Child Care Shoalhaven Heads

Needs Analysis

Shoalhaven Heads 2535 is served by 3 child care centres for an estimated 119 children under 5 — around 4.1 children per long day care place. See how local fees, occupancy and supply gaps compare with Rest of NSW.

Updated September 21, 2026 3 Centres Pop: 2,962
Centres map & directory

Child care centres

Explore centres on the map, filter by type, then review the directory below.

Id Name Type Places Approval Distance (Km) Day Rate Availability

* Click centres on the map for more detail and custom analysis options.

Local supply snapshot

Key metrics

Shoalhaven Heads compared with Rest of NSW

LDC Providers
LDC Providers
1
1,085
LDC Places
Total LDC Places
29
69,944
Population
Total Population
2,962
2,987,047
Per Place
Persons Per Place
102.1
-
Avg Age
Avg Centre Age
17.4 yrs
14 yrs
0-4 Pop
Population 0-4
119
167,275
Kids Per Place
0-4 Per LDC Place
4.1
2.4
Workforce
Workforce Impact
Low
Standard
School Att
School Attendance
173
-
School Per LDC
School Per LDC Place
5.97
6.1
Avg Fee
Avg LDC Fee ($/day)
$141
$153
Other
Other Places (PSK/OOSH)
35
-

SOURCE: ACECQA, StartingBlocks, ABS data analysed by AreaSearch
Last updated:

Approvals Pipeline Childcare development approvals near Shoalhaven Heads

Childcare development applications on record across the catchment around Shoalhaven Heads, from lodgement through to determination. Project-by-project detail — addresses, proposed places and status, drawn from council DA / planning registers — is in the full approvals register on this page.

Development approvals is a new addition to AreaSearch. We’re actively expanding council coverage and refining the dataset — details and statuses for some councils may be partial. Check back regularly for the latest pipeline.
Childcare approvals
1
In the local catchment
Proposed places
0
Where disclosed
Under assessment
0
Awaiting determination
Determined
1
Approved or decided

Most recent projects

  • Approved

    A Complying Development Certificate has been approved for alterations or additions to an existing building fo…

    Lodged Jul 2024

Free accounts see the most recent project above. Sign in or go Pro to unlock the full approvals register on this page — search by address or DA number, filter by status, council and project scale. Data is drawn from council DA / planning registers.

SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.

Shoalhaven Heads Child Care FAQ
What is the Child Care supply composition of Shoalhaven Heads?
As of our last update on September 21, 2026, there are 3 child care centres in Shoalhaven Heads. Of these, a single centre provides Long Day Care admissions with 29 places, there is one Out of Hours School Care centre that has 35 places, and a single centre providing other child care services. The suburb also contains a single school with 173 enrolments.
What population do these centres in Shoalhaven Heads service?
AreaSearch's latest population estimate for Shoalhaven Heads as at August 2026 stands at a total of 2,962 people, of this 119 are estimated to be children under five years of age.
Why do your population numbers differ from Census figures for Shoalhaven Heads?
Some areas have changed considerably since the 2021 Census was undertaken. At the 2021 Census Shoalhaven Heads was assessed as having 3,248 people with 156 of these (4.8%) being children under 5 years old. Given changes in localised population estimates by the ABS we estimate that Shoalhaven Heads has experienced a population decline of approximately 286 people from the 2021 Census.
How does the ratio of children per LDC place in Shoalhaven Heads compare to those in Rest of NSW?
In Shoalhaven Heads, our latest analysis shows there are 4.1 resident children under 5yo per LDC place. This figure is significantly higher than the 2.4 children per place across Rest of NSW.
How do childcare fees in Shoalhaven Heads relate to those in Rest of NSW?
Childcare fees in Shoalhaven Heads average $141, which is slightly lower than the regional average of $153 in Rest of NSW.
How does the ratio of school population per LDC place compare in Shoalhaven Heads and Rest of NSW?
In Shoalhaven Heads, there are 6 students per LDC place. This figure is about the same as the 6.1 students per LDC place in Rest of NSW.
What is the average age of Long Daycare Centres in Shoalhaven Heads?
The average LDC in Shoalhaven Heads was approved 17.4 years ago, while across Rest of NSW the typical centre approval is 14 years old.
Is the local workforce a significant driver of additional child care demand for Shoalhaven Heads?
No, daily workforce activity is considered low in this area and is unlikely to be a significant driver of child care demand.
Who would typically use analysis such as this?
Childcare operators, developers, investors and financiers would typically conduct a thorough child care supply and demand analysis (SDA) on Shoalhaven Heads before allocating the significant amount of capital required. Boundary-based analysis such as this is often used as an initial guide however, and analysis would be undertaken on the specific site adopting a radial, travel time, or custom catchment to take into account nearby competition and demand drivers that would influence a centre's performance.

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