Fees

Fees are charged on a daily or weekly basis with a discount offered for full time care. Our fee structure is based on a ‘cost for care’ basis for each applicable age group and charged weekly in advance via direct debit from a credit card or bank account. Our process of direct debit significantly reduces administration costs and hours thereby allowing management staff to concentrate on managing the children’s quality of care. During 2007 we will be introducing a web based accounting system that will allow parents to monitor their accounts directly on line.

While on first glance, some parents are surprised at the fee cost, parents need to consider and are often pleasantly surprised, by the various subsidies that reduce their actual cost of care. These subsidies can be significant, depending on the individual’s circumstance, and greatly reduce the actual cost paid by parents. Therefore the advertised fee cost does not necessarily reflect the actual cost paid directly by parents.

Understanding the various Subsidies can be a daunting task and our Centre Managers are available to assist in understanding your circumstances and your eligibility to the various subsidies. While meeting with the Centre Manager, ask for an indicative fee cost after all subsidies and rebates. To arrange an appointment or for further enquiries click here.

Subsidies

Government subsidies are available to eligible parents. There are a number of subsidies that are available that can significantly reduce the parent fee. Many of these subsidies can be paid direct to the Centre and subsequently are paid directly off parent accounts. This in turn reduces the weekly fee actually paid directly by the parent from their credit card or bank account.  

The most widely available subsidies include:

• Child Care Benefit (CCB) – This is a federally funded benefit that is means tested and based on parent income and the number of children within each family. The subsidy can be paid directly to the centre to reduce the direct parent weekly payment. For more information select the highlighted link.
• 30% Tax Rebate – The rebate is based on actual out of pocket expenses after deducting all other fee subsidies. The parent out of pocket expenses are declared in your tax return and the rebate is deducted from other tax payable on lodgment of your tax return. Receipts must be available. At EarlyCare, we make an annual fee report available to all parents to assist in compiling your tax return. For more information select the highlighted link.

• Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance (JETCCFA)
• Special Child Care Benefit
• Grandparent Child Care Benefit
• Inclusion  Support Subsidy

Understanding the various Subsidies can be a daunting task and our Centre Managers are available to assist in understanding your circumstances and your eligibility to the various subsidies. While meeting with the Centre Manager, ask for an indicative fee cost after all subsidies and rebates. To arrange an appointment or for further enquiries click here.

The Northern Territory Government also offers a subsidy that is paid directly to each centre service provider to assist in service funding. This subsidy indirectly reduces parent fees and makes a significant contribution to the quality of care available at all centres. EarlyCare recognises the significant contribution that the Northern Territory Government makes to parents and their children through this subsidy.