We know that many families are feeling the pinch right now. Whether it’s the rising cost of groceries, housing, or energy, cost-of-living pressures are impacting households across Australia. At Mother Duck Childcare and Kindergarten, we understand – and we want to share why our daily childcare fees are more affordable than many of our competitors, without ever compromising on the quality of care or education we provide.

More than 30 Years of Putting Families First

Mother Duck has been proudly supporting Queensland families for over three decades. From the beginning, our Founders Denis and Ros Hinton were deeply committed to offering high-quality early childhood education that was accessible to the local community. They opened the first Mother Duck centre in Enoggera with a simple but powerful goal: build strong, lasting relationships with families while making a positive difference in the lives of children.

Affordable Fees Have Always Been Part of Our DNA

Our daily fees are set with care, and increases are never taken lightly. Each year, the Mother Duck Management Committee undertakes a thorough review of fee structures to ensure we remain as affordable as possible. We don’t just follow market trends — we consider the impact on families and aim to make conservative decisions grounded in research and empathy.

Owner-Operators Who Are Passionate Educators

At Mother Duck, each of our centres is led by a Franchisee who is also a qualified early childhood professional. These are people who chose this path not for profit, but out of a genuine love for children and education. Their deep commitment to quality means they are invested in more than just business success — they are invested in relationships, in community, and in giving children the best possible start in life.

Because of the hands-on nature of their work and the close bonds they build with families, our Franchisees take pride in keeping fees as reasonable as possible. The profit they earn is a by-product of their hard work, not the driving force behind their service.

A Thoughtful Approach — Not Corporate Profit-Driven

Many large competitors in the childcare sector are driven by aggressive growth strategies, often led by corporate boards, accountants, and investors focused on the bottom line. In contrast, the Mother Duck Management Committee — made up entirely of early childhood professionals (with the exception of our Founder) — makes decisions grounded in what’s best for children, educators, and families. This is a significant reason why our fees stay lower.

Investing in People and Quality — Not Just Profit

We’re proud to say that our commitment to quality extends beyond our centres and into the well-being of our team. Last year, we finalised an Enterprise Agreement that provides our educators with wages 16.5% to 30% above award, far exceeding many other providers. We believe educators deserve to be recognised and rewarded for the incredible role they play in children’s lives — and our Franchisees agree. They continuously reinvest into their centres to create beautiful, inspiring learning environments for children.

The Mother Duck Commitment

Affordable, high-quality early childhood education is not just possible — it’s something we’ve been delivering for over 30 years. It’s in our history, our structure, and our values. At Mother Duck, we’re here for the long term — for our children, our families, and our community.