The Mercury spoke with a dozen parents and several educators with many reporting conflicting information including when a PCR or RAHT (rapid antigen home test) was needed, who would supply and pay for the tests, whether kids aged two and under should be subject to a RAHT, the validity of RAHT tests, and how long centres needed to close if there was an exposure.

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The department's website explains under the program staff or kids exposed to COVID-19 at a centre would be considered at high risk of developing the virus, though they'd be able to return to the service after isolating until they received a negative PCR result or if they took a daily rapid antigen home test before attending for seven days after exposure.

The director of a Shellharbour preschool, who did not want to be named, said there was "total confusion in the sector, no consistency" with information changing daily.

"It's been a constantly changing situation from day to day," she said. "It would nice nice if we were given a directive rather than 'no longer mandatory but highly recommended'. "

Nadine Wright has a daughter attending childcare in Towradgi and another about to return to school, and despite welcoming the program she still held concerns.

"My biggest concern is how are they going to manage it with such shortages [of RAHTs] at the moment," she said.

Kristen McDonald has three children attending Point Street Early Learning Centre and said while information around the program had been confusing she did see the benefits.

"It's been confusing to say the least but I'm glad the centre is working to find solutions that support working families whilst still maintaining safe protocols," Ms McDonald said. "If the centre shut every time there was a close contact we would be without care for a long time I imagine."

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She believed her centre would receive a supply of RAHT after notifying authorities of a positive COVID-case, though other parents were told they would need to source and pay for them.

A spokesman for the Department confirmed they would be proactively sending RAHT kits to all services, "to allow educators to start testing following a positive case exposure and return to work so that services can continue to operate". To see their full statement scroll down.

Gerringong educator Rebecca Courage will run the program as required by her provider, but said it fails to consider smaller Family Daycare like hers.

"We are bringing children into our home and test to stay is not appropriate for our setting," she said. "To have a positive case in the service should mean closure. I've heard some stories of a negative RAHT when they should have been positive, and how do we know parents are testing properly if at all. How do we record a result truthfully."

Labor's health spokesman Ryan Park said he was concerned around the supply of RAHT not being available for families and called for them to be made freely available.

"The Government must provide clarity to parents and carers across NSW, preparation and communication is the key to our state getting through this period and to keeping our community safe," he said.

The Mercury also contacted the offices of the Premier and NSW Health for further comment (on the supply on RAHT kits to childcare centres and whether they were suitable for children aged two and under) but they did not respond by the given deadline.

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NSW Department of Education full statement:

The COVID-19 situation in NSW is rapidly evolving and we acknowledge this is a challenging time for ECE services, families and the wider community.

The Department's first priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of children and educators.

Testing and isolation is no longer mandatory but remain strongly recommended for contacts of a positive case in ECE settings, as per updated health advice.

Mandatory isolation requirements now only apply for household contacts which includes family day care settings.

To support the management of positive cases, the Department is proactively sending RAHT kits to all services, to allow educators to start testing following a positive case exposure and return to work so that services can continue to operate.

Given ongoing changes in public health settings, the Department continues to work closely with NSW Health and the Commonwealth Government to provide information and support to all services and families as we navigate the pandemic.

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