Ripoff Fees from Companies

edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 20:40
Last edited 27/09/2023 - 21:02

I have 2 kids going to primary school, and we send them to before and after-school care on a regular basis. I received an email today from my Before and After School care of my local school. From Term 4, they are going to introduce a new fee:

No show fee – If a child is unable to attend a booked session, they must be marked absent on the Parent Portal, or via direct communication with the service. If this is not completed prior to the session starting a $30 fee will be charged.

Now we have regular bookings for my kids, and normally if they don't turn up for whatever reason, they still charge the fee for the booking I do not use. To me, that is fair enough as I hold a spot in the centre when not using it, and they need to have the staff available on the day.

However, this new No Show Fee is over the top. This is $30 ON TOP of the usual fees charged. I simply cannot see justification for this.

Is this becoming common for Before and After School Cares, or even child care centres? I am shocked that they are even introducing this.

What other ripoff fees are you seeing from companies?

UPDATE 1: Sent email to ASC, and this is their response:

Thank you for your email, Yes the fee is charged in addition to the absent fee. The no-show fee is charged as when a child is booked in for a session and we aren’t notified that child will be attending, we use resources from our team to locate that child to ensure they are safe. In addition to this, if the service is at capacity with a waitlist and a spot opens due to a non-attendance, however we aren’t notified, another child will miss out on being able to take part in the session experiences. Please also know that this fee is completely avoidable if you notify us that your child won’t be attending the session prior to the session start time.

Given that the centre is not full since covid and WFH has taken off, I am not convinced that this is to ensure other child are not missed out on spots. To me this is just a money grab, where they grab my money for the spot I held (absent fee), plus either another kid's fee, or "No Show Fee" of $30.

Just to give you a context, the cost for Before School Care: $12.30 per person per session, After School Care: $19.20 per person per session. So to me $30 per session is way too expensive.

General Discussion

Comments

  • mskeggs on 26/09/2023 - 20:46
    +12

    Maybe ask them?
    Perhaps they have a lot of no shows, and a long list of people waiting, so they are hoping to make sure everyone who needs the service gets it.

    • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 20:52
      +7

      Perhaps they have a lot of no shows, and a long list of people waiting

      Why would it matter to them? They are getting paid the same either way. But this way with lots of no shows, its less work for them for the same money!

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 26/09/2023 - 21:37
        +1

        Why would it matter to them?

        Before and After School staff then spend time chasing up the missing child, checking classrooms, library, playground and front office, taking time and staff away from their primary task, looking after the students in attendance.

        • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 22:17
          +2

          LOL Ever used one of these services for primary school kids or just winging it?

          For my kids, you as the parent have to sign the kids in and out. Primary school kids can't sign themselves in without an adult.

          So for before school care there is no 'chasing' up if you don't show up as you the parent aka adult aka the one who has to sign them in know they are not present. You do get an automatic reminder message to say you had been a no show for that seesion once school starts.

          As for after school care, my kids had been escorted by the ASC staff from the classroom when school ends to after school care area. So again, no school ground hunting required. But if your kid was not at school, it was automatically passed through as a no show for after school care. So again, no chasing up like claimed.

          So yeah there is no 'looking' around the school as you claimed. That isn't the after school cares people job. There is a very well defined process that covers custudy of the kids moving from the school to the after school care program.

          In the rare case, that you kid leaves school early and skips ASC without them knowing, they will call you to confirm. But that isn't 20 kids a day they are chasing up like some are claiming.

          The $30 fee is a bullsh!t money grab by the center if they are charging the standard session fees as well for a no show. Pick one, not both.

          • jv on 27/09/2023 - 00:23

            @JimmyF:

            Primary school kids can't sign themselves in without an adult.

            So how exactly does that work with after school care?

            • JimmyF on 27/09/2023 - 10:11

              @jv:

              So how exactly does that work with after school care?

              As I said, there is a custudy process, they are signed in to ASC by an adult.

              • jv on 27/09/2023 - 10:29

                @JimmyF:

                they are signed in to ASC by an adult.

                Who? the parents aren't there.

          • trex on 27/09/2023 - 00:24

            @JimmyF:

            As for after school care, my kids had been escorted by the ASC staff from the classroom when school ends to after school care area. So again, no school ground hunting required. But if your kid was not at school, it was automatically passed through as a no show for after school care. So again, no chasing up like claimed

            Your kids must still be young. When my kids hit Year 2 or 3 (can't remember which year exactly), they have to go to ASC on their own and no longer escorted by ASC staff.

            Fee for non-notified absence is not uncommon but OP's $30 is steep:-
            here (applies for ASC only)
            here
            here
            here

            • JimmyF on 27/09/2023 - 10:14

              @trex:

              Your kids must still be young. When my kids hit Year 2 or 3 (can't remember which year exactly), they have to go to ASC on their own and no longer escorted by ASC staff.

              Only the year 5/6 kids got to go over by themselves as the classrooms are in eye sight of the ASC center, all the other grades had been escorted.

              • trex on 27/09/2023 - 10:15

                @JimmyF: Not at our school. I remember worrying about my son thinking he is too young and is often forgetful getting to ASC on his own. It was Year 2 or 3.

                • JimmyF on 27/09/2023 - 10:17

                  @trex: Yeah thats pretty crappy of the school/ASC then. Mine used to have a couple of the staff go around and gather up the kids from a couple of grades each and take them back. So never had to worry about that.

                  • trex on 27/09/2023 - 10:19

                    @JimmyF: Guess OP’s centre is the same and the reason for the non-notified absence fee 😊

          • DashCam AKA Rolts on 27/09/2023 - 08:26
            +3

            @JimmyF:

            LOL Ever used one of these services for primary school kids or just winging it?

            Teacher of 39 years. Spent more than a few occassions when on after school yard duty responding to OHSC workers looking for students. Had them come to my classroom when I was doing prep and marking after students had been dismissed, asking if a particular student had been at school that day.

            For my kids, you as the parent have to sign the kids in and out. Primary school kids can't sign themselves in without an adult.

            At schools I taught at, students did sign themselves in for after school care. I've seen it when looking for students to pass on something they left in class. Don't have any info on before school.

            As for after school care, my kids had been escorted by the ASC staff from the classroom when school ends to after school care area. So again, no school ground hunting required.

            Not at the upper primary level.

            • JimmyF on 27/09/2023 - 10:10

              @DashCam AKA Rolts:

              Not at the upper primary level.

              Doesn't sound like a upper primary school to me if they let preps and grade 1/2/3 kids make their own way to ASC?

              At schools I taught at, students did sign themselves in for after school care. I've seen it when looking for students to pass on something they left in class. Don't have any info on before school.

              How long ago was this? As its been like this for 6 or more years now. Kids have to be signed in and out by a adult on an approved list.

              LOL @ your primary school letting a grade 2 kid sign themselves out and roam the street. Great care there shown!

              • trex on 27/09/2023 - 10:17
                +1

                @JimmyF:

                Doesn't sound like a upper primary school to me if they let preps and grade 1/2/3 kids make their own way to ASC?

                Not that type of upper primary school. LOL

                Upper primary school = Years 4 to 6

                • JimmyF on 27/09/2023 - 10:20

                  @trex: LOL Ok… Well in mine that was 5/6 could go directly, but lets not ignore that prep/1/2/3/4 grades had been escorted, so basically the bulk of the kids and the kids that would generally go 'missing'.

              • DashCam AKA Rolts on 27/09/2023 - 11:29
                +1

                @JimmyF:

                LOL @ your primary school letting a grade 2 kid sign themselves out and roam the street. Great care there shown!

                Your comprehension is poor. I said:

                At schools I taught at, students did sign themselves in for after school care.

                Notice: sign themselves in for after school care.
                My experience was students from Years 3 to 7 were dismissed from class and would walk to OHSC. Reception, Years 1&2 were collected by OHSC staff. This was at a several school sites I worked at.
                Those most frequently missing were older kids, who wanted to hang out with friends, watching sports practice or playing on the play equipment instead of going to OHSC, rather than the younger students.

    • edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 22:28

      Yes I have sent them an email about this, waiting for their response.

    • HeWhoKnows on 27/09/2023 - 07:48
      -1

      OP should be aware they must maintain certain strick staff to child ratios.
      This costs money!

      So if they have scheduled extra staff and OPs child doesnt show then PAY THE FEE OP!

      • Geoff01 on 27/09/2023 - 09:10
        +2

        They are already paying for the slot,this fee is on top of that. No extra work for staff

        • HeWhoKnows on 28/09/2023 - 17:01

          I didnt realise you pare charged for the time slot, even if your kid is a no-show.
          Thats penalty enough

    • Sinnerator on 27/09/2023 - 08:30
      +1

      c-suite team sit around thinking up different ways they can suck money out of customers, because they know 95% of customers will just pay it (especially in australia)

    • edisonAU on 27/09/2023 - 21:03

      I've sent email and they have responded, added in UPDATE 1.

  • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 20:51

    they still charge the fee for the booking I do not use. To me, that is fair enough as I hold a spot in the centre when not using it, and they need to have the staff available on the day.

    Correct view to have…. You are 'paying' for a spot, if you don't use it, you still pay as they staffed for it and can't fill it.

    However, this new No Show Fee is over the top. This is $30 ON TOP of the usual fees charged. I simply cannot see justification for this.

    That is a new one….. Yeah don't agree with the $30 on top of the usual fees. Are you sure they didn't mean you get charged a $30 no show fee and that is it?

    I would raise it with them and ask them to justify the reason behind the fee considering they are getting the standard fees as well.

    • CheapskateQueen on 26/09/2023 - 22:03
      +1

      not sure why you were negged. i also wondered if the $30 is a cancellation fee instead of the full fee

      • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 22:21

        Mine used to have a 'cancellation fee' if you cancelled after 6pm the day before the session, but didn't charge the standard session rates, so I was ok with that. Hopefully the OP can ask them to clear it up.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2023 - 20:51
    +2

    Vote with your wallet/patronage?

    • edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 22:02

      Won’t work, that means I have to change school as well, or one of us not work.

      • jv on 27/09/2023 - 00:24
        +5

        Quit your job in protest.

  • trex on 26/09/2023 - 20:52
    -6

    When a child does not show up for after school care, the carers would have to hunt around for them. A fee seems fair as this would encourage parents to notify the centre of school absences? I don't get the fee for before school care though.

    • Motek Benzona on 26/09/2023 - 21:33
      +1

      @trex
      Obviously you have no children whatsoever and zero experience of this.

      Ure avin a laugh

      • trex on 27/09/2023 - 00:05
        +1

        lol… yes i am actually having a laugh at your reply

        • Motek Benzona on 27/09/2023 - 07:35
          -3

          That just makes your pathetic post even worse.now please open your wallet and pay the fee as i have. $30 "stupid post" fee whenever i read one :-)

          • trex on 27/09/2023 - 10:01
            -2

            @Motek Benzona: LOL I’m done with after school care mate. Moreover doubt I would be slugged with the $30 fee because I am a responsible adult and parent who would always notify the centre.

    • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 21:09
      +5

      western entitlement

      LOL the western entitlement is the business thinking it is ok charging bullsh!t fees for no reason at all other than they think they can. So in your world you think its fair that the OP gets charged the standard child care fees they would have paid that day and then on top of that a extra $30 fee, just to say screw you thanks for being a customer.

      The center isn't provide any services, but now wanting its standard fees and a $30 'bonus'.

      • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 21:56
        -4

        So rebel. I'll wait to see it on the news.

        Apathy tells me the same victims of ripoffs will continue to enable the same outcome via personal choice and voting intention

    • Motek Benzona on 27/09/2023 - 14:46
      +1

      Welcome to western forums

      Where entitled plebs make nonsense posts they have no clue about (you protractor)

      Comply??? I bet you have 18 boosters and wear 3 masks

      • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 14:54
        -1

        At least I was born here and walk upright

        Can you read and comprehend yet?.
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14341813/redir

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14343122/redir

        • Motek Benzona on 28/09/2023 - 06:24

          At least you were born here?

          Aaaah i get it now..you are one of these insular casual racist aussies alongside being wrong

          Do you also have a mullet and not wear deodorant in your v8?

          GFY

          • Protractor on 28/09/2023 - 09:10
            -1

            @Motek Benzona: Wrong on all counts. Ditto to you

            It didn't go unnoticed that you just breezed by the links that expose the OPs dead end to responsibility.

            • Motek Benzona on 29/09/2023 - 07:23

              @Protractor: Wtf are you on about?

              It does not matter what anyone else says, im talking about you and YOU are talking absolute 100% bollocks about complying and the like

              Don't deflect from the crap you wrote Mr "I was born here"

              • Protractor on 29/09/2023 - 09:06

                @Motek Benzona: So you spend the whole thread calling out anyone who disagrees with your support for lazy entitlement behaviour, and have nothing to say about the multiple times it has been pointed out all the OP (anyone in the same boat) has to do is phone in. Not sleep in.

                Still true though > I < was born here.

                • tooblue on 29/09/2023 - 11:26

                  @Protractor: Last time I did a Ctrl-F, Protractor appeared 20 times while Motek Benzona appeared 4 times on this page (both excluding being @).
                  It seems it is actual you that is "spend the whole thread calling out anyone who disagrees with you".

                  • Protractor on 29/09/2023 - 12:02
                    -1

                    @tooblue: Congrats on your data analysis work. Use it to skive tax and medicare savings.

  • djones145 on 26/09/2023 - 21:11
    +2

    its prolly cause people have casual bookings and they can fit them in if u mark them off early

    i use casual bookings and its usual and cant always get a booking as they are full for after school care

    • Geoff01 on 27/09/2023 - 09:13

      Missed the point, the booking is still being paid for whether they turn up or not.this is an extra fee on top

      • djones145 on 27/09/2023 - 14:50

        yes but they want you to mark yourself off early. so they can offer that spot to someone on a casual basis.
        spots are limited due to teacher kids ratios

        if you mark your kid off early, they can offer it to some.else, making more money

  • Drakesy on 26/09/2023 - 21:24
    +1

    I mean it is a little selfish if you're using a spot that could otherwise go to someone else.

    • Benoffie on 26/09/2023 - 21:29
      +1

      Kids get sick, stuff happens. But you dont lose a permanent spot because of it. You generally have a 2 week allowance.

  • Benoffie on 26/09/2023 - 21:28
    +1

    If you want to check to see if this is in breach of the CCS charging requirements, you can speak to the DoE team and they will double check for you.

    https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/child-care-subs…

    It may be that they are trying to increase fees outside of the CCS regulations by calling it something else. DoE can help with this.

    • edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 22:35

      Yes I will check with DoE on this. Thanks.

      • Protractor on 28/09/2023 - 09:14
        -1

        and then when you get the 'actual' details you will let everyone here know what the result was…of course you will

  • Stopback on 26/09/2023 - 21:33
    +9

    If a child is unable to attend a booked session, they must be marked absent on the Parent Portal, or via direct communication with the service. If this is not completed prior to the session starting a $30 fee will be charged.

    If your kid won't make it. Then just update the portal. And save 30.

    • Muzeeb on 26/09/2023 - 21:37
      +5

      Please stop with this logic immediately

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 26/09/2023 - 21:45

        Nah I support the op’s right to have a rant though

    • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 22:24
      -2

      exactly. This is a wank post

      • Motek Benzona on 26/09/2023 - 22:42

        What you plebs are not noticing is that the center gets the money for the child whether they are there or not so any fee for them not being there is completely unacceptable in every possible way

        Seriously what is wrong with your heads?

        There could be absolutely no inconvenience or cost to this centre whatsoever to justify that charge as..wait for it..THEY STILL GET PAID

        Sheesh

        • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 08:55
          -1

          Pleb yourself. There is a service. They have terms and conditions. Customer A has to comply with an easy requirement so if customer B rings up (already on a long list) they can place their kid on that day. If you stuff the system around you pay for being lazy & inconsiderate& entitled & selfish. Or you change providers.

    • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 22:28
      +2

      If this is not completed prior to the session starting a $30 fee will be charged.

      Keep reading…. The OP issue isn't so much the $30 fee, it is this

      However, this new No Show Fee is over the top. This is $30 ON TOP of the usual fees charged.

      So basically double dipping. Mine never use to charge both, it was just the no show fee.

      • dcep on 27/09/2023 - 00:13
        -1

        Booking fee = Reservation fee to hold the available spot from others. (Meant to deter non-serious 'mass-joy-booking' who always book 1st then cancel last minute, where it could've been attended by another person if made available earlier)

        No show fee = Cancellation fee to recoup portion of what would've been charged for the full session that caters for staffing cost, etc.

  • mbck on 26/09/2023 - 21:37
    +3

    Be organised and you'll be fine. It's not like a 24 hr cancellation. It's before the session.

    • edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 22:27
      +4

      What happens is that before school care opens at 7am. The kids woke up at 6:30am and said they are sick, so we spend time looking after them, and reorganise work arrangements, and can easily forget to mark them as absent before 7am.

      That’s why I am ok with paying the fee for booking them, even if they are absent, but not $30 on top.

      • mbck on 26/09/2023 - 22:30
        -2

        Keyword: easily forget.

        I get it, it's hectic. But it's the same as a speeding fine. Drive within the speed limit.

        Set an alarm using Siri, google, heck even bixby. You don't even have to call the people. Just log on and mark as absent.

      • kiitos on 27/09/2023 - 07:54

        Do you also have to mark them as present by 7am too?

      • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 08:59

        "Easily forget to mark them as absent before 7am.

        That's on you. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Prioritise or pay up.

  • JIMB0 on 26/09/2023 - 21:57
    -4

    Why can't their mother care for them before and after school?

    • djsweet on 26/09/2023 - 22:13
      +3

      Because in western culture we don’t value mothers looking after their children or expect them to do so. Because we’re so advanced, wise and woke.

      • cookie2 on 27/09/2023 - 07:34

        I'd say it's often simpler than that. Income.

    • edisonAU on 26/09/2023 - 22:24
      +2

      Why limit to mother only? Should be the father these days as well?

      Well we live in Sydney, need dual incomes to payoff the huge mortgage lol

      • jv on 27/09/2023 - 00:27

        Should be the father these days as well?

        Why?

      • GG57 on 27/09/2023 - 09:32

        I completely understand that you need dual incomes, but have you considered staggering your work hours to enable one of the parents to either drop off or pick up the child?
        We had that arrangement with our employers a few decades ago.

    • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 22:24
      -1

      pink ceiling, busy being >pseudo angry white males

  • PissLUR on 26/09/2023 - 22:05
    +1

    There should be incentive for parents who use the portal and mark absent.

    • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 22:26

      WTF? Reward for doing the 'normal' right thing?

      • cookie2 on 27/09/2023 - 07:33

        It opens the limited spots to other families requiring the service instead of hogging it .

        • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:13

          I agree, so why not ping the ppl being lazy? It's about herding cats

      • PissLUR on 27/09/2023 - 12:11

        YES. because they can take more casual bookings when there are absentees.

    • JimmyF on 26/09/2023 - 22:29

      Keep reading…. The OP issue isn't so much the $30 fee, it is this

      However, this new No Show Fee is over the top. This is $30 ON TOP of the usual fees charged.

      So basically double dipping. Mine never use to charge both, it was just the no show fee if you cancelled after 6pm the day before the booking.

  • payless69 on 26/09/2023 - 22:42

    sounds fair!

  • tooblue on 27/09/2023 - 01:51
    +2

    Can you still send the kids to ASC even if you mark them absent before the session? You are definitely ENTITLED to it as you paid for the spot, and the ASC has already taken your money and allocated the resources. If so just fill in the absent form every day and see that they respond.

  • cookie2 on 27/09/2023 - 07:31

    It's possible that it's more about the look and parents access to a service there to support them. Eg 25 kids are booked and only 15 rock up, it looks like there's space for more because parents would probably know the max, but they're never able to get a spot. Parents that genuinely need the service on the day are unable to access it, not because there's no space but because some just have 'regular and ongoing ' bookings and don't care about the lost $ from no showing. In my mind this disadvantages lower income families as they can't afford to keep ongoing bookings that they may or may not need.
    Charging the extra fee sounds wrong at 1st but if you consider that it encourages you to actually inform them and release the spot for another parent/child, then it's a lot more reasonable.

    • Motek Benzona on 27/09/2023 - 07:42

      Do you mean the spot the first parent has already paid for?

      So you're justification is that this charge is okay because the company aren't allowed to free up a space for someone that's already been paid for, that would enable them to charge twice for the same space AND claim a fee from the first parent on top of 2 X daily fees?

      U joker

      Please also send me your wallet for MY $30 charge for reading guff

      • tooblue on 27/09/2023 - 08:55

        Amazing so many people commented here no clue how the system works. They either don't have a children going to the early learning centres or fail to read what the OP writes.

        • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 09:18

          Speak for yourself. OP admits not complying with a simple requirement>

          "easily forget to mark them as absent" I watch a moron mother fly past twice ,a dayin a 4WD wagon, rushing to school with teenage kids.She;s a fwit and dangerous driver. Why does she go so fast? Because she is running late every morning. Why?. Gets up late, is disorganised or the teenagers are. So who's responsible ? The person she wipes out when the inevitable happens?

          This thread is about 'why should special me have to follow a simple procedure that won't cost me $30 when I do?'
          Just like everyone else at that centre who hasn't started a thread.

          Pass the cotton wool

          • tooblue on 27/09/2023 - 10:42

            @Protractor: You seem pretty agitate from all your comments above.

            Customer A has to comply with an easy requirement so if customer B rings up (already on a long list) they can place their kid on that day.
            https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14342989/redir

            This shows that you are exactly the person I described above.

            Nobody, but NOBODY pays that $30 if they (wait for it) DO THE RIGHT THING
            https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14343000/redir

            Suppose the only store in the town is charging $30 to the customers Entering the store with left foot first. You will also be happily comply as this is the "RIGHT THING" and it is an "easy requirement". Customers don't agree with the fee are free to shop in another town.

            • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 10:44

              @tooblue: "Suppose the only store in the town is charging $30 to the customers Entering the store with left foot first. You will also be happily comply as this is the "RIGHT THING" and it is an "easy requirement". Customers don't agree with the fee are free to shop in another town."

              Suppose using bizarre yet banal hypothetical scenarios was allowed in real life as some sort of proof ?

              OP says they ran out of time. Forgot. Lost track.It's their fault by default

              Try to absorb this>
              https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14343122/redir

  • afah0447 on 27/09/2023 - 08:09
    +2

    A fee on top of being charged for the no show seems a bit of a greedy cash grab. Mind you that sort of behaviour doesn't surprise me anymore.

    We have reached peak capitalism where the only goal now is to extract as much money as possible out of other people… regardless of the consequences.

  • altomic on 27/09/2023 - 08:15

    sounds like the ASC is actually a secret sweatshop and the kids make designer leather bags (their little fingers are great for finer stitching).

    the $30 covers the lost production value of the child

  • Geoff01 on 27/09/2023 - 09:23
    +1

    As unfair as the fee sounds, you have ample time to cancel via the portal. No excuses.this post is more the principle of the fee granted is wrong and I would like to know why they charge it. Solution is so simple. It's on the parents to advise in a simple time frame

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 14:02
      -3

      I applaud you. You're too across the reality for this convo.
      I just don't get how (a) OP doesn't get it and (b) OPs enablers defend them 'just not getting it'.
      Ppl are too lazy and entitled these days so I guess sloth is to be expected. No wonder ppl wanna WFH. Too lazy arsed to step up on time

  • zombrex on 27/09/2023 - 12:11

    Doubt it is even legally enforceable fee.

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 15:03
      -3

      I doubt many ( if any) intelligent organised parents are even concerned,let alone getting caught out.
      I would also not be surprised if this 'pseudo parental driven absentee' system was driven by the tragedies of kids being left in buses on hot days etc. Care centres are ruling out ways they lose track of who is and is not attending, and putting responsibility back to parents to confirm physical attendance per day.

  • ceeto on 27/09/2023 - 17:11
    +3

    Not sure what the rest of the states/territories do (though I suspect they are probably not dissimilar) but in NSW, a no show creates challenges for the service and multiple no shows can actually cause bigger problems and potentially costs. The services I'm aware of expect all except Kindie kids to arrive at the centre under their own steam after class ends (though in the morning the parents sign them in, and kiddie kids are collected by educator from the classroom) . The educators have a legal responsibility and must account for every expected/booked in student.

    Educators must maintain a strict ratio (in NSW I think it is 1 educator to 15 kids) which means if your no show was the 31st child, the centre is now overstaffed for at least 2 hours with the associated staff costs, not to mention any catering and such. In addition, each no show must be tracked down - check with the school if they were at school or absent/went home sick; find a nominated parent/guardian or other authorised person to verify that indeed the child is safe and not expected to be at the service even though they were booked in. Multiple no shows can take quite a lot of tracking down sometimes, and can actually jeopardise the ratios of children to educators which is a potential regulatory violation (if an educator that is included in ratio is running around the school looking for a child, then the 1:15 ration may be broken).

    Finally, if the no show child can't be found within 30 minutes, then there is a requirement to inform the police in NSW that a child "may" be missing, and so it all goes on. I suspect the $30 is an attempt to get parents to act responsibly and notify absences properly. Most services I know will usually wipe the penalty and sometimes even the usual fee if the reason for not cancelling was a genuine emergency. Honestly, how hard can it be to notify that your child will not be there for the day and save the mad chase to verify that your child is not actually missing - it becomes a child safety question pretty quickly if no-one knows where the child is and the booking hasn't been cancelled.

    • Protractor on 27/09/2023 - 17:34
      +2

      None of your post matters to OP & supporters thereof. They want special treatment, and the safety of all cared for kids, is trumped by their ability to have a double standard to suit their entitlement. This lack of being a team player is like a cancer on our society.
      Covid brought it out and it has flourished since.

      " Why should special moi have to take sensible steps to protect those at most risk' syndrome. "

  • Protractor on 28/09/2023 - 10:18
    -1

    OP
    Based on update 1 the centres response was more than reasonable, the justification also stacks up.
    Which part of "being organised and responsible enough to report an absentee" is unreasonable?

    If you still think this is a 'big deal' shop around, but make sure you read the small print.

  • kiitos on 28/09/2023 - 23:55

    So basically if your kid is sick, they will get your daily ~$30 fee (assuming you use both morning and afternoon sessions) AND they onsell your vacant slot to a casual for another $30, and so if you don't give them enough warning that they will have a vacant slot to onsell they basically charge you again for your slot? Wow.

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