Council-operated childcare centres are often cheaper than private ones, because they are subsidised by ratepayers, but Holroyd Council childcare fees are on the rise.

They increased last year and will be raised again next financial year, if the council approves.

Several state government-run pre-schools in the area which had previously been free have started to charge parents from this year.

The six pre-schools, attached to public schools including Rosehill, Granville, Yates Avenue in Dundas and others, will now charge parents between $20 and $40 a child, a day (see breakout box).

The Sun spoke to several mums picking up their children from the Holroyd Children's Centre in Merrylands this week and found out that rising childcare costs are a worry for most families.

Linda Luu, of Merrylands, said she takes two children to the centre and prices have increased every year she's used the service.

"It's always by a small amount, but it does add up," Ms Luu said.

"At the moment it is affordable for us, but it won't be if it keeps increasing. I hope the price isn't raised by too much more."

Sarah Crawford, of Parramatta, (pictured with her son Crosby) said that while the charges at the centre had increased, it was still much cheaper than other centres in the area when its extra services were factored in.

"Here they provide nappies, food and milk and it's still a little bit less than most of the private centres," Ms Crawford said.

She has been taking her son Crosby, 23 months, to the centre for a year.

"It's a big cost, but this centre is great," she said.

Alison Ozhan said she had taken her two sons to all sorts of childcare centres.

"We've been to private, to family day care and to the council-run centres and they're all expensive," Ms Ozhan said.

"Private childcare is the most expensive and the care isn't the best quality.

"When I was taking him to the private childcare I was paying nearly $100 per day, but now I'm paying $375 per week, so it is affordable and I do get government rebates but that usually goes back in to paying for things for the children.

"A girlfriend of mine pays more than $120 per day, some of the prices are just crazy. It almost doesn't make working worthwhile."

Ms Ozhan, of Merrylands, said she can't afford not to work, so will continue using childcare no matter how much it costs, but it is a big expense for her.

"As long as I get something back from the government, that helps," she said.

"I've got a mortgage to pay so I have to rely on childcare."