I think you are right Astrid permanent would be better if can wangle it - it sucked today leaving DS sick at home with DH when he wanted me (he has never napped for DH) and the decision had to be made on purely financial basis - if we were both permanent at least could take all factors into consideration (although as they get older the need for it to be me will decline I would think - DS is still BF and would have liked to be able to feed him while sick). I think once is next financial year will be easier as we get no CCB at moment even though within rates because we had CCB while I was looking for work and for DD while on mat leave so now I am effectively paying that back (a fact I hadnt quite grasped when calculating child care fees) - is a shame they don't treat it differently if you are returning to work after a child like they do with FTB B.