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thread: Can someone please explain my childcare fees?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Can someone please explain my childcare fees?

    Ok, so I feel like a bit of a dunce... but I don't get it.

    A couple of weeks ago my CCB was 43% and 2 days was costing me $102.42 (so roughly $51/day)

    Now my CCB is 71% and three days is costing me $145.08, so roughly $48/day.

    But if my CCB is higher shouldn't it be somewhat less per day? I thought there would be more of a difference?

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Add Kazbah on Facebook Follow Kazbah On Twitter

    Sep 2006
    Dandy Ranges ;)
    7,526

    That's a bit weird. I think you'll have to call the centre itself to explain ....

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    springwood qld
    186

    I had the same thing happen and they couldnt explain to me why this happened But as you % is increased much higher then I owuld call them and get them to check it out. I explained to them about the price difference and they said its what the system calculates for them.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    Don't feel like a dunce... I could never wrap my head around it either!!!! I don't know why it's calculating that way but I recommend calling CentreLink and hoping that you get a good operator! Once I had a fantastic CL staff member explain the whole thing to me... she was a young girl but she simply had a great way with words and she didn't speak too fast! LOL goodluck!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Thanks guys... I'm glad it's not just me

    I'll talk to them tomorrow, I just thought I might get a heads up in case it was something simple I was missing.

    I just can't figure it out... I know the % isn't always applied to the entire fee, it's applied to the scheduled fee... but no way can I work out from the figures on my statement, what is going on.
    It might be a long chat tomorrow

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    springwood qld
    186

    How it works is based on a formula its from memory the number of days x the hourly rate x the number of hours cntr is open x your ccb% that figure is taken away from the full fees charged. Hope this helps

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Hmm, well on the bottom of the statement it has (this is a couple of weeks ago)

    Percentage 43x110
    Session hours 24
    Fee $144.20
    CCB $41.78
    Gap 102.42

    and this week has

    Percentage 71 x 104
    Session hours 36
    Fee $210.30
    CCB $65.22
    Gap $145.08

    and none of those figures add up for me?
    I'm sure it's something simple I'm missing I'll ask them tomorrow.
    I just like to understand things :s

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    springwood qld
    186

    sounds like the first bill is for 2 day 24 hours and the next bill is for 3 days 36 hours do your days vary

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Yep, 2 days on the first & 3 on the second. But seeing as the CCB is much higher on the second statement I was expecting it to be a bit lower, even with the extra day.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jul 2010
    springwood qld
    186

    Its looks about right because the ccb calculation would be different with the extra day, but ring and check anyways

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    From the figures you list, I am pretty sure the issue is that you are only elligable for 24 hours of care per week, therefore that CCB amount is for two days only and you will be paying full price for day 3. Centrelink will be able to tell you how many hours of care you are currently qualified to receive. If you are working or studying, etc you can qualify for 50 hours per week.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Nope, working, so 50 hours.

    Thanks for your help everyone

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    Curious how you went today?

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    I ran late this morning, so no time to talk, and by the time I finished this afternoon there were only 2 carers left. I will try to be early Monday so I can talk to her then

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Well, it is wrong. My fees should be $112 a week.
    I am being charged full fees for the third day, even though I am entitled to 50 hours. At first they thought it was a glitch in their system but now it seems it is coming up that according to Centrelink I am claiming hours through another provider.
    She was in FDC as well, but not since October.. so I am guessing that's where the problem is. I have to ring Centrelink today & sort it out.
    So ausgirl, you were pretty much right

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    Glad you got it sorted.

  17. #17
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    in the garden
    3,767

    Just coming back for a vent

    Twice, three times I have spoken to the cetre now, I keep getting statements with huge fees on them. The second time they said I would have to call Centrelink as it appeared that I was only getting CCB for two days & claiming usage somewhere else... weird because she wasn't attending anywhere else by then.

    I called Centrelink and they said no, my CCB hadn't changed, and they went through all the records they had of the care I had claimed, was all correct until early December when there were no claims after then...
    SO I called the centre director back, told her what they had said, she said she'd look into it.

    Called her back a couple of days later & she said, on your account this week, you owe $60. Yep I said, that sounds right...they should be (according to her) $112 a week, I have been paying $102. So I would be about $10 behind each week... no worries, I paid an extra $70 that week. And said to her, so what are my fees showing as now? and she said $145 a week.... 'noooo, that's not right!!! you told me it should be $112.' 'Ohhh...' she said, 'yes I did, it should be, well I'll have to email head office again then...'

    So, I'm STILL waiting to hear what the original problem was, and waiting for it to be fixed, and now tonight I come home & Dh shows me the letter he picked up out of Pie's pocket... we 'owe' $500, please pay immediately, yadda yadda... please see me if you have any concerns.....'
    Well, lady, I FREAKING WELL DID!!!! and I am NOT paying this until someone can show me why we owe it

    ARGHHHHHH I needed to get that out :/

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    5,235

    So is centrelink saying they haven't submitted any usage for you since December? Did you take holidays - was your DD away for any length of time, because the (stupid) system does 'exit' any child not attending for a period of time and it is easy enough to miss though not usually for 2 months! You have to re enrol the child if they have been exited - that's the only explanation I would have as to why they have no records for you since December. It should be very easy to see on the system a) the total fee b) the ccb paid c)the parent fee - I don't really understand why they need to call head office again (or at all) because head office would not be savvy to any other info than they had in front of them on the computer.
    Have they provided you with a statement, by law you must receive one every 3 months and should also provide one if you ask for one. This will have the exact break down of everything on it for you- full charge, CCB%, CCB amount and gap fee, for every week. I know that my parents find these confusing to read, so if you have one and need help interpretting it just pm me! The only time your fees should change is if you change your estimate with Centrelink or if the centre raises their fees.

    I would be asking them if they are sure they have your DD actively enrolled - as a huge bill would say to me that they don't and your fees are showing at full price with no CCB discount - likely from the start of the year as centrelink has no records.

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