. There are no hidden charges at Kindoo.
- The learning program, daily updates and the Xplor app
- Nappies and wipes for younger children as advised
- Excursion extras shown up front, only when they apply
Please note meals are not included. Families pack their child's food and a drink bottle each day.
Fees and subsidy FAQs
How much does childcare cost per day in Melbourne?
Standard long day care in Melbourne's east commonly runs from around $130 to $170 a day before the Child Care Subsidy. Kindoo charges by the session instead, from $112.43 for a 7.5 hour day, so families who do not need a full eleven hour day pay less before the subsidy is even applied.
How much is childcare after the subsidy?
It depends on your family income, but many families now receive the Child Care Subsidy of up to 95% of the session fee. On a $149.99 ten hour session at 95%, that is roughly $7 to $8 out of pocket for the day. You can check your own rate with the free Child Care Subsidy calculator.
Do I pay for public holidays and absences?
Centres generally charge for booked days that fall on public holidays and for absences, and the Child Care Subsidy covers a set number of absence days each year. We explain exactly how this works for your booking at enrolment.
Is kindergarten free in Victoria?
The Victorian Government funds three and four year old kindergarten, which covers a large part of the program cost. Any long day care wrapped around the kinder session is charged as a normal session with the Child Care Subsidy applied.
Are there extra fees for late pick up?
Pick up is by 6.30pm. If you are running late, call us. Late collection is handled kindly and any late fee is explained clearly up front, never as a surprise.
Get a fee estimate for your family
Tell us the days you need and we will give you a clear estimate of your session fees and likely out of pocket cost after the subsidy.