Thousands of Central Coast families drive past it every week without knowing it's there. Tucked upstairs at HomeCo.
14th October 2026. Reviewed by Darcy, Centre Director, 7 min read
Ask a Tuggerah parent where the nearest childcare centre is, and you’ll hear plenty of answers. Very few will say “upstairs at the homemaker centre”.
Yet that’s exactly where you’ll find Oz Education Tuggerah, a purpose-built, 96-place childcare centre and preschool on Level 1 of HomeCo. Tuggerah, on the corner of Wyong Road and Bryant Drive.
The centre opened in late 2018. It wasn’t a converted house or a squeezed-in shopfront. It was designed from scratch by architects for one purpose: early learning. That shows in the space. Children have more than 355 square metres of indoor playrooms and 760 square metres of outdoor play areas, with three sandpits, a stage and room to run.
“We hear it all the time on tours: ‘I had no idea you were up here.’ Then parents see the playgrounds and realise they’ve found something special right on their daily route.” Darcy, Centre Director
So what do you actually get, what does it cost once the Child Care Subsidy is applied, and how do you find the front door? Here’s the full picture.
In this article
- What makes Oz Education Tuggerah a purpose-built childcare centre?
- How does the design keep children safe?
- How much space do children have?
- What ages does childcare in Tuggerah cater for?
- Is there a preschool in Tuggerah that doesn’t finish at 3pm?
- What’s included in the daily fee at Oz Education Tuggerah?
- How much does daycare in Tuggerah cost after the Child Care Subsidy?
- Where is Oz Education Tuggerah and how do I find it?
- How do I book a tour of Oz Education Tuggerah?
- Frequently asked questions
Oz Education Tuggerah at a glance
- What: Long day care, childcare and preschool for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years
- Where: Level 1, HomeCo. Tuggerah (formerly Tuggerah Super Centre), corner Wyong Road and Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm, closed public holidays
- Places: Licensed for 96 children
- Built: Purpose-built childcare centre, opened late 2018
- Space: 355.75 m² of indoor playrooms, 760 m² of outdoor play areas and a large tropical aquarium
- Safety: Glass-walled nappy change and bathroom areas, so all personal care happens in view of other educators
- Included: Four meals a day, nappies, wipes, sunscreen, enrichment programs and a parent app
- Funding: Approved for the Child Care Subsidy and NSW Government fee relief for long day care
- Contact: 1300 088 520 or ozeducation.com.au/book-a-tour
What makes Oz Education Tuggerah a purpose-built childcare centre?
Oz Education Tuggerah was designed by local architects and approved as a long day care service in November 2018. Every room was planned around how young children learn, sleep, eat and play.
The centre has five playrooms, two dedicated cot rooms for babies, bottle-prep rooms, children’s bathrooms beside the playrooms, and an on-site kitchen where meals are made fresh each day.
There’s also a large tropical aquarium, which quickly becomes a favourite for small noses pressed to the glass at drop-off and pick-up.
How does the design keep children safe?
The nappy change and children’s bathroom areas have glass walls. That means every moment of personal care happens in full view of other educators, and no adult is ever alone with a child out of sight. It’s a simple design choice that supports child-safe practice and gives parents genuine peace of mind.
The indoor space
| Indoor playrooms | Area |
| Playroom 1: Platypus 6 weeks to 1 yrs | 52.25m2 |
| Playroom 2: Platypus 1 to 2 yrs | 49.25m2 |
| Playroom 3: Koala 2 to 3 yrs | 83.5m2 |
| Playroom 4: Kangaroo 3 to 4 yrs | 82.5m2 |
| Playroom 5: Lizard 4 to 6 yrs | 88.25m2 |
| Total | 355.75m2 |
The playground space
| Play areas | Area |
| Playground 1 | 163m2 |
| Playground 2 | 159.75m2 |
| Playground 3 | 350.50m2 |
| Playground 4 | 86.75m2 |
| Total | 760m2 |
National regulations require at least 3.25 m² of indoor space and 7 m² of outdoor space per child. At its full 96 places, Tuggerah offers about 3.7 m² indoors and 7.9 m² outdoors per child, comfortably above the minimum.
Our outdoor space invites children to dig in the sandpits, discover the natural garden and get hands-on with STEM resources. Carefully chosen climbing frames, loose construction materials and child-led play give them plenty of chances to test their skills and build confidence.
Platypus Nursery
(6 weeks to 2 years)
A calm baby room with its own cot room, gentle routines and sensory play.
Koala Toddlers
(2 to 3 years)
Toddlers build independence, language and friendships through play.
Kangaroo Pre-kindy
(3 to 4 years)
Early STEM, problem-solving and creativity, with more structure each term.
Lizard Preschool
(4 to 6 years)
A school-readiness program developed with school teachers.
Is there a preschool in Tuggerah that doesn’t finish at 3pm?
Yes. At Oz Education Tuggerah, the Advantage Preschool Program runs inside long day care hours. Your child gets a structured preschool program, and you still get a 6:30am drop-off and 6:30pm pick-up. That suits the many Central Coast families who love the idea of preschool but can’t make a 9am-to-3pm day work.
The centre is approved for NSW Government fee relief for long day care, which helps eligible families of 3 to 5-year-olds with the cost of early learning. The relief is applied to your fees after the Child Care Subsidy, and the amount depends on your child’s age and your family’s circumstances.
What’s included in the daily fee at Oz Education Tuggerah?
Everything your child needs for the day. Oz Education fees are all-inclusive, so there’s no extra bag to pack for nappies or lunch.
- Four freshly prepared meals a day, cooked on site
- Nappies, wipes, cot sheets and sunscreen
- Dance, multisports, cooking, gardening and STEM programs
- On-site health checks, including dental checks
- A parent app with daily routines, photos and learning updates
- Flexible 9, 10, 11 or 12-hour sessions
How much does daycare in Tuggerah cost after the Child Care Subsidy?
Most families pay much less than the daily fee on the price list. The Australian Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) pays a percentage of your fee straight to the centre, and you pay the gap.
How much CCS you get depends on your combined family income. From 6 July 2026, families earning up to $88,520 get 90%. The rate drops by 1% for every $5,000 above that, and stops at $538,520. The subsidy applies to fees up to $15.19 an hour for children under school age.
Since January 2026, the 3 Day Guarantee also means every CCS-eligible family gets at least 72 subsidised hours per fortnight, regardless of work or study hours.
At Oz Education Tuggerah, the daily fee is $165 for children aged 0 to 3 and $160 for children aged 3 to 5. Here’s what a day could cost once CCS is applied.
| Combined family income | CCS Rate | You pay per day (0-3 yrs) | You pay per day (3-5 yrs) |
| Up to $88,520 | 90% | $16.50 | $16.20 |
| $138,520 | 80% | $33.00 | $32.40 |
| $188,520 | 70% | $49.50 | $48.60 |
| $238,520 | 60% | $66.00 | $64.80 |
Families with a second child aged 5 or under in care may get a higher rate. Services Australia also holds back 5% of CCS until the end of the financial year, then pays it through reconciliation. For your own estimate, use our CCS calculator or call the team.
Where is Oz Education Tuggerah and how do I find it?
This is the bit most people miss. Oz Education Tuggerah is on Level 1 of HomeCo. Tuggerah, the large homemaker centre on the corner of Wyong Road and Bryant Drive, just down the road from Westfield Tuggerah.
- By car: Turn into HomeCo. Tuggerah from Bryant Drive and follow the road around the back of the centre, past the loading docks. Loop back into the Level 1 car park on the western side and look for the Oz Education branded signs marking parking spots for centre families. Our entrance is right behind them, with direct access from the car park. Parking is free, so there’s no circling for a spot at drop-off. If you park on the ground floor, simply take the lift or travelator up to Level 1.
- By train: Tuggerah Station is close by, making the centre a natural stop for parents commuting to Sydney, Gosford or Newcastle.
- From the M1: A few minutes from the Tuggerah interchange via Wyong Road.
Once you’re done, the rest of your errands are right there. Grab a coffee, do the Westfield shop or pick up that flat-pack before heading home.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 6:30am to 6:30pm. Closed on public holidays.
How do I book a tour of Oz Education Tuggerah?
Book online or call the team. The best way to understand the space is to walk through it, meet Darcy and the educators, and see the playgrounds for yourself.
Book a tour or call 1300 088 520.
Oz Education is an Australian, family-owned early learning provider with more than 45 years of experience. It runs childcare centres across NSW and Victoria, including nearby Oz Education Wyong.
Ready to see it for yourself? Visit the Oz Education Tuggerah centre page to meet the team and see what families say.
Where is Oz Education Tuggerah located?
It is on Level 1 of HomeCo. Tuggerah, the homemaker centre on the corner of Wyong Road and Bryant Drive, Tuggerah NSW 2259. The complex was previously called Tuggerah Super Centre. Parking is free, with spots marked for centre families, and Tuggerah Station is a 10 to 15-minute walk away.
Is there childcare near Tuggerah train station?
Yes. Oz Education Tuggerah, at HomeCo. Tuggerah, is a 10 to 15-minute walk from Tuggerah Station and opens at 6:30am, so commuters can drop off before an early train.
What ages does Oz Education Tuggerah take?
Children from 6 weeks to 6 years, across two baby rooms and toddler, pre-kindy and preschool rooms.
Does Oz Education Tuggerah offer a preschool program?
Yes. The Lizard Advantage Preschool Program for 4 to 5-year-olds runs within long day care hours of 6:30am to 6:30pm.
What is included in the fees?
Four fresh meals a day, nappies, wipes, cot sheets, sunscreen, enrichment programs like dance and multisports, on-site health checks and a parent app.
When was Oz Education Tuggerah built?
It was purpose-built as a childcare centre and opened in late 2018.
How big is the centre?
It has five playrooms totalling 355.75 m² and four outdoor play areas totalling 760 m², above national per-child space minimums.
How does Oz Education Tuggerah keep children safe?
The centre’s nappy change and children’s bathroom areas have glass walls, so all personal care happens in view of other educators and no adult is ever alone with a child out of sight. The centre follows the National Quality Framework and child-safe standards.