[bluecardigans]

I don't understand the argument that it would be more expensive for the government?

I thought his idea was to allow the current rates of CCB/CCTR to apply to nannies? So, doesn't that mean that the cost to the government would be the same for each child regardless of the setting?

At present the rebate is a percentage of the fees, so 50 percent rebate for a nanny would cost more than child care centred or FDC. If the rebate was not a percentage but a rate, I agree, it would not cost anymore to fund a nanny.

[wrong]

At present the rebate is a percentage of the fees, so 50 percent rebate for a nanny would cost more than child care centred or FDC. If the rebate was not a percentage but a rate, I agree, it would not cost anymore to fund a nanny.

You forgot about the $7,500/child/yr cap.

This post has been edited by wrong: 30/03/2012, 09:32 PM

[wrong]

dp.

This post has been edited by wrong: 30/03/2012, 09:32 PM

[bluecardigans]

You forgot about the $7,500/child/yr cap.

True

[judy_]

A Nanny subsidy would have been a godsend for me.

Over my last year of paid employment the only way I could manage my job was a 'dodgy' arrangement with a babysitter and a daycare centre.

At $75 a day for daycare (less 50%) plus a nanny for 3 hours at $60 a day who picked up my 6 year old from school (no after school care at the school) and then got the 3 year old at a reasonable hour.. and would put dinner on to start (I cooked it the night before and she cooked the rice, pasta or heated it). No cleaning - I also had a cleaner. It was very very expensive. But my kids loved my babysitter/nanny and she went out of her way to do activites/excursions every day. she also took the 6 year old to after school activities.

But it was the only way I could do it, especially as I had to deliver the 6 year old to the door for 8.50 and no earlier!

Yes - my nanny was done on the sly, a uni student doing it for cash in hand. legitimising the whole thing through registration and subsidy would actually tidy it all up. And really a person who wants to look after kids to me is the best qualified person. People actually have children (for life and 24 hours a day) with no training, no skills and quite often by accident!

[JRA]

At present the rebate is a percentage of the fees, so 50 percent rebate for a nanny would cost more than child care centred or FDC. If the rebate was not a percentage but a rate, I agree, it would not cost anymore to fund a nanny.

Most people who work significant hours hit the 7.5K cap anyway, so I don't see that.
Yes, there are people now who have nannies and don't get the rebate, but I would be surprised if that number is really quite significant

[Lokum]

The number might be more significant if CCR/CCB were available for nannies.

There are probably people using all sorts of cobbled together arrangements which are less than ideal, who would prefer a regularised situation.

Hell, there are probably women who would be more able to participate in the workforce (and therefore have better super) if more flexible and affordable childcare was available.

[kadoodle]

I don't understand the argument that it would be more expensive for the government?

I thought his idea was to allow the current rates of CCB/CCTR to apply to nannies? So, doesn't that mean that the cost to the government would be the same for each child regardless of the setting?

I also don't get the whole 'Abbott proposed it so I can't agree with it' frame of mind. Either you think its a good policy or not.

On the surface it is an excellent policy.

But to be workable it would need to be:
- means tested to parents earning under (at a guess) $200k,
- funded without removing funding from another area in need (which would mean a new tax/raising taxes)
- regulated and staffed by relevant professionals
- pay and conditions monitered
- not just a vote-grabbing sound-bite with no hope of ever seeing the light of day.

I loved the flexability of employing a nanny. My kids loved having someone who could look after them in the comfort of their own home. It was very helpful in allowing DH and I to advance our careers post-childbirth.

If Tony Abbott actually brings a workable version of this scheme into being, however, I will tapdance naked on the roof of Parliament house.

[hayleymumof3]

If Tony Abbott actually brings a workable version of this scheme into being, however, I will tapdance naked on the roof of Parliament house.

Kadoodle stop teasing me, I may be tempted to vote for Abbott just to see that

[Bella Gs mum]

The best thing about this issue is that both parties seem to agree that more support for working mums is a great idea, even if neither is proposing definitive solution.

I tried to fairly represent all sides of this debate this week here on my Working Mums Australia blog http://wp.me/p23TNb-55. It's a tough issue!

Kirsten