Joshua's kinder last yr in Vic was $125 per term so $500 per year, at a council run kinder. There was a 50% rebate for healthcare/pension cardholders, so it cost me just $250 for the whole year. Private kinders are probably more and I'm not sure if you get the discount for healthcare card.

As for school, my kids go to public primary school, which cost $100 per child per year, $50 in materials(for books etc) and a $50 "voluntary" contribution fee, which you supposedly are paying voluntarily, but of course if you don't pay it then they "can't provide as many good programs". I get EMA (Education maintenance allowance) as we have the healthcare card, whcih is $200 per child per year and the school gets a big cheque and a little cheque and so do you. THe cheque the school gets can be allocated by you towards excursions etc. I used $50 of ea of the kids for the voluntary fee, and last year Jordan's went toward, Life ed van, an excursion and her camp. The cheque you get you can use for whatever as you cash it in your bank account. It is a great thing to have as things certainly add up quickly. Jordan leaves for grade 5 camp on Mon and that cost $330 + $40 spending money, and that's just at the start of the year.

Private schools are much dearer of course, but we can't afford to send our little dears to any of them around here, 4 kids and a one wage family can't stretch to private education unfortunately. But I was educated in the public system and I did ok for myself, got into uni and did what I wanted so I am not concerned that my kids will go to public schools.

Cheers Michelle