Regulatory data
This page provides the latest quarterly data from the NSW Early Learning Commission (Commission), the independent regulator for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in NSW.
Slight variations in the figures published each quarter may be experienced as data is captured at a specific point in time and may be updated retrospectively to reflect information related to the reporting period.
Publishing regulatory data provides transparency around the Commission’s work and encourages voluntary compliance and improved service quality by the ECEC sector in NSW.
Unless stated otherwise, the figures provided on these pages relate to NSW ECEC services regulated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
Quarter 2 (October to December), 2025–26 financial year
The ECEC sector is changing all the time. The figures below provide a snapshot of the number of approved ECEC services and the total approved number of places these services may provide.
The NSW Early Learning Commission began operation on 1 December 2025, during the Q2 2025-26 FY reporting period.
As at 31 December 2025:
- There are 6,185 approved ECEC services in NSW.
- The number of ECEC services in NSW has increased by 2% since 31 December 2024.
- There are 6,112 services approved under the NQF.
- There are 60 additional services, an increase of 1% since 31 December 2024.
- There are 376,961 approved centre-based places for children – an increase of 3% since December 2025.
Approved NQF services by type
The table below shows the number of approved NQF services in NSW as at 31 December 2025 (Q2, 2025–26 FY). Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| NQF service type | This quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q1, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q2, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long day care | 3,660 | 3,642 | 3,586 | 2 |
| Outside school hours care | 1,555 | 1,561 | 1,580 | -2 |
| Preschool | 772 | 770 | 766 | 1 |
| Family day care | 125 | 128 | 120 | 4 |
| Total | 6,112 | 6,101 | 6,052 | 1 |
Service monitoring
The regulatory authority regularly conducts visits to assess ECEC services’ quality and compliance with legislative requirements. These visits can be announced or unannounced.
Where non-compliance is identified, the regulatory authority will take enforcement action to ensure the issues are effectively addressed. Our immediate priority is always to remove risk to the safety of children in ECEC.
The regulatory authority conducted 2,209 monitoring visits this quarter.
The table below shows the number of visits conducted by the regulatory authority in Q2, 2025–26 FY. Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Activity | This quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q1, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q2, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visits | 2,209 | 2,511 | 1,753 | 26 |
Application assessment
The regulatory authority assesses applications from individuals and organisations who wish to provide ECEC in NSW. Robust approval processes ensure providers are capable of educating and caring for children.
The regulatory authority received 167 applications this quarter – a 14% decrease on the same quarter last year.
The table below shows the number of applications received by the regulatory authority in Q2, 2025–26 FY. Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Activity | This quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q1, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q2, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications received* | 167 | 186 | 194 | -14 |
*Notifications of transfer of service approval are counted as an application type for reporting purposes.
Application by type
The table below shows the number of applications received by the regulatory authority in Q2, 2025–26 FY by application type. Figures for earlier quarters are provided for comparison.
| Application type | This quarter (Q2, 2025–26 FY) | Previous quarter (Q1, 2025–26 FY) | Same quarter last FY (Q2, 2024–25 FY) | % change on same quarter last year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amend provider approval | 22 | 30 | 15 | 47 |
| Amend service approval | 109 | 78 | 92 | 18 |
| Extension – temporary waiver | 23 | 40 | 31 | -26 |
| Internal review of reviewable decision | 34 | 16 | 13 | 162 |
| Provider approval | 87 | 112 | 108 | -19 |
| Provider Approval by Executor of Estate of Approved Provider | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reassessment and re-rating | 10 | 10 | 1 | 900 |
| Review of ratings by regulatory authority | 20 | 14 | 15 | 33 |
| Service approval | 80 | 74 | 86 | -7 |
| Service or temporary waiver | 140 | 184 | 214 | -35 |
| Suspension provider approval | 45 | 37 | 78 | -42 |
| Suspension service approval | 20 | 13 | 16 | 25 |
| Transfer of service approval* | 92 | 76 | 78 | 18 |
| Total |
682 | 684 | 747 | -9 |
*Notifications of transfer of service approval are counted as an application type for reporting purposes.