I started DS at kindy when he turned 3. That is the age that it becomes free for 20 hours a week here. If I had to pay then I may not have bothered because I am a stay at home mum so it doesn't seem right to lose an entire income so I can stay at home and then pay for them to be looked after by someone else iykwim.

I am really happy with the decision though and now he is doing 4 half days per week. He has become soooo much more confident and social since starting. He was a kid that needed the social interaction - he was always a stand back kind of kid and he didn't enjoy music/playgroups that we went to and we don't have friends/family that visit so it was basically just us.

But it really is each to their own. There is no reason you have to send them to daycare if you are happy with having them at home.