[~nikki~]

Can I just ask how much it does cost to put a child in day care 1 day a week if your not working ? we are going to have a very small age gap and DH suggested DD go one day a week.

[Studybug]

The priority is 1 kids at risk, 2 working, studying parents. Etc etc. theoretically they should be asking a sham/dad to leave if they are neither of the above and a working mum is trying to get in, and is next in line on the list! But I don't know if that ever happens. At least that's what the paperwork I signed said when we were using day care 8 years ago. I see the priorities haven't changed though.

The priority listing was explained to me as only being taken into consideration when on the waiting list, not that if someone who is priority 1 or 2 gets to take the place of someone already in the centre who's a prirority 3. I was also told in the instance of priority 1, some centres would rather break the rules of staff/child ratios to accept the child into care then refuse them a spot when they're being abused/neglected.

So yes, the regulations actually outline that working mothers do get priority over SAHP in accessing child care, provided the child of the SAHP is not given priority 1 status.

eta out of curiousity, who as a studying or working parent would give their child/ren's spot to a priority 1 child? (not proving a point, genuinely curious)

This post has been edited by Studybug: 23/02/2012, 10:41 AM

[Miss 50s]

Can I just ask how much it does cost to put a child in day care 1 day a week if your not working ? we are going to have a very small age gap and DH suggested DD go one day a week.

Nikki I'm on Mat leave so I still get the 50% rebate out of pocket (we don't qualify for the other one). I'm not too sure if the 50% is eligible to parents who don't work?? I'd be interested to know. My D/C charges $95 a day.

[lozoodle]

Yes, and they do.

But the thing is its not really something they govern that closely.

I think the general priority goes - kids at risk are first priority, then working parents, then everyone else.

[Malaya]

Nikki - From abut $85/ day in my area and that's the govt one. Private can go over $100/ day. Before all rebates etc.

This post has been edited by Malaya: 23/02/2012, 10:40 AM

[Boys Rock]

Our centre has on the enrolment form the deewr requirements of priority of access. You have to sign to say that you understand them and the centre can give thirty days notice to vacate your spot if you are non working or can change your days etc

[~nikki~]

Thanks miss 50 :-)

[Fluster]

Can someone please explain to me why children who are at serious risk are being left in their current, unhealthy home environment? Under current guidelines, at what point is the child taken and placed into care?

Anyway, to answer the question, working parents should get priority. I work from home and only use vacation care. Several times the centre has been close to capacity and on each occasion, I have advised them that I am happy to have DS at home if a working parent needs a place. During the 2011 floods several staff were unable to travel and as such, I kept DS at home.

[happygurl06]

When I first put DD into child are I needed full time, they asked a SAHM to change her day do I could get in, she did do quite happily. I was very happy they had the policy that children at risk and of working studying mums get the days they need if already taken by a SAHM with no real need for that particular day. They don't do it if the SAHM is volunteering or doing patent helper duties in that day.

[Me+2]

I use daycare 2 days a week for my youngest DS who turned 2 today. DS1 goes to school 2 days a week.

I use it because my husband is FIFO and we moved to WA from QLD. We left behind all our family and friends so I don't have anybody to take over if I need a break. DH works away 3 weeks so for my sanity I use daycare but would give up my childs place if another child needs the place more.