Parent Information
Commonwealth Child Care Benefit is a payment to help families who use approved child care. You can choose to receive your Child Care Benefit to reduce child care fees each week or as a lump sum payment at the end of the financial year.
If you choose to receive reduced child care fees, your Child Care Benefit will be paid directly to your child care service (Shellharbour/Kiama Family Day Care). The amount of your benefit will be deducted from your fees.
If you choose to claim Child Care Benefit as a lump sum you will pay full child care fees and claim payment at the end of the financial year. To claim Child Care Benefit you need to complete a claim form and submit it to the Family Assistance Office at Centrelink or your local Medicare Office.
Priority of Access Guidelines
The Scheme is required to adhere to the Priority of Access laid down by the Dept of Family & Community Services.
First Priority: A child at risk of serious abuse or neglect.
Second Priority: A child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both satisfy the work/training/study test under section 14 of the Family Assistance Act.
Third Priority: Any other child.
If the Scheme has no vacancies the parents will be placed on a waiting list and contacted as soon as a placement can be provided
Payment of Fees
The educators within the Scheme have their own individual fee structure. If the parent is not eligible for Child Care Benefit the full fee applies. If you are experiencing difficulty in paying fees due to exceptional circumstances, please contact your Educator to discuss payment options.
On the first day of care parents pay two weeks' fees, one week of care plus one week in advance. The weekly fee thereafter has to be paid on the first day of attendance. It is essential that parents go to the Family Assistance Office and lodge a form for Child Care Benefits before the child commences with Family Day Care.
Failure to pay fees may result in Child's place being forfeited
Enrolment Procedures
All children coming into care must be approved by the Scheme with regard to the "Priority of Access Government Guidelines". Parents needing care should contact the Scheme. Family details will be recorded by staff at the Co-ordination Unit on a waiting list form. Each week staff go through the waiting list and place children when the needs of the families and Educators vacancies match. Once the parent has been contacted by the office they must contact the educator within 24hours or the vacancy will be offered to another family
Enrolling in the Scheme
Ater being given the name of an available educator by the Coordination Unit, please contact the educator and arrange a meeting. Take your child and allow at least 1/2 an hour to discuss the following:
• The days and hours of care you require and whether permanent or casual
• Your child's development e.g. toileting, feeding,speech, walking etc
• The child's nutritional requirements
• Attitudes to behaviour management, toilet training, sleeping etc
• Anxiety about separation, both yours and your child's
Once you have made your decision please ring the office to arrange a time to fill in the forms at the office. At enrolment, please provide the following:
• Vaccination details for your child/ren
• Enrolment fee of $20
• Child's Birth Certificate
• Name and phone numbers of at least two emergency contact persons,
• Address and phone number of the family doctor
• Medicare card
• Current Income Assessment Notice from the Family Assistance Office
• Any court orders relating to your child
REMEMBER - to consider hours carefully when first placing children. Allow time to settle your child, as on any day the educator may have a number of children who require support to separate from their parents. Renegotiate times with the carer immediately if you find that you have not left yourself enough time
What to take to the Educators Home
• A spare set of clothes and underwear in case of accidents
• A set of warm/cool clothes in case of weather changes
• A hat and sunscreen
• An adequate supply of nappies
• Prepared bottles and baby food
• Snacks, lunch and drinks
We trust that your time with Family Day Care will be a very happy and rewarding time for you and your child. We look forward to meeting you and to being of assistance in the future.
