Childcare - How Much Do You Pay?

Lord Fart Bucket on 21/03/2018 - 09:30
Last edited 12/01/2020 - 15:33 by 1 other user

Morning OzB.

What brought this question on? A fee increase letter. I will now be charged $109 per day for childcare for my 4 year old (Parramatta NSW area).

Of course, there's little real justification in the letter… I know the staff aren't getting a pay rise. Yes, cost of living (groceries, electricity, etc) has gone up… but it's an increase per child of $10 per day. With over 50 children at this centre and the owner having 4 centres, it's looking like a nice money grab of over $500,000 per year. (50 kids per centre, 5 days per week, 52 weeks a year, 4 centres).

And yes, they do have you by the balls as it is hard to move your kid when he/she has friends there, places are limited, etc.

So, here's my question… how much do you get charged per day (excluding government rebates, etc). How old is your child… and what's the postcode of the childcare centre?

Financial Childcare

Comments

        • Scrooge McDuck on 21/03/2018 - 12:19
          +15

          So let me get this straight: You get free food, free lodging, free money AND you get to play with other people's children!?

          Can a man be employed as an au pair?

        • CheapSticks on 21/03/2018 - 14:31

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          he he !!

        • ravBlr1982 on 23/03/2018 - 14:31

          how abt the au pair reviews… are they good?

    • OzzyOzbourne on 21/03/2018 - 19:09

      That would fix 2 issues!

    • Slippage on 22/03/2018 - 09:06

      You do lose some freedoms. I.e. you can't walk around the house naked…

  • shaybisc on 21/03/2018 - 11:08

    Why don't the underpaid childcare workers organise and start their own business? There is a weird disconnect between high fees and low wages in the current model. Suggests big ripoff to me but I'm not following the issue.

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 21/03/2018 - 11:44
      +11

      There's big regulatory hoops to jump through before you can start that.

      • idonotknowwhy on 21/03/2018 - 17:30

        I figured it'd be something like that.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 21/03/2018 - 12:28
      +9

      Why don't the underpaid childcare workers organise and start their own business?

      Because the proletariat lacks initiative.

      • altomic on 21/03/2018 - 12:42
        +11

        the workers must seize the means of production.

  • Looking4Bargians on 21/03/2018 - 11:23

    $99 per day for 4 year old

  • Quantumcat on 21/03/2018 - 11:38
    +1

    For a four year old shouldn't you be getting 2 or 3 free days at preschool? Or is that just ACT?

    • Slippage on 22/03/2018 - 09:08

      Just ACT, NSW preschool is optional and is not government funded.

      Our local public preschool is means tested, very cheap if you are on centerlink. For us it is cheaper to send them to a private school.

      • Quantumcat on 22/03/2018 - 10:30
        +5

        Oh ok, well it is good that people on lower incomes aren't shut out of early learning for financial reasons

    • susu abis on 22/03/2018 - 14:25

      In WA, it depends on the individual schools.

    • Shutterfish on 22/03/2018 - 19:27

      In Qld, a 4 year old can go to gov funded kindy ~$2k per year 5 daysper fortnight.

  • sandman87 on 21/03/2018 - 11:45

    $96 per day, 10 month old. All food included, need to provide own nappies. Blacktown, NSW

      • sandman87 on 21/03/2018 - 19:16
        +41

        What do you mean by that? That somehow because we are putting our kid in daycare at that age we are doing them a disservice or not loving them enough? As far as I see it, I could keep my child out of daycare and either my wife or I forego work to care for our child…. and then not have enough money to pay our mortgage. That would be irresponsible. Our parents are unable to care for our child as they still work. Paying for our child to go to daycare means that we can do the following
        1. Pay our mortgage and therefore provide a safe and secure place to raise our child.
        2. Earn enough money to provide for our child
        3. Save a bit of money to do fun things as a family
        4. Provide our child with the opportunity to socialise with other kids, learn new things, etc.

        In our circumstance, not putting our child in daycare would be irresponsible. For you, if you have kids, it maybe different.

        Before you go judging other people's decisions, perhaps you should think before you talk. It's people like you who say thoughtless things to parents, that make parents doubt themselves and feel like shit when all they're trying to do the right thing for their family and the wellbeing of their children.

        • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 20:07
          +13

          Agreed. My daughter went in at 9 months. Fkn loved it. Great for their social skills and confidence. And great for my wife's sanity (and mine!).

        • bad hombre on 22/03/2018 - 12:23
          +2

          Our first born went in at 20 months. I think you're right it gives them an opportunity to socialise. However, young kids don't really play together until around 2 any ways. My wife and I used to take him to play groups and play centres all the time. He is three and a half now and enjoys it. Our youngest is 17 months now and think it's time for him to step put into the world.

          You're right if there are mortgages and bills to pay you do need both parents working.

        • Chubbsmcfatflabs on 23/03/2018 - 13:41
          -1

          I have a warning. If you have a child in childcare do not read on as I have a controversial opinion on this. Apologies in advance. many of you won't like this.

          Don't get a mortgage until you can afford it.

          Don't have kids until you can afford it.

          The cold hard truth which I am sure will get me many down votes is that children are highly costly responsibility, that many people think are a right, rather than a privilege.

          My 2 children have never been in childcare. My wife and & I would never put them in such a place.

          In this "all about me" world, people lose sight of what it is they are doing and at times it seems that the kids are merely there to be put on Instagram to show everyone else just how cute they are, rather than seeing the kids as real human beings.

          They are part of the big happy family package that includes the McMansion, trips to Bali and the leased luxury vehicle.

          Placing kids in childcare abrogates responsibility to institutions which are barely legal, poorly regulated, money making ventures, where despite what they tell you, don't care about your child any more than the next direct debit cycle for fees.

          Funnily enough I feel the same way about nursing homes.

          No one cares for a child more than the parent.

          I await your down votes..

        • iclee30 on 23/03/2018 - 16:41
          +5

          @Chubbsmcfatflabs:

          I don't understand why you have such a negative view on child care. You must have seen some really bad centres or have had really bad experiences? Not all centres are bad, and the high quality ones can be quite beneficial to the child. I don't need to use child care as I have flexible work arrangement, and both grandparents are living near by and keen to babysit, but I purposely pay money to put him in childcare twice a week ($130/day) as I wanted to provide him a different learning opportunity. He loves it there, and you can see how much fun he has. He has a great relationship with the educators and you can see and feel that they care about him too.

          Benefits of going to child care:
          - The early childhood educators provides great learning experiences for my son. They have lots of educational resources that I don't have.

          • The centre provides a structure and routine similar to schooling, so it will make it easier transition for kindergarten/school.

          • The consistent social interaction between peers and adults helps create independence and confidence. Children who are provided these opportunities tend to transition into school with much more ease and confidence.

          • Exposure to food that I may not normally consume. The centre my son goes to cook their own meals and are focused on balanced diet. 3-weeks menu are published regularly for you. My son seems to be more motivated to eat well too, as all his peers are eating with him.

          • They get sick but their immune system gets stronger earlier because of it. Children who went to childcare are sick less frequently in school, than those who didn't go to child care. Hence they miss less classes. I guess depends on how you look at it, this may be a con for some.

          At the end of the day, not going to childcare is also fine and you can achieve everything above at home if you wanted to (with great effort, I applaud you). But it's not as bad as you make it out to be. Yes childcare is a business, but the educators in those room are real people. While some of them are just there for a paycheck, the good ones are much much much more than that.

      • BestofOZB on 21/03/2018 - 20:51
        +2

        We sent our kid at age of 10 months for
        2 days a week even though my wife was at home, it is the best thing we did for her social skills.

      • Me88 on 22/03/2018 - 13:17
        +1

        My 9 month old is in daycare 2 days and loves it, ($105/day, 2304) he is incredibly social and active so just LOVES being with the other kids (doesn't play with them, but seems fascinated by them) and teachers and playing in a different space when he is there.

        It's great for their social skills, learning, and immune systems. Not to mention I can go to work, earn some extra $$ and keep my skills current.

        For our family it definitely 'right':)

  • boomramada on 21/03/2018 - 12:34
    +1

    Child care question, if you go on holiday, you still have to pay for the childcare?

    • Shibuya on 21/03/2018 - 12:40
      +2

      yes, the child care worker still needs to work whether you kid is sick or away on holidays so payment is still required.

      • syousef on 22/03/2018 - 06:47
        +1

        Nice little brainwashed parent. Btw your payment is overdue. Remember you must stay 6 weeks ahead at all times.

        • idonotknowwhy on 22/03/2018 - 17:03

          lolwut?

        • syousef on 22/03/2018 - 17:13
          +2

          @idonotknowwhy:

          If you don't go into your regular coffee shop, do you pay for the coffee anyway, because the barrista still needs to work wether you are away or not? Think about it.

        • Shibuya on 23/03/2018 - 09:01

          @syousef:
          Very poor example syousef, do you need to register for your coffee or sign an agreement that you will be there x many days a week?
          I am sure if you prebooked your coffees for the week, the coffee shop will still charge you whether you turn up or not. If your coffee shop example is the type of centre you send your kids to I would be worried.

        • syousef on 23/03/2018 - 09:31
          +2

          @Shibuya:

          It's not a poor example at all. You would never be asked to pre-book a coffee for the week. Even as a regular. The barrista and coffee shop owner don't tell you how they need to earn a living whether you're drinking coffee or not. Doing so would be considered rude. You'd go elsewhere. When was the last time you paid for a coffee you didn't drink because the coffee shop was shut for a public holiday?

          And there is actually a shortage of child care spots. You could fill them on a standby basis.

          With child care it's the same as over-selling flights or non-refundable deposits for accommodation even when bookings are full. It's just a money grab. Especially where you can give weeks of notice, like overseas family holidays.

          A generation or two ago the prices we pay were unthinkable. The regulations brought in on the pretext of improved safety for the children, are just about restricting supply. Restricted supply, increasing demand. You do the math.

      • Marty131 on 22/03/2018 - 20:55
        +2

        Is there one childcare worker per kid?

    • Looking4Bargians on 21/03/2018 - 14:29
      +2

      you can pre-book for half charges for holidays but you have to tell them in advance. You get 5 or 6 per year i think

      • Lord Fart Bucket on 21/03/2018 - 15:30
        +5

        Pretty sure that depends on the centre…

    • mjp80 on 22/03/2018 - 08:14
      +10

      Yes, and you also get the privilege of paying on public holidays when the centre is closed!

      • Slippage on 22/03/2018 - 09:09
        +1

        I love this… not

      • Qkumber on 22/03/2018 - 13:32

        We get make up days for public holidays. Only useful if you are booked in 4 or less days per week

    • Ulysses31 on 22/03/2018 - 20:50

      Yes.
      Same with public holidays etc etc.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 13:08
    +17

    Wow, this thread really makes me not want to have children. What a waste of money. $350/week is about $18k/year. That's one hell of a holiday you could be going on instead. That's also without factoring in all the other expenses…

    • dcep on 21/03/2018 - 13:40

      $1m to 18yo

    • ausdday on 21/03/2018 - 13:45

      Don't worry. The government will take money from them in a form of Tax, and give it back to you, in a form of subsidy, minus some processing fees (the gap).

      • Scrooge McDuck on 21/03/2018 - 14:01

        How much for a ticket off this rock?

        • resubaehtgnolhcs on 22/03/2018 - 00:17

          About $250,000 according to Virgin Galactic

        • syousef on 22/03/2018 - 06:49
          -6

          If you move to America, bullets are cheap and widely available.

          But I recommend you pick up some popcorn instead, and enjoy watching the madness on this rock.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 22/03/2018 - 08:47
          +2

          @syousef:

          I don't mind being attacked by you people, but encouraging suicide is not on. I draw the line there.

          Many more people than me read these replies and some may not be in a good state of mind.

          https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/08/is-it-legal-to-encoura…

        • syousef on 22/03/2018 - 10:52
          -2

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          I did not encourage suicide thank you very bloody much.

          You're the one that raised the spectre of it in the first place with the phrase "a ticket off this rock".

          I said I'd rather you buy some popcorn and be entertained by the world. There was no attack, nevermind enticement to suicide. The problem is yours. You can't even tell when someone is actually attacking you! I was basically telling you to chill and break out popcorn.

          And if you're in a state of mind where you're going to take that innocent joke as an excuse to top yourself, being on the Internet is dangerous. There are much darker things said on this board every bloody day.

          Virtue signaling is getting out of hand! How the @#$% can the idea of the expensive proposition of travelling to America to save on the expense of a bullet be taken as a serious encitement to suicide? Even before reading that I recommended against it. Get a clue and read and correctly comprehend what was written before flying off the handle and accusing someone of something with very serious legal ramifications. You took the time to look up an article on enticement to suicide, but you didn't take the time to actually bother reading the 2 lines I actually wrote. I would never tell my worst enemy to top themselves let alone some random Ozbargain member.

          @#$% !!!

        • syousef on 22/03/2018 - 12:51
          -1

          @Scrooge McDuck:

          I am going to repeat this until you run out of down votes. I did NOT and never have encouraged anyone to commit suicide. Learn to read and comprehend.

        • Salmando on 24/03/2018 - 18:19

          @syousef:
          I dunno… Looks like a suicide recommendation to me.

          But I laughed, so I guess I'm a horrible person.

          Free suicides for everyone!

        • syousef on 24/03/2018 - 18:53
          -1

          @Salmando:

          If "But I recommend you pick up some popcorn instead" looks like a suicide recommendation go back to all the schools you went to and demand a refund.

        • Salmando on 24/03/2018 - 20:05
          +1

          @syousef:
          Nah, it was your opening "If you move to America, bullets are cheap and widely available." comment that looked like a suicide recommendation. But all good, you added 'jks' so obviously I'm the stupid one

        • syousef on 24/03/2018 - 21:08
          -2

          @Salmando:

          And as I said, who the hell could take the idea of going overseas at great cost to get bullets cheaply as a real suicide recommendation, even before I wrote the rest.

          In any case "Well you could do X, but I'd rather you do Y" is not a recommendation for X. it is a recommendation for Y.

          When X is "get off this rock", given the available options, it implies X is suicide.

          It is more than a small stretch to accuse me of inciting suicide and point me at legal cases where extreme bullying has resulted in a criminal sentence.

        • Salmando on 25/03/2018 - 00:27
          +1

          @syousef:
          As Scrooge said "Many more people than me read these replies and some may not be in a good state of mind"

          You saying 'you could kill yourself' is a recommendation, even if you follow it up with 'or not'.

          I'm not pointing you anywhere, like I said I laughed at the suggestion.

        • syousef on 25/03/2018 - 00:33

          @Salmando:

          And as I said, Scrooge brought it up first when he suggested "getting off this rock". To then turn it around like that is ridiculous.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 10:17

          @syousef:

          "If you move to America, bullets are cheap and widely available."

          The implication you made in your first sentence was clear. Whether it was a joke or not, it was inappropriate, and not what Scrooge was talking about.

          Don't bother defending yourself, and move on. Not funny man.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 10:30

          @Cartman2530:

          "If you move to America, bullets are cheap and widely available."
          The implication you made in your first sentence was clear.

          Sure. Take it completely out of context you can twist it that way.

          You conveniently ignored Scrooge McDuck's comment "how do I get off this rock". Yet somehow to you, there isn't a clear implication. Did you think he was asking how to apply for a mission to the ISS with "off this rock"?

          And then you completely ignore that I followed with "But I recommend you pick up some popcorn instead, and enjoy watching the madness on this rock.". So there's your goddamn recommendation right there. Don't kill yourself, have some popcorn and laugh it off. It was a two line reply telling someone to lighten up in response to someone who said something extremely negative - that they wanted to "get off this rock". Not difficult to understand what I'm saying. Unless you have an agenda.

          I will repeat again. I did not suggest suicide. Scrooge brought it up first. I'm going to report this if you continue.

          Don't bother defending yourself, and move on. Not funny man.

          What isn't funny is goddamn slander.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 10:39

          @syousef: Whatever dude, not going to argue with someone that can't see when they are wrong. Its a pointless exercise.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 10:40

          @Cartman2530:

          Telling someone "you're wrong" is not an argument. I presented a clear one, and all you presented a distortion taken completely out of context which I tore apart. I'm not going to repeat myself again.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 10:54

          @syousef:
          Like I said, I don't care for any answer you have, as its clear I'm not going to change your mind about your comment. It was in poor taste. And there are more than a few people that would agree.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 10:55

          @Cartman2530:

          I really don't care what you think. I do care what you're accusing me of.

          I don't care who would agree. Truth and reality aren't a popularity contest.

          The "recommendation" was clear. Don't "get off this rock". Instead eat ****ing popcorn. End of story.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 11:02

          @syousef:

          Exactly, you don't care. Well said. It shows in your poor taste for jokes.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 11:04

          @Cartman2530:

          No. I clearly said I don't care WHO YOU AGREE WITH. Once again you're twisting my words. What a surprise.

          Clearly I DO care when someone accuses me of inciting suicide. Every response I've made shows that. But here is why I don't care what you think: You have no interest in what someone else is actually saying.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 11:09

          @syousef:

          Oh I wasn't referencing your previous comment, you would realise that if you read my post correctly.

          I'd re-write it out for you but I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT MYSELF AGAIN.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 11:12

          @Cartman2530:

          You are clearly trolling. Nothing better to do?

          Edit: Never mind. Stupid question when you decide you feel the need to respond to a thread that's had no activity for 4 days.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 11:18

          @syousef:

          No, you could have just said sorry and apologised for the comment, clearly that is beneath you and I'm calling you out on it.

          As for your comments, I consider them trolling as no sane person would continue to argue the point that you do.

          Just apologise and retract the post.

        • syousef on 29/03/2018 - 11:22

          @Cartman2530:

          I will not apologise for something I haven't done. You know I won't. And you're just trolling.

          You just called me insane for holding a different point of view to you. I'm just going to report it. I have better things to do.

        • Cartman2530 on 29/03/2018 - 11:27

          @syousef: Whatever dude.

    • idonotknowwhy on 21/03/2018 - 17:33
      +6

      Some people don't seem to understand this, but you really don't have any obligation to breed. If you'd rather have an 18k (or more like 30k) holiday every year, go ahead and do it!
      You could buy an 80k car every 2-3 years instead if you prefer.

      • [Deactivated] on 21/03/2018 - 18:05
        +2

        Oh yeh, I'm definitely aware of that! I'm 50/50 on whether I want children or not and I'm still trying to find that one thing that will tip me to either side. Luckily I'm only in my early 20's and don't need to worry about it for at least another 5 years :)

        • tigs6969 on 22/03/2018 - 00:35

          I'm 29, haven't been laid or in a relationship in 8 years. Snip snip it is!

        • [Deactivated] on 22/03/2018 - 01:02
          +9

          @tigs6969:

          Can probably save the $$ for a snip since you obviously don't need it :p

        • techno2000 on 22/03/2018 - 10:12
          +2

          I have only one kid .One reason was definitely childcare but its not only the money.The sheer amount of time and energy required to take care of children while watching my remaining life become shorter and shorter led me to stop at one.And remember the demands on your money and time and energy do not stop even when they cross 18.

          As one of my friends said "One is a necessity,two is a luxury".

          But i have many colleagues who are having 3 kids or more but they have good family help and money etc.

          Ideally if there were no time and money and energy constraints then i would love to have 2 kids.

          Hoping for 2 grand children in the future though.

        • idonotknowwhy on 22/03/2018 - 13:08

          +1 Yep, take your time and enjoy your 20's!

          My comment might seem obvious, but I'm a bit older than you, and have seen some of my peers have children which they didn't really want to have for reasons such as:
          1. My friends are having them
          2. My son/daughter needs a sibling
          3. Mum/Dad want grandchildren
          4. Also noticed that women in mothers clubs, etc, judge you if you only want to have 1 child. "Oh, how selfish!" Not sure if any children were produced because of that, but society can be annoying sometimes.

      • Duram on 22/03/2018 - 11:20
        -1

        All fine and good EXCEPT that the rest of us are forced to fund the subsidies regardless if we get any benefit from them or not.

        • techno2000 on 22/03/2018 - 12:49
          +2

          You will get benefits eventually coz who do you think is going to fund your pension if there are no young people to work .Also when you are wearing adult nappies in your eigties and nineties you need some youngsters to change them right??

        • Duram on 22/03/2018 - 12:55

          @techno2000: I won't be eligible for the pension. Robot's will change my nappies.

        • idonotknowwhy on 22/03/2018 - 14:22

          @Duram: Who is going to build and maintain the robots?

        • Duram on 22/03/2018 - 14:29

          @idonotknowwhy: I'll answer seriously this time around, this entire system of taxing each other for the benefits of others while the government takes their cut in between and squanders half of it is a joke. We should all be responsible for our selves the government should provide a military and police force at the maximum.

        • idonotknowwhy on 22/03/2018 - 15:07

          @Duram:
          I know what you mean, and I lean more towards your view myself. The system has been implemented very, very inefficiently (mostly intentionally, because people are greedy).
          The main problem with your system though, is the same thing will happen. It might start out fine, but there will be scope-creep, which and people in power will gradually take away our rights one at a time.

          You can see this pattern with any systems we create, even bitcoin.

        • Salmando on 24/03/2018 - 18:21

          @idonotknowwhy:
          More robots. Robots to build robots, and robots to repair robots. Robots for everyone yay!

    • OzzyOzbourne on 21/03/2018 - 19:11

      One of many reasons!

    • ozlab on 23/03/2018 - 14:35

      There is always a way to get more money. But having children are not about money only.

  • pingualien on 21/03/2018 - 13:19
    +1

    Buy them bose headphones and bring them to work

    • dcep on 21/03/2018 - 13:40
      +3

      you forgot duct tape

    • reactor-au on 22/03/2018 - 00:17

      The Sony's can be had for cheaper

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