Early Learning

Our Early Learning services operate as long day care, meaning our operational hours are between 10-12 hours each day.

Families attending long day care can access government funded Child Care Subsidy (CCS) as well as NSW Government Start Strong funding to support the cost of early education and care.

All BFS Early Learning services offer an enriching preschool program to support working families who need longer care hours.

The terms early learning and preschool are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same thing.

Early learning is the broader concept. It refers to the learning and development that happens from birth through the early years of childhood, typically up to school age. BFS Early Learning is long day care, typically open for 10-12 hours. CCS is available. 

Preschool is a specific educational program or setting designed for children in the year or two before they start school, usually aged 3 to 5 years. BFS Community Preschools are open shorter hours and follow the rhythm of the school term/holidays. NSW Government preschool funding is available.

Here are some more details about the differences between Early Learning or Preschool.

Infant-toddler early learning programs differ in the quality and experience they provide. Research shows that quality is a key indicator of early childhood programs that support child development and learning. Benefits of high quality centres extend beyond supporting the development of close relationships with parents and educators, to include social skills and early language development.

Humans simply cannot learn until they feel secure, settled and connected. That’s why, in a sector full of regulations and checklists, we’re choosing to invest deeply in what matters most: relationships, teaching and learning.

We are strengthening our commitment to relational pedagogy. We’ve trained members of our team as Circle of Security facilitators, and we’re rolling this out centre‑wide. We’ve also continued our work with infants and toddlers, following the training completed in 2025, to support secure attachment from the earliest days.

All BFS Early Learning teachers and educators are academically trained, so you can be assured they are experts in what they do!

We have been supporting families across the Illawarra and surrounds since 1981, we are embedded in the local communities we serve and have been trusted by tens of thousands of families over the 45 years of operation. We are the experts in the childhood years. 

Families choose us for our qualified, caring educators, exceptional learning programs and beautiful environments where children feel safe, supported and inspired to thrive. We're a not-for-profit, so we invest back into our communinties.

The safety of your child is at the foundation of everything we do. Children learn best when they feel safe, supported and heard.

• Make a Centre Enquiry via the link below, this ensures you are on our waitlist.
• Connect with the service and organise a tour or walk through
• Once you've completed these two steps, you will be guided towards enrolling when a place is available.