YOUR FAMILY FORTUNE
HOW TO GET GOOD CHILDCARE AT THE RIGHT PRICE
CHILDCARE centre fees across Australia have risen on average to $124 a day before subsidies – or more than $32,300 a year – if a child attends five days a week.
But experts say there are a range of ways parents can save money if they choose a centre that best suits their family’s needs.
KindiCare, a childcare comparison website and app, has released its latest data on fees, which reveals the ACT is the most expensive place to live when it comes to childcare fees, averaging $134.76 a day before subsidies.
It is closely followed by Victoria ($131.43), WA ($125.25), NSW ($125.10), SA ($123.09), and Queensland ($116.38). The Northern Territory ($110.17) and Tasmania ($104.83) are markedly cheaper.
The latest data also shows average fees for your suburb and whether childcare in a neighbouring suburb or one on the way to the workplace is more ecomonical.
KindiCare founder Benjamin Balk said he also used the data to compare private and not-for-profit community managed services and found that for-profits were only 4 per cent more expensive on average, or $4.82 a day.
“From a parent point of view, whether a not-for-profit provider or for-profit provider is better suited to the family will come down to what they value,” Mr Balk said.
“For-profit providers tend to invest more capital into the quality of facilities and environment as an example as they are competitive businesses operating in a commercial environment and need to attract and maximise enrolments.
“Not-for-profits may have an ethos or philosophy that is important to a family.”
Mr Balk said the main tip for parents is that with very little difference in fees between the two main types of providers, it’s important to look at the quality of curriculum and teachers, what’s included in the fees such as nappies, food and formula, what extra-curricular and health services might be provided such as speech pathology or music, and what the facilities and learning environment are like.
He said parents can save costs on childcare fees by choosing a centre which most suits the needs of the family.
He said part-time workers needing fewer hours, may be able to take advantage of shorter session times. Parents working different hours, should look at whether one can drop off and the other, who may have started earlier, pick up.
Some centres are flexible and offer eight, 10 or 12-hour sessions, while others have a fixed session time where parents are still billed for 12 hours, even if they use just a fraction of that.
Some centres do not charge for public holidays, Some will allow parents to swap days if there’s availability. The Parenthood executive director Georgie Dent warned that paying more doesn’t guarantee better quality.
“It’s not always the case that the most expensive centre is the best,” Ms Dent said. “Look at the different ratings of the centres and go and visit.
“It’s important that families feel they have a safe and nurturing environment for their children.”
Ms Dent said a third of families use a variety of different childcare options and many do so to save costs.
“Some use a mix of childcare centres and grandparents, or pre or after school sessions,” she said.
“Fostering a relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is very important to some families, but it also reduces the financial burden of early education and care.”
Ms Dent said The Parent
It’s not always the case that the most expensive centre is the best GEORGIE DENT
Before you begin, you need to find out how many hours of Child Care Subsidy your family is entitled to KATE WALBURN
hood, an advocacy group, is calling for free, universal childcare for all children.
Child care centre manager at Goodstart in Brisbane, Kate Walburn, said parents should check with the centres.
“Talk to the staff at the childcare centre as they can help maximise those hours for parents,” Ms Walburn said.
“Also negotiate with centre directors. If we can save you money on your bills we will absolutely do it.”
Go online to search your postcode for the average long day care fee before subsidies.