Riversdale Early Learning Centre would like to advise our families that our fees will change from Monday 4th July 2022. We continue to be conscious of the economic landscape and what this means for families. We have balanced this with the increasing costs of consumables involved with providing quality childcare for all, and importantly accommodating the salary increase of 4.6 to 5.2 % for Childcare Workers receiving the minimum wage and additional superannuation contributions (in line with government directives and industry bodies).
We will continue to improve and resource the centre to deliver quality education and care for children. This also extends to the launch of our new menu from July led by the newly appointed Georgia Barnes (professional cook, nutritionist and food educator). We remind families that your CCS (Childcare Subsidy) applies to any increase as well. Inclusive of the second siblings extended subsidy of up to 95%, and the waiving of the annual income cap that Centrelink had previously applied to fee subsidisation. The government implemented these initiatives not only to assist families but also to support the very real increasing cost of childcare service operations and the salary increases they had earmarked for our valuable Educators.
With the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), we continue to offer 3 sessions for our pricing to accommodate family’s needs in terms of hours allocated by Centrelink per fortnight via their subsidy allocation. The government will receive your attendance records so it is best to be in the correct session or you will be at risk of running out of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) in the second week of the fortnight. As from 14 January 2019 the Government has received all sign in and sign out data and this will continue, so please be vigilant in sticking within your session/hours specified on your CWA to avoid additional costs applied by the Government.
Our fees include morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and late snack from our beautiful organic Kindy Kitchen. We also supply our nappies and wipes along with natural sunscreen and insect repellent. We also strive to supply new and refreshed resources regularly to each of our rooms, and encourage Educators to ensure new resources are meeting the development needs and interests of children in their rooms.
Where possible and business conditions permit, we also offer some in-house additional complimentary sessions where it is age-appropriate such as: Yoga, Arakan, Martial Arts and Showtime Dance & Movement. Management reserve the right to change suppliers, days and the implementation of these sessions at our discretion. Other extra-curricular activities are often on offer such as Little Big Sports and Tiny Tennis. These last two activities remain a private third-party payment agreement between families and the suppliers, who operate their sessions on our premises.
CCS Childcare Subsidy Changes
- From the 10th of December 2021the annual cap was removed for all families who get CCS. It will be backdated to the start of the 2021-22 financial year. If you’ve already reached the cap, the government will automatically pay you any money owed in December 2021.
- From 7 March 2022, CCS increased for families with more than one child in childcare aged 5 or younger. Full information can be found here: https://www.dese.gov.au/child-care-package/child-care-subsidy/family-eligibility-and-entitlement/higher-ccs
We also remind any families whose income may have been significantly affected over recent times, that you may be eligible for short-term fee assistance through the government. We urge that if you are experiencing financial hardship to explore the link below and take any necessary steps that may be appropriate for your situation.
We realise a lot of important information has been covered in this correspondence, if you have any questions please contact Emma, our Director at Riversdale Early Learning on 07 5529 8744 or at the front office in the bottom building. Or you can direct questions to me on email [email protected]
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing commitment and continued loyalty shown towards the Centre. Now in our third year of operation we continue to see our relationships with the Riversdale families strengthen and we thank you for working with us to build a beautiful community for children.
Kylie Alldridge
Approved Provider
JULY 2022 Fee Schedule follows on next page.