I am sending my 2yrs old son to a childcare (Goodstart Early Learning Centre) in Melbourne. He goes only twice a week. They have different rates for 1day/week use, 2days/week use or 5 day/week use.There is no problem here.
Whats surprising me here is, they are going to charge me even for public holidays. For example, if the centre is closed for Christmas day or new year day etc, we still have to pay for these days. As centrelink is not going to pay for these days, we end of paying full payment around $85/day.
I feel this is not fair. As the centre is being closed on public holidays, why do we need to pay for those days? Is this the common practice with all childcares? How do we say NO to them?
Its common practice, don't know of any child care (in Melbourne, S/E) that doesn't do this. The reality is, the staff get paid for the public holiday despite not working (like most of us) so that money has to come from somewhere. Not sure why centrelink wouldnt pay for it, they do for me.
My kids also only go a couple of days, just have to be strategic with it and not have Monday as your normal day (as most public holidays occur on a Monday)