Canberra - Post Report Question and Answers
Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes - though expensive I did not have any children in pre-school, but my friends with children at the "early years" program thought it was great. Schools do have before/after care - we used it and it was much better than the before/after care at the US school our child went to. - Aug 2020
Preschool is $50-150 per day. - May 2012
My kids are school-age, so I have no experience, but I've heard its like DC--pricey, and one must be on a waiting list before arrival. - Nov 2010
YES! I didn't have my daughter in one, but I knew Australians that had their childern in them. They are very heavily regulated and quite expensive. Fees for being just 15 minutes late could range up and over $100. - Apr 2010
Daycare is so expensive here in Canberra. From 2007 to Mid-2008 I was paying 1,400 AUD/month (1,300 US estimate). In Oct 2009 I'm paying 1,700 AUD per month, and for sure they will increase it next year. The current US rate now is 1 US = to 1.13 AUD. Even though It's expensive here, it is my personal choice to work here. It is a win-win setup for me and my kid. - Oct 2009
Yes but expensive. Public preschool is avaialable for 12 hours per week. Either in 3 short days or two long days. - Apr 2009
