School Holiday Childcare WA
Need childcare during the WA school holidays? This guide explains common school holiday childcare options in Western Australia, including vacation care, outside school hours care, holiday programs, long day care, family support and how to check approved services.
School holiday care can book out quickly, especially around the winter and summer holidays. Start planning early, check your school and local providers, and confirm fees, availability and Child Care Subsidy eligibility before booking.
Next WA school holidays
Select a holiday period to view the dates.
WA school holiday childcare options
The best school holiday care option depends on your child’s age, your work hours, location, budget, transport needs and whether you need a full-day program or just occasional cover.
Quick answer: What childcare options are available during WA school holidays?
Common WA school holiday childcare options include vacation care through outside school hours care services, school holiday programs, long day care for younger children, family day care, community activities, sport or recreation programs, and help from family or informal care where appropriate.
Vacation care and OSHC
Vacation care is commonly offered through Outside School Hours Care providers during school holidays and pupil-free days.
- Often school-age focused
- May run full-day programs
- Can include excursions and incursions
- Usually requires enrolment and bookings
- May be CCS-approved if the service is approved
School holiday programs
School holiday programs may be run by sport clubs, community organisations, councils, attractions, creative studios or childcare providers.
- Good for specific interests
- May be full-day or half-day
- Can book out early
- Fees vary widely
- Not all programs are childcare services
Care for younger children
Younger children may need long day care, family day care or other early childhood services rather than school-age vacation care.
- Check age eligibility
- Confirm operating days
- Ask about holiday closures
- Review fees and inclusions
- Check whether the service is approved
Where to find approved school holiday childcare in WA
Start with official search tools and your school community, then compare providers based on availability, quality rating, location, fees, activities and whether the service is approved for Child Care Subsidy.
StartingBlocks.gov.au
StartingBlocks is the Australian Government’s free website for finding and comparing early childhood education and outside school hours care services.
Child Care Subsidy
Services Australia explains Child Care Subsidy, including eligibility, approved services and how the subsidy is paid to reduce fees.
Outside School Hours Care
The Australian Department of Education explains OSHC, including care before and after school, on pupil-free days and during school holidays.
Your school
Many schools have a regular OSHC provider or can point families to nearby vacation care and holiday program options.
Check your school newsletter, website, parent portal or front office.
Local councils
Councils and libraries may run programs, youth activities and community events that can support family planning during the holidays.
Check your local council website before each holiday break.
WA regulator information
In WA, the Department of Communities has regulatory responsibilities for education and care service applications and approvals.
Important: This page is a general planning guide only. Check directly with each provider for current fees, vacancies, age limits, hours, program details, cancellation rules and whether the service is approved for Child Care Subsidy.
Comparing WA school holiday childcare options
Use this table to compare common care options before you book.
| Care option | Good for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Vacation care / OSHC | School-aged children needing full-day care during the holidays. | Fees, hours, CCS approval, bookings, activities, excursion costs and pick-up rules. |
| Long day care | Younger children who are not yet school-aged or who already attend a centre. | Holiday closures, available days, child age, fees, meals, inclusions and CCS approval. |
| Family day care | Smaller care settings, mixed ages or families needing flexible care arrangements. | Educator availability, approved service status, hours, fees, transport and holiday plans. |
| Sport or activity programs | Children who enjoy structured activities, sport, art, music, STEM or short programs. | Whether it is childcare or just an activity, age limits, supervision, hours and bookings. |
| Family or informal care | Short-term cover, shared care with family, grandparents or trusted friends. | Safety, transport, routines, expectations, emergency contacts and whether it suits the child. |
School holiday childcare booking checklist
Before booking, ask enough questions to avoid surprises during the school holiday break.
Fees and subsidy
- What is the daily fee?
- Are excursions extra?
- Is the service CCS-approved?
- Are food or activities included?
- What are cancellation rules?
Program and supervision
- What activities are planned?
- Are there excursions?
- What are the age groups?
- Who supervises the children?
- What happens in bad weather?
Practical details
- Drop-off and pick-up times
- Late fees or early pick-up rules
- What children need to bring
- Medical and allergy information
- Emergency contact details
Planning care around WA school holiday dates
School holiday care works best when you start with the dates, then map out which days need full care, casual care, family support or activities.
Step 1: Check the dates
Use the WA school holiday date pages or calculator to confirm the holiday period you need to cover.
Step 2: Mark work days
Identify the days where parents or carers are working and care is essential, then separate the days that are flexible.
Step 3: Book early
Book vacation care, OSHC or structured programs as soon as possible because popular days and excursions can fill quickly.
Helpful WA school holiday planning links
Use these related pages to plan school holiday dates, activities and family options around childcare needs.
School holiday childcare WA FAQs
These answers cover common questions WA families ask when planning childcare for the school holidays.
What is vacation care?
Vacation care is care provided for school-aged children during school holiday periods. It is often offered through OSHC services and may include activities, incursions and excursions.
Can I get Child Care Subsidy for school holiday care?
You may be able to receive Child Care Subsidy if you meet the eligibility rules and use an approved child care service. Check the Services Australia Child Care Subsidy page and confirm the provider’s approved service status before booking.
How early should I book WA school holiday childcare?
It is best to book as early as possible, especially for winter and summer holiday programs, popular excursion days and services with limited places.
Are school holiday programs the same as childcare?
Not always. Some school holiday programs are approved care services, while others are short activities, workshops or events. Check supervision, hours, age limits and whether the program is an approved child care service.
Where can I find approved school holiday childcare in WA?
StartingBlocks.gov.au is a useful official search tool for finding and comparing early childhood education and outside school hours care services, including OSHC services.
Need the next WA school holiday dates?
Use the WA School Holiday Calculator to choose a holiday period and see the next matching school holiday break.