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Fees & Opening Hours |
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HOURS OF OPERATION This centre is open between the hours of 7.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. The centre is closed on all public holidays and between Christmas and New Year. As you appreciate these are long hours for adults working with young children therefore it is important that children arrive and depart within the hours of 7.00am and 6.00pm. It is the policy of the centre and a regulation from the Department of Families, Youth and Community Care that two staff members remain at the centre with your child until you arrive. This would incur a $2 per minute late fees. This covers overtime cost for two staff members it will be charged to your account. Children may feel concerned if they are not picked up before the centre closes. If you are going to be unavoidably detained, please telephone staff and inform them so they can make arrangements for their own commitments and allay your child's concerns. DAILY FEES: 6 weeks - 2 1/2 years - $77.00 - full day* 2 1/2 yrs - School age - $74.00 - full
day* Late fee of $2.00 per minute applies
after closing time (6pm) *These fees are correct as of June 2011. Fees are subject to change—please contact St. Paul’s for the current fee structure. FEE INFORMATION: Once you have made an inquiry regarding enrolling your child at the centre you are asked to visit the centre and place your child's name on the waiting list. We have a $40.00 enrolment fee per family. On commencement at the centre you will be required to pay two weeks fees in advance. This money is then held to pay your last two weeks fees on leaving the centre. Two weeks notice in writing before the termination of your child's placement is required otherwise two weeks fees are payable in lieu. Fees are required in advance or the first day of commencement of that week's attendance. eg. If your child attends on Monday and Wednesday- fees for both days are payable on Monday of the week that he/she attends. Fees include all meals provided by the Centre. These fees are reviewed as required by the Management Committee. This Centre does not accept cash or cheques for payment of fees. Please see Admin staff or Director for payment methods. The Centre’s
preferred payment method is Ezi Debit. Please complete the Ezi Debit form and
return to the office. If Ezi Debit is not available at your financial
institution, fees are able to be paid via EFTPOS during office hours or
please see staff on duty to make your EFTPOS payment or Direct Deposit –
please seen Admin staff for forms. If it becomes necessary for you to
decrease the number of days that your child is attending the centre, you are
required to give two weeks written notice of the change. Please note that if fees are in arrears for more than two weeks your child's place is in jeopardy. It is important that you notify the Director if you have any difficulties with fee paying so that if possible we can be of assistance. We do use a debt collection agency when required at this centre. You are entitled to half fees for four weeks of the year (Financial Year). However two weeks notice must be given in advance of holidays for this to apply. To allow your child to gain the most from our program, regular attendance is necessary. If your child is sick or unable to attend please notify the centre prior to 9.00am. This will assist staff with their programming. As with all Kindergartens and Pre-schools, public holidays and absent days must be paid for and there are no make-up days. Please sign the appropriate sign on book on return after your absence. Our centre is closed between Christmas and New Year, no fees will be charged during this time. Late fees will be charged to cover two staff members overtime if you pick your child up after 6.00pm. Fees are reviewed annually by the Committee of Management and are subject to increase as necessary. Where we have the vacancies we also take children on a casual day. If you need an occasional extra day, for social or work commitments, staff will be happy to let you know if there is a vacancy for that day. PRIORITY ACCESS This centre operates under the Federal Government Childcare Benefits Scheme, and complies with their guidelines for priority access. You may be required to change days or drop days according to the access list if the need arises. 1. Workforce participation or training 2. Children with disabilities 3. Children at risk 4. Parents at home CHILDCARE BENEFITS Government Childcare Benefits operates at this centre. Childcare Benefits is a payment made by the Commonwealth Government to help all families meet the cost of childcare. All families who attend childcare regardless of their income should register with the Family Assistance Office. The Family Assistance Office number is (13 6150). The Family Assistance Office Call Centre operates from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday. (CRN -555 002 779k) Parents will be asked to estimate their current annual income (for the year in which care is provided) and will have their entitlement reconciled at the end of the financial year using their actual income. Childcare Benefits will be paid to our service on your behalf and your responsibility is to pay the gap fee. You can choose to receive Childcare Benefits as reduced fees throughout the year or as a lump-sum payment at the end of the financial year. You would then have to pay full fees to our centre each week. Childcare Benefits is available to all eligible families using our centre. High-income families are eligible for the minimum rate rebate of 16.76%. Families who do not meet the work test (working, studying, and looking for work) will be limited to 20 hours of Childcare Benefits per week. Full time and casual workers can receive up to 50 hours of Childcare Benefits in a week if you meet the work test for any time during that week including looking for work. The Family Assistance Officer does the test not our centre. Families are able to apply for 55 hours of care per week. If your circumstances change (work-situation, income, family make-up, etc) any changes that relate to Child Care Benefits it is important to let the Family Assistance Office know ASAP 13 6150. The standard hourly rate that is paid by Childcare Benefits is $2.81 per hour. Fees are worked out by 2.81 x eligible hours x part time% x Childcare Benefit % =Childcare Benefits paid. Minus–Child Care entitlement from Centre Fee= Gap fee. Your fees each week. RECORDING ALLOWABLE AND APPROVED ABSENCES! Under the Childcare Benefits program each child will be eligible for 30 new allowable absences from the 1 July each year. Parents need to give the reason for the absence on the attendance sheet and sign for all absences. This scheme allows you to have 30 absent days in a financial year, July-June. After you have taken your 30 days full fees will be charged without childcare Benefits. However each time your child, a parent or a sibling is sick and your child is not able to attend due to this illness, if you obtain a Doctor’s certificate it will not go against your 30 days absent. With holidays, sick days etc it does not take long to reach 30 days and I cannot stress the importance enough of obtaining a Doctor’s certificate for sick days. You are expected to ensure you have signed for all absent days and give a reason for the absence when your child has not attended on their booked day. It is much easier for staff if you do this each time you are away as we will not have to remind you. We keep a record of all absent days, and for your benefit it is recorded on the sign on sheets. Please keep a close watch on these absent days especially if you are close to 30. Childcare Benefits is also available for rotating shifts and rostered days off, providing our centre has a letter from a parent or their employer verifying their rotating shifts or that their employment provides for rostered days off. ENROLMENT, INTERVIEW AND ORIENTATION Once you have made an inquiry regarding enrolling your child at the centre you are asked to visit the centre and place your child's name on the waiting list. You are also encouraged to visit the centre to read our philosophy, meet the staff and allow your child to participate in the program. This gives you the opportunity to decide whether our program and our philosophy meets your particular needs. When a position becomes available you will be notified and you will be required to come to the centre for an interview with the Director. This is an important time to discuss any queries or concerns. We have an orientation procedure, which requires you to stay with your child for a morning before they begin at the centre, there is no charge for this service. This gives everyone a chance to become familiar with one another, the environment and our daily routine. Again, please feel free to address any queries or concerns with the Director or staff member. |
