Childcare providers are increasing their prices to meet the demands of federal legislation that came into effect on January 1, which requires centres to increase their staff-to-infant ratios from one-to-five to one-to-four.

Coonara Early Learning Centre, a neighbourhood house in Upper Ferntree Gully, will raise its fees by $6, and up to $30 more for a three-hour session.

House co-ordinator Carol Czaplowski said the significant fee increases were due to the increased staff ratios in the legislation.

Ms Czaplowski said Coonara's enrolment numbers hadn't decreased, but that could change later in the year.

"The parents weren't happy with the price increase, but they are prepared to pay because of our reputation.

"But this could inflict some financial hardship on our parents. As the year goes on, the reality of these fee rises could cause some to reconsider their position."

The price increases can be reduced for some families through application for the childcare rebate.

A spokeswoman for Goodstart Early Learning Centres, which operates several centres in Knox, said while there were no cost increases at some of the centres, others had also risen by up to $6 a day.

She said families at their centres had been "delighted to see the one-to-four ratio in practice".

Parents who have children in council-run centres could face very minimal price increases.

Parents who have children in council-run centres will face very minimal price increases.

Knox Council last night made the decision that fees should increase from $87.36 per week to $88, and occasional care fees should rise to $9.53 per hour, up from $9.26 last year.