There is a proposed increase to Bannockburn Children’s Service child care fees included in the draft Council Budget 2018-19. The proposed fee (before any Child Care Subsidy is applied) would be $135 a day or $635 for five days.
Council is very sensitive to the impact of any increases to fees, rates or charges on our residents and takes the effect of this change very seriously. The reason for this increase is to allow Council to better meet the cost of running a high-quality, best-practice service, such as the Bannockburn Children’s Service offers. 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 service is more financially secure and that Council spends less on subsidising the service. It is disappointing that Council must take this action but we aim to ensure we can continue to deliver the service into the future.
Under the proposed fee structure, there would be a slightly reduced fee (by $40 a week) for children in five days of child care per week. Parents have been given a month’s notice as required by our fee policy.
Council recognises and respects that this change is upsetting for parents. All feedback provided by our families, including an intention to leave the service, is being collated and considered, and we are aiming to respond to concerned parents and carers as soon as possible. Over the next couple of months, Council will review all input and consider how we can best support Golden Plains families in a financially responsible way.
All residents are welcome to review the draft Budget and to make a submission if they feel the Budget does not meet community requirements, in accordance with the Section 223 process as legislated by the State Government. Submissions close on Monday 28 May, and any person can make a written submission using the online submission form. Alternately, you can lodge a submission by post to the Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn 3331 or by email to [email protected].
Council encourages all families to ensure they have completed their Child Care Subsidy online form through MyGov, as the transition from Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate cannot happen automatically. Learn more about the new subsidy and how to transition.