Childcare and schooling in Canberra

[Hgsrh]

Can anyone explain childcare in Canberra? Website is v confusing. Moving from UK with a 1&3 year old who ideally will go into full time nursery/day care. How can I find out which have waiting lists / which are good? We don't know where we'll live yet but want to be fairly central

Goodstart Childcare Centres have lots of different sites throughout Canberra. Child care centres Canberra | Goodstart. Their enrolments are currently open for Sept. 2025, so once you have somewhat of an idea of where you'll be living, the next thing you want to do is apply for nursery. You'll either get put on the waitlist (hence the applying early), or told that there is a place available according to your start date. You're able to enquire via email if you want to find out if there is a waitlist for the nursery you decide on beforehand.

While waiting for someone to come and help you with that, watch this 4 corners on early childcare https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC2503H007S00 . Try to find a not for profit centre. Youtube link as well
Four corners is an investigative journalism program from ABC which tackles current affairs in Australia. Very serious, exposes scandals in Australian politics.

Yes I read about the four corners thing, so wondering how I can find recommendations!

Profit vs not for profit might be a way to filter a good chunk off.

In Sydney, the KU childcare centres have a great reputation. There is one in Canberra https://www.ku.com.au/childcare-centres/canberra/canberra-amep

Can you join some parent Facebook groups in Canberra? I would post asking for help/recommendations as a starting place.

Im in Sydney, and when we used daycare, we went down the ‘family daycare’ route, which is similar to a childminder, four children to a carer in their home. When my son was 3 we moved him to a larger childcare with a preschool program. Things too look for are proximity to home, length of time staff have worked there and word of mouth recommendations.