For families new to paying for childcare, the fees can feel confusing or overwhelming at first. Understanding the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and what is included in your centre’s fees can make it all feel much clearer.
At Cressy Road Early Learning, we aim for transparency with our families and offer both value and support for families navigating the finances of childcare.
How do Childcare Fees Work in Sydney?
Childcare fees can vary widely, depending on location, care hours, educator qualifications and what is included in the base fee. Fees in Sydney tend to be a little higher due to the average cost of living here and the high staffing standards in the city. Quality of care and what’s included in the fees will also vary between providers.
All approved childcare services in Australia must meet the National Quality Standard (NQS) meaning that the fees you pay should reflect a centre’s investment in their staff, the safety of the environment and the high-quality program provided to the children
The Child Care Subsidy Made Simple
The CCS is a payment from the Australian Government that reduces the cost of approved childcare places. The amount a family can receive depends on the combined household income, the hours of care requested and the approved hourly rate cap.
Families must apply through myGov – unfortunately we can’t do this part of the process for you. There is, however, a Services Australia CCS Calculator to estimate your entitlement to financial support.
At Cressy Road Early Learning we are experienced in this system and are well placed to advise you on how the CCS applies to our booking patterns and your child’s attendance.
What do Childcare Fees Include?
When registering your child with a daycare provider, you should always ask what your fees cover. Transparency from centres helps you to compare the value of different providers fairly. A reputable centre should outline the inclusions in their fees in their enrolment pack and fee schedule.
These are common inclusions in daycare fees:
- Healthy meals and snacks prepared onsite for children
- Nappies and wipes (where appropriate)
- Early learning programs that are clearly aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
- Additional educational experiences e.g. music classes, language learning or movement and sports-based activities
Avoiding Surprises in Your Fees
Some centres charge extras on top of fees, and it’s important that you are aware of them so that you don’t get caught out with an unexpected bill. When you are asking about inclusions, make sure to ask about additional charges, too.
Extra costs could include:
- Late pick up charge, if you are late for collection at the end of a session
- Optional extracurriculars or trips off-site from the daycare centre
- Clothing or fundraiser items
None of these charges should be sprung on you as a surprise. In fact, under the NQS, childcare providers are obliged to provide clear communication with families. Leadership means ensuring that families of children at a centre are well-informed of any changes to their regular bill.
Conclusion
Paying for your child’s care is an investment in their wellbeing, learning and early development. Ensuring that you choose a high-quality provider is key but so is ensuring transparency about fee structures and any extras that may be added.
Understanding the Child Care Subsidy and your chosen centre’s fee structure will help you to plan with confidence for the financial side of your child’s care. If you would like some help on understanding how government funding could help to reduce your out-of-pocket payments, our friendly team at Cressy Road Early Learning will be happy to guide and support you.