GOVT's new parametres aroung CCR........means tested?

[*Twinkle*]

Not sure if anyone was watching Sunrise this morning, and I don't know how accurate this info is...but there was talk about the CCR being aimed at non-working mums and it also being means tested???

[black_rose]

The ccr is for working parents though, non working mums usually qualify for the full amount of ccb as they are on one income. Wish they would stop changing it all around!

[*Twinkle*]

Just heard it fully on the news. One option they are considering is limiting it for non-working mums...but I thought they didn't get it, so does this mean they would get it? and it is going to be means tested..FML. Trust them to change it. Our fees are HORRENDOUS....so not fair!

[Muffy]

Just gives mums more of a reason not to go back to work!

[Little Chicken]

I saw it. It was limiting the amount of childcare stay at home mums can access, and means testing the CCR. A figure of combined income of $150,000 to $200,000 would not receive any CCR.

[black_rose]

Thanks Little Chicken that makes sense but why shouldn't sahm have a break? The govt really don't think about the effect their decisions will have they just want to save money wherever they can because they will need it for the ETS.

[Astrid]

A SAHP who is looking for work needs access to affordable care. Without Childcare you can't really apply for work. It helps to have 1 or 2 days that you can build on, especially in areas that have long waiting lists. Also to look for work you need child free time to go for interviews and even to make phone calls. I have finally found work that I doubt I would have gotten if I did not already have some care to access.

Also what about the child, they need settling in time. Imagine being thrown in to full-time care without some kind of build up.

[briggsy's girl]

The budget is being released in a couple of weeks - there is always massive speculation about what the government will and won't do with payments before then. i would take anything in the media at the moment as speculation until the budget is released

CCR is currently available to those working, studying, training, looking for work, on paid (or unpaid) parental leave from work (for first 12 months), and those who have, or care for, someone with a disability. a lot of these are stay at home parents as well. the number of hours you're eligible for that varies depending on your situation and the number of hours you put into your activity

[nothing2lose]

Sorry, confused a little.

Is CCR the 50% you get back quarterly?

I get this but I dont get the other hourly fee reduction.

I really hope they dont cap it It's the only government benefit we get...

[Amaunet]

I find this so frustrating. The only CL payment we get is CCR. No ccb, ftb...nothing. I HAD to go back to work to keep my job, I pay a ****load of tax as does my DH and we are going to be penalized again. We in no way live a fancy "rich" life I have no probs with SAHP who are looking for work using subsidized childcare but I do have issue with subsidized childcare for those who just want "a break" (My son is in care 3 days per week and i work 3 days per week) They should definitely have access to cc, but not govt subsidies. Preschool/school readiness programs are different, but my at my fdc I am the only working parent and the only one paying full fees. There are lots of playgroups for children of SAHP to get socialization etc.

To be honest I think there are a lot of other areas that should be targeted before childcare!!! I definitely plan on writing a few letters to politicians this week!!!

[nothing2lose]

Although my DD is in OSH Care, not daycare, I understand where you are coming from Amaunet.

I dont mind so much that they are subsidised but I think fulltime childcare unless you are working, studying, etc is a bit much.

[briggsy's girl]

One thing that irks me though is that when there are a shortage of places, people who are working, studying, etc sometimes can't get care because the places are filled by those who are using daycare as fulltime babysitting (ie. for a break).

this comes down to your own day care service and their prioritising system. Mum used to do FDC, and priority was always given to those who NEEDED care for work or study (or those needing respite because themselves or their child had a disability) - respite for SAHP's was lowest on the list of priorities

i, personally, dont have a problem with full time care for some stay at home parents - i have personally seen the difference it can make - for a mum that lost her first two children to DHS because she couldn't cope AT ALL, to that same woman having her next two children still with her for their whole lives due to having them in care when they were very full on - she could cope with overnight and periods of time in the morning and evening, but not all day. i also don't think that stay at home parents should be expected to do it all on their own all the time. they need some time out sometimes. balance is the key

wait for the budget though - it is likely it's all speculation at the moment!

[Astrid]

Technically you can have a place taken away from you for a working parent. I know I was warned that when I first signed up down here (no family, pregnant and a DD used to going to CC). I was also warned I could be forced to change days. When the year clicked over I lost a day, which I was ok with as I understood. Now I am in a place of needing more care to meet work needs and may have to change centres in order to get all my days (same management though). Oddly though this time, no-one is being made to drop a day. Thinking now that maybe I should talk to management about their ad hoc application of their own rules.

[nothing2lose]

That's a really valid point BG.

I too have known children for whom fulltime childcare was the best thing that could have happened to them as the quality of care was infinitely better than they received at home.

I also know of a case where a mother with three kids working part time and supposedly studying, had her children both in daycare (creche) during the day and overnight family daycare. The o/n care also extended to the weekends.

Essentially the only time she saw her kids was driving between the two...

[*Twinkle*]

I find this so frustrating. The only CL payment we get is CCR. No ccb, ftb...nothing. I HAD to go back to work to keep my job, I pay a ****load of tax as does my DH and we are going to be penalized again. We in no way live a fancy "rich" life I have no probs with SAHP who are looking for work using subsidized childcare but I do have issue with subsidized childcare for those who just want "a break" (My son is in care 3 days per week and i work 3 days per week) They should definitely have access to cc, but not govt subsidies. Preschool/school readiness programs are different, but my at my fdc I am the only working parent and the only one paying full fees. There are lots of playgroups for children of SAHP to get socialization etc.

To be honest I think there are a lot of other areas that should be targeted before childcare!!! I definitely plan on writing a few letters to politicians this week!!!

We are in exactly the same boat hun. We by no means live an extravagant life even with the income we are on. Child care fees for us are HUGE.....infact more than half my DP's wage.

And don't get me started on how much tax we both pay!!! argh its never ending for us higher earners! Plus I am studying and paying off HELP debt. How long till they cut that for us too!?

[briggsy's girl]

I also know of a case where a mother with three kids working part time and supposedly studying, had her children both in daycare (creche) during the day and overnight family daycare. The o/n care also extended to the weekends.

There were kids that would stay for up to five or six days full time with Mum due to circumstances with their families (24/7) to stop them having the stress of swapping locations during the day. there were a couple with cerebral palsy that would often stay two or three nights in a row. it was safer for them to be at our place (yes, i was personally witness to the way their dad treated them - and i suspect the CP came around due to the abuse dished out on their mother while she was pg - definitely safer at our place)

[FabFiona]

I do love Budget speculation! Drives me a bit batty really.

All of this talk is just that - speculation. Whilst I'm sure the media are acting on whispers they are hearing, some people find it very upsetting and confusing because they think it's really happening rather than just whispers. Sunrise also couldn't get the name of the benefit right, calling it by its old name. Doesn't give me much confidence in the media really.

That being said, I'll be a very cranky staffer if the CCR is modified. After all, I'm the one who takes the cranky phone calls and responds to the cranky emails.

The Budget is released on May 13 so we will know more then.

[AnyDream]

I think the system does a good job of trying to be fairly consistent when it comes to fairness. At risk children should definitely have access to as much care as the system can provide them - and if that care is provided well, it may not be apparent to other families who use the services which children are there because they're at risk.

Having said that, there are all sorts of situations which the current childcare and funding guidelines don't help. When I was having chemo, for example, I could not get a FDC place for love nor money on the day after treatment. No way I could have looked after my boisterous 18 month old, and yet there was no way a place could be 'created' for us by the service (not a priority category). Likewise, Defence families - who may face periods of upto 10 months functioning as single parent families under very stressful circumstances and usually geographically distant from their existing family/support networks - are often forced to get by with insufficient care because every time you move state it's waiting list time again. No help with paying for it, either.