Child care fee change FAQs

Community
Bannockburn

We would like to acknowledge and address concerns raised by families and residents about the proposed increase to Bannockburn Children’s Service child care fees included in the draft Council Budget 2018-19. Below we have answered some of the frequently asked questions we have received.

What is the proposed increase and why is it happening?

The proposal included in the draft Council Budget is to increase the Bannockburn Children’s Service fee for education and care of children to $135 a day, which is a 24% increase from the 2017-18 daily fee.

The reason for this increase is to allow Council to better meet the cost of running a quality, best-practice service, such as the Bannockburn Children’s Service offers. Council’s objective is to ensure we can continue to deliver this important service to the local community into the future and this proposed increase would help facilitate that.

Why is the fee going to be more than other local providers and the Child Care Subsidy?

The reason for going above the Child Care Subsidy hourly rate of $11.55 to $12.72 (which for an 11 hour-a-day service is $127 a day and $135 a day respectively) is to ensure the Bannockburn Children’s Service is more financially viable and that Council spends less on subsidising the service.

How can I have my say?

The Council Budget is not yet finalised and Council encourages all residents to review the draft Budget and to make a submission if they feel the Budget does not meet community requirements. Submissions close on Monday 28 May, so if you would like to, please have your say before then.

Any person can make a written submission using the online submission form. Alternately, you can lodge a submission in writing or via email:

  • Post to the Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn 3331
  • Email to [email protected]

Copies of the draft 2018-19 Budget are available for inspection online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/budget, at Council’s Bannockburn, Smythesdale and Linton Customer Service Centres and at the Bannockburn Library.

If you are struggling to fill spaces, why increase the price?

While Council welcomes new child care providers into the region, the effect on our service has been lower-than-expected enrolments. Previously Council have strived to keep any fee increases to a minimum, however the increasing costs of managing a long day care service has resulted in fee increases across the sector. A fee increase will allow us to continue to provide a great service, with fantastic, local staff, to our families and children.

Why don’t you care about the effect on local families?

Council recognises and respects that that this change is upsetting for parents and definitely cares about all local residents and the effect that any increase in fees, rates or charges has on them. No increase in fees will ever be a popular decision and we aim to balance community needs with our ability to support them financially. We are a not-for-profit organisation, and we strive to meet our vision of a ‘healthy, safe, vibrant, prosperous and sustainable community’ every day.

I sent Council an email – why haven’t I received a response?

We have received a lot of feedback from concerned families and residents, and while we are not able to respond to everyone personally, we are committed to keeping everyone updated through emails and these frequently asked questions. All feedback is being collected, and Council will consider all input as part of its decision making process.

What do we get for our fees – why shouldn’t we go elsewhere?

Families using the Bannockburn Children’s Service receive a great service, provided by dedicated, professional staff who have a real passion for providing children with the best care and education possible. Over 60% of our staff are local, so you are also supporting local people when you use the centre. The choice of child care is a personal one and each family must decide what is best for them and their children.

I want to see what my new Child Care Subsidy might be but I can’t find the calculator I used last time?

Unfortunately the simple online calculator previously provided by the Federal Government is no longer available and they are now asking everyone to estimate what their family may be entitled to by entering their details into the Department of Human Services Payment and Service Finder.

The draft Budget seems to show a profit of $200K – is that right?

The figure in the draft Budget was prepared on the assumption that enrolments at Bannockburn Children’s Service would be at 93.25% of capacity. This was reduced slightly from the preceding year (96% of capacity) to account for the opening of a second child care centre in Bannockburn in 2018. However, the difficulty in predicting future enrolments means the expected capacity is different from our predictions. Council is currently monitoring the enrolment numbers closely.

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