Childcare costs are one of the most searched — and most misunderstood — topics for families with young children in Redland Bay. The headline fee feels scary. The subsidy system feels complicated. And most of the information out there is either national averages that don't apply locally, or government fact sheets that need a spreadsheet to decode. This post does the maths for you — using real Redland Bay fees, real 2025–26 CCS rates, and real out-of-pocket costs across a range of income levels. No jargon. No guesswork.
Based on data from CareforKids and Toddle, the average daily fee for long day care in Redland Bay sits at $148 per day for a standard 10-hour session in 2026 — $149/day for babies, $148 for toddlers, and $147 for kindergarten-age children.
That's higher than the Queensland state average of $131/day, and above the Gold Coast and Ipswich averages too. Fewer centres serving a growing population is the main driver. It's part of why Little Scholars runs two campuses in Redland Bay — giving local families more than one option close to home.
How Redland Bay compares — average daily fee, SEQ 2026
The Child Care Subsidy doesn't apply to your full daily fee. It applies to whichever is lower: your actual fee, or the government's CCS hourly rate cap of $14.63/hr for 2025–26. On a standard 10-hour day that cap works out to $146.30.
Redland Bay's average of $148/day is $14.80/hr — $0.17 above the cap. That means every Redland Bay family pays a fixed above-cap gap of $1.70 per day that no level of subsidy can cover. On three days a week that's $5.10 per week, or $255 per year. It won't break your budget, but it's worth building into your numbers.
In plain English: Your CCS is calculated on $14.63/hr, not $14.80/hr. The $0.17 difference — $1.70/day — comes out of your pocket at every income level. Want to see your exact weekly cost? Use our free CCS Calculator →
Your subsidy rate is determined by your combined household adjusted taxable income. It starts at 90% for families earning up to $85,279, decreasing by 1% for every additional $5,000 earned above that threshold.
| Family income | CCS rate | CCS per hour | Gap per hour | Daily out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $85,279 | 90% | $13.17 | $1.63 | $18.00 |
| $120,000 | 83% | $12.14 | $2.66 | $28.30 |
| $140,000 | 79% | $11.56 | $3.24 | $34.10 |
| $160,000 | 75% | $10.97 | $3.83 | $40.00 |
| $180,000 | 71% | $10.39 | $4.41 | $45.80 |
| $220,000 | 63% | $9.22 | $5.58 | $57.50 |
Gap per hour = ($14.63 – CCS per hour) + $0.17 above-cap. Multiply by 10 for daily gap. 2025–26 CCS rates, effective 7 July 2025. Your exact rate depends on your confirmed income estimate with Services Australia. Calculate yours here.
Here's what different household incomes actually translate to in weekly childcare costs — based on three days a week at Little Scholars Redland Bay, using the $148/day average and 2025–26 CCS rates.
One income, or returning to work part-time
Dual income, first child starting care
Two professionals, planning for kindy next year
Higher-earning household, two incomes
Based on $148/day at Little Scholars Redland Bay. CCS applied to the $14.63/hr hourly rate cap; above-cap gap of $1.70/day is included in all daily gap figures. Before 5% annual withholding reconciliation. Indicative only. Get your exact figure here.
At 90% CCS, the government covers $130 of your $148 daily fee. Three days a week at Little Scholars costs a family on $80,000 around $54 — not $444.
Whether you're looking at two days around the school run or five full days while you return to work, here's the complete picture across income levels for Little Scholars Redland Bay.
| Family income | CCS % | 2 days/wk | 3 days/wk | 4 days/wk | 5 days/wk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $80,000 | 90% | ~$36 | ~$54 | ~$72 | ~$90 |
| $100,000 | 87% | ~$41 | ~$62 | ~$82 | ~$103 |
| $120,000 | 83% | ~$57 | ~$85 | ~$113 | ~$142 |
| $140,000 | 79% | ~$68 | ~$102 | ~$137 | ~$171 |
| $160,000 | 75% | ~$80 | ~$120 | ~$160 | ~$200 |
| $180,000 | 71% | ~$92 | ~$137 | ~$183 | ~$229 |
| $220,000 | 63% | ~$115 | ~$173 | ~$230 | ~$288 |
All figures are weekly out-of-pocket after CCS, based on $148/day and the 2025–26 $14.63/hr rate cap. 5 days/week requires 48+ hours/fortnight of recognised participation (work, study, volunteering). Indicative only.
If you have a second child aged 5 or under enrolled at Little Scholars, they attract a higher CCS rate of up to 95% for families earning under $143,273. This applies whether both children are at the same campus or different ones.
At $148/day and 95% CCS, your second child's daily gap drops to roughly $9.10 — about $27 a week for three days. If you're weighing up the cost of dual enrolment, that number is usually the one that changes people's minds.
Queensland's Free Kindy program provides eligible children with 15 hours per week of fee-free kindergarten for up to 40 weeks a year. For 2026, that's children born between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022. Both Little Scholars campuses in Redland Bay are approved providers — meaning your child can access Free Kindy at Little Scholars as part of their normal day.
In practice, CCS is applied first to reduce your gap fee. Free Kindy then covers a significant portion of what's left during the 15 kindy program hours each week. For families on lower-to-mid incomes, combining both programs can bring the weekly cost of a two-day kindy enrolment very close to zero during term.
Free Kindy is not income-tested. Even families who earn too much to qualify for CCS still receive the Queensland Government's Free Kindy benefit — if your child is the right age, you're eligible regardless of household income. See how Free Kindy works at Little Scholars →
When you're comparing childcare fees, it's worth knowing what's actually included. At Little Scholars, your daily fee covers access to our curriculum — a play-based, educator-led program delivered across every room from Nursery and Infant Care through Toddler, Junior and Senior Kindy, and Kindergarten. It's built on the Early Years Learning Framework and delivered by qualified early childhood teachers and educators.
Redland Bay children also have access to our Outdoor Explorers (Bush Kinder) program — nature-based learning that takes the classroom outside and builds confidence, curiosity, and resilience in young children. It's one of the things families tell us they didn't expect and end up valuing most.
Little Scholars is family-owned, with 17 campuses across South East Queensland. The people making decisions about how your child's day runs are the same people who started this. That matters when things come up — and they always do when you've got a toddler.
Little Scholars has two campuses serving Redland Bay families — one on Main Street and one on Collins Street. Both run the same programs. Book a tour at whichever works better for your commute or school run.
📍 171 Main Street, Redland Bay QLD 4165
Nursery · Toddler · Junior & Senior Kindy · Kindergarten
Book a Tour
📍 89 Collins Street, Redland Bay QLD 4165
Nursery · Toddler · Junior & Senior Kindy · Kindergarten
Book a TourRedland Bay has grown by over 2,000 residents since the 2021 Census, adding approximately 53 more children under five to the local demand pool. Current data shows around 1.8 children under five per licensed childcare place in the area — supply is tight and it's not getting looser.
Knowing what you'll pay matters. But honestly, knowing there's a place available matters more. Families who join Little Scholars' Redland Bay waitlists often do so six months to a year in advance — some before their baby is born. The subsidy paperwork takes an afternoon. Finding the right centre with an actual vacancy takes a lot longer.
If this post has made the cost feel more manageable than you expected, the best next step is to book a tour at one of our Redland Bay campuses, see the space, meet the team, and get your name down. The numbers will follow.
Use our CCS Calculator to see your real weekly cost — then come and see Little Scholars Redland Bay for yourself. Both campuses have a Book a Tour form right on the page.
Little Scholars School of Early Learning — 17 campuses across Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich & Redland Bay
Average daily fee of $148 sourced from CareforKids.com.au and Toddle (2026). CCS rates and hourly rate cap ($14.63/hr) sourced from the Department of Education and Services Australia (2025–26). Weekly out-of-pocket figures are indicative only, before the 5% annual CCS withholding reconciliation, and do not constitute financial or legal advice. Individual centre fees vary — contact Little Scholars directly for current pricing.
A brighter future for families is on the way. Starting 5 January 2026, the child care subsidy 2026 changes will introduce the new 3 Day Guarantee, giving CCS eligible families access to three full days (36 hours) of subsidised childcare per week – no matter how many hours you work or study.
At Little Scholars, we know how important affordable, flexible care is for families, and we’re here to help you understand what these changes mean for you.
The 3 Day Guarantee is part of upcoming changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). It removes the strict work and study requirements previously tied to accessing subsidised hours of care according to the Department of Education.
Here’s what families can expect from 2026:
This means more affordable care, more flexibility, and more opportunities for your child to thrive in early learning.
Not sure how much Child Care Subsidy you might be entitled to? Use our online Child Care Subsidy Calculator.
For many families, these changes will mean thousands of dollars in savings each year. But beyond the financial relief, it means every child has the opportunity to access quality early education – the foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and wellbeing.
With your three guaranteed days of subsidised care, your child will experience the very best in early education across our purpose-built campuses.
Children connect with the natural world through exploration and play.
Bush, Beach, and Pram-kinder programs, music, dance, sport, soccer, swimming, gardening and more.
Experienced teachers deliver our nationally recognised Kindergarten program.
At Little Scholars, children engage with STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through hands-on, play-based experiences. Alongside our brand-new, Australian-first, WonderNest Virtual Reality program, opening new worlds of discovery and learning for kindergarten children in 2026.
Every child is more than just a number, they are part of our family. We provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where children feel valued, celebrated, and encouraged to be themselves.
Our educators take the time to understand each child’s unique personality, interests, and learning style. This personalised approach to childcare ensures that every child feels a sense of belonging while developing confidence and independence.
Families choose Little Scholars because we combine high-quality early learning programs with a genuine family-first philosophy. From the moment you step into our campuses, you’ll see children thriving in a space that feels like home – where safety, wellbeing, and happiness come first.
With the 3 Day Guarantee set to launch in 2026, we anticipate an incredible level of interest and demand across our campuses. If you are a current family and your current CCS entitlement is less than 72 hours per fortnight, please speak with your Campus Manager to learn more about the 3 Day Guarantee and how to optimise your Child Care Subsidy.
If you are looking to enrol your child, you can book a tour at your local Little Scholars Campus or chat with our enrolments team on 1300 896 139 to see how your family could benefit from the CCS changes.
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
Let us hold your hand and help looking for a child care centre. Leave your details with us and we’ll be in contact to arrange a time for a ‘Campus Tour’ and we will answer any questions you might have!
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