Child care rebate, feeling concerned...

[misty]

In theory people are generally better off provided fees don't rise too much. but the problem with a REBATE is that you get it back at tax time. for alot of people it is nice to have lumpsum at tax, but not very helpful in meeting the day to day costs of living.

[2girlz]

I'm never better off and my centre has raised the fee's $2 for my 3 year old and $4 for nursery (which will hurt when I go back to work after bubs is born)

If you're not working you're still entitiled to 24 hours of reduced rate yet mums that work full time have 50 hours reduced even though child care centres charge you 12 hours a day for full time care to me that doesn't seem fair you should receive reduced rate for the full 12 hours a day

[meow]

I have an excellent article somewhere about how the rebate system should be scrapped. I can't remember it all but the basic premise was if you have 10 apples and 50 people that want them they will become expensive. So if the government says apples are too expensive we'll provide a rebate so everyone can afford them you still only ahve 10 apples and the price just goes up. If the government spent the money on providing more apples however then the price would go down.

[mrsmac]

In theory people are generally better off provided fees don't rise too much. but the problem with a REBATE is that you get it back at tax time. for alot of people it is nice to have lumpsum at tax, but not very helpful in meeting the day to day costs of living.

Exactly Misty, I need it on a weekly basis not in a lump sum.

[Beatrix]

At least with this rebate its every 3 mths and as long as you are registered with centrlink you will get a lump sum 4 times a year..

Still not much help though

[briggsy's girl]

In theory people are generally better off provided fees don't rise too much. but the problem with a REBATE is that you get it back at tax time. for alot of people it is nice to have lumpsum at tax, but not very helpful in meeting the day to day costs of living.

it comes out quarterly, not annually

it's not ideal, but the logistics of arranging this weekly would be horrific from a processing standpoint. Child Care Providers only put in usage statements once a month to once a quarter - they only claim THEIR share of the child care benefit at that time. if it were changed to weekly for the half of usage fees, it would add extra processing for child care centres, FAO staff - and ultimately, it will hit the hip pocket of the consumer

i agree, there may need to be more places - but it's consumer driven and is, essentially, a private company - so if a business owner would prefer to increase fees rather than build another centre, the government can't do much about it. yes, centrelink/FAO help fund through CCB and rebate, and they will only do that for companies that have met a set of guidelines - but ultimately, child care is a private business, not a government run organisation, so they can't dictate what places go where.

Beatrix, the rebate is in place to help those that really have no choice. it's a way of encouraging those mothers that can return to the workforce to do exactly that. they may have no choice BUT to use child care, where a SAHP does. i can understand wanting to have some respite, and for some, to allow their child to socialise with someone other than mum and dad, but it's more of a want than a need (psychologically, it may feel like a need from the parents perspective, but i hope you can see where i'm coming from)

[Beatrix]

Its cool Bg i totally understand that..

It will actaully prob free up mor spaces for parents who need the care cause the SAHM will pull there kids out

The only reason Im bummed is cause i Have a good for nothign ex who isnt very consistant with taking th kids so it is my time off IYKWIM

[SJmumof2]

Beatrix, the rebate is in place to help those that really have no choice. it's a way of encouraging those mothers that can return to the workforce to do exactly that. they may have no choice BUT to use child care, where a SAHP does. i can understand wanting to have some respite, and for some, to allow their child to socialise with someone other than mum and dad, but it's more of a want than a need (psychologically, it may feel like a need from the parents perspective, but i hope you can see where i'm coming from)

I think SAHM should be entitled to it. If you are a single parent looking after 3 kids under the age of 4 (like beatrix) that is a full time job in itself. Mums that work get time away from constantly having to deal with their kids ( even though they are working).
Single mums on the pension desperately need money and im guessing would love to work, but could you imagine paying for 3 kids to attend daycare full time, on a single wage?

[briggsy's girl]

I think SAHM should be entitled to it. If you are a single parent looking after 3 kids under the age of 4 (like beatrix) that is a full time job in itself. Mums that work get time away from constantly having to deal with their kids ( even though they are working).
Single mums on the pension desperately need money and im guessing would love to work, but could you imagine paying for 3 kids to attend daycare full time, on a single wage?

not arguing that psychologically a single parent will benefit - or any SAHP for that matter - by having a break from their children - was just stating how it has been implemented. it wasn't an opinion, just a fact! i have no doubt sometimes we all just need "me" time - even if it's just to do the household chores without constant interruption.... there are other exceptions to qualify for the rebate (ie child with disability etc)

[Beatrix]

You can also qualify if you volunteer 15hrs a week.

Im lucky cause i am active at my local kindy and am a consultant online so I have spoken to centrelink and they said as long as i keep a record of my activities and its a average of 15hrs a week i am eligable

[briggsy's girl]

yeah, volunteering falls under the work/study/training test. as long as you have a record of it and can back up your claims if it's disputed, you're fine...

[*Efjay*]

My sister has taken her son out of the ABC center he was attending when her fee's jumped from $43 to $77 a day. She is a single mum & can't afford that.
She was interviewed for the paper as well about it, she kicked up a massive stink about it & called lots of people .