Child Care

[achander]

Hi Ladies,
Thot I'd start a specific topic thread :)

There's a childcare centre just round the corner from my place. It's the ABC (Australians Bettering Children) chain -- a friend just told me that Temasek has a share in it...

Anyway, childcare fees are really expensive here. Mebbe it's cheaper with nannies and other home-based childcare facility. For my three-year-old, it's about $230 per week, and for my 16-month-old, it's $265 per week. At this rate, it's really exorbitant ... but I do like the setup. Very stimulating -- indoor and outdoor facilities. Very new here and pleasant surroundings.

Anyway, I called up Family Assist Office and based on our household income, the subsidy is quite substantial -- about 80%! This really helps... so we may consider putting the boys in for 2 days.

It would be good to ease them into the system here too... and perhaps better for them to start interacting and socialising with more Australian children...

[mngo]

Hi achander
for one week, does it mean it is 5 working days?
how long is it per day
for two days per week, how much is it?

if it is 80% subsidy, do we literally get cash or we pay less to the childcare?

if 80% subsidy, based on 230 per week, it is only 46 per week! then for 4 weeks, it is 184. isnt it cheap?

[achander]

Hi Mngo,
Yeah, it is quite affordable after the subsidy. The childcare centre at our place doesn't open on weekends. I suppose they really are MORE supportive of family life and togetherness than in Singapore.

So five days is Mon to Fri. And it works out to about $110 for my older boy and $145 for my younger one per week.

They have a daily rate too... which is slightly more expensive than if you were to put your child in for the week.

Also, school opens from 6.30am to 6pm, so it really works out for working parents... :)

[sunnygirl78]

wah

yah lor...if only184 is super cheap lor..even cheaper than here wor...how many hours ah? what is the minimum age they accept? coz my DD would be about 1 years old by time i move so would be good if they accept so young

[sunnygirl78]

sounds really good lor. i guess that puts my mind at ease. i plan to work when move lor..go there got no maid..definately need childcare lor.

[mngo]

Hey A
that's really cheap - isnt it.
let us know how it goes.. guess most of us will put our kiddo in the childcare a day or two