Kinder/Daycare Centre Won't Swap a Day for Statewide Transition Day - What Would OzBargain Do?

geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 14:36
Last edited 09/12/2024 - 19:07 by 1 other user

My daughter currently goes to a Daycare/Kinder a few days a week including a Tuesday. She is going into Prep next year. Well, tomorrow, Tuesday the 9th of December is the Statewide Transition Day for VIC where the kids go for pretty much the entire day. She has been to a few other transition days but they have been only for 2 to 3 hours and most were on a non Daycare/Kinder day.

The Service Manager has said, "no swapping" essentially. Only for Public Holidays.

Less CCS it is costing us about $65 for the day. We wouldn't be the only family in the same boat, there is at least 3 other kids that attend the same centre that are going to the same school as my daughter. But there would still be probably 10 kids (as an estimate) who are going to other schools and would not be attending the centre.

The provider operates in VIC, QLD, and WA; so it isn't like a smaller single centre.

What you would you do? Contest it or just cop it on the chin?

Am I being too much of a tight arse to think this is unreasonable to swap a day?

It happening statewide. Just a few links to schools having the same day (albeit, different times). Purely as examples.

Feedback heard loud and clear - accept it and cop it on the chin.

Poll Options expired

  • 3
    Contest It
  • 120
    Cop it on the Chin
  • 19
    I don't care
Education & Work

closed Comments

  • stratbargain on 09/12/2024 - 14:40
    +20

    "Am I being too much of a tight arse to think this is unreasonable to swap a day?"

    yes

      • gbinitt on 09/12/2024 - 14:43
        +3

        Cop it. You're opening the door to anyone swapping any days whenever they like.

        • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 14:46
          -5

          Not really when the event that she is attending is a statewide transition day. I am not asking to swap a day because she has a medical appointment that I booked on the day.

          The date is set by the Education Department.

          • omguleh on 09/12/2024 - 15:19
            +2

            @geekcohen: Where is this info for Victoria? I have a kid going into Prep next year and not having a transition day tomorrow.

      • jv on 09/12/2024 - 14:46
        +15

        Why? Why is it unreasonable?

        Because it is against their policies that you agreed to when you enrolled.

      • Duckie2hh on 09/12/2024 - 15:37
        +3

        Are you going to ask for a refund for days that the school has a "student free day"?

        • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:42
          -6

          No. Because it isn't a private school.

    • angywoo on 09/12/2024 - 15:28

      this

  • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 14:40
    +11

    Am I being too much of a tight arse to think this is unreasonable to swap a day?

    Generally that is how childcare wors. You are enrolled for xyz days per week, you pay for these days regardless if you use them or not. Basically you have reserved a 'spot'.

    Considering you have been able to swap public holidays, that is a bonus, as most are too bad, that is your scheduled day, pay regardless.

    • jv on 09/12/2024 - 14:44
      +3

      childcare wors.

      Don't be a sausage…

      • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 14:46
        +7

        I understand how it works

        I don't think you do, hence the clarification of you have paid for a spot, regardless if you use it or not.

        I am talking about a fair number of kids would not be attending yet they are going to pocket the fees and the CCS that goes with it.

        No different than when your schedule day falls on a public holiday, and that happens way more than a once off Transition Day.

      • tomyzor on 10/12/2024 - 09:56
        +1

        Your fee is for the spot not the service.

  • brendanm on 09/12/2024 - 14:41
    +5

    So, you want to tell them that you aren't going and don't want to pay, on a day you are booked in, literally the day before?

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 14:42
      -2

      No. I emailed on Friday and had to follow up today.

      • brendanm on 09/12/2024 - 14:44
        +7

        You pay to book your days. They can not book anyone else in on those days.

        If you had told them weeks ago you'd possibly get some leeway, but not with short notice like that.

          • freefall101 on 09/12/2024 - 17:13
            +3

            @geekcohen: You're telling us there's a mass exodus from childcare centres tomorrow due to the the "transition day" (btw, it's transition day for kids going into year 7), shouldn't it be incredibly hard to fill spots on that day?

            • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 17:16
              -3

              @freefall101: Would not have thought so. The room my daughter in also has 3 years olds, so they could take the spots. If there are less numbers, then casual staff get told to have the day off or they don't get agency staff in (like the centre did last week).

              In the past on a weekend, we have booked an extra day in.

          • brendanm on 09/12/2024 - 17:51
            +2

            @geekcohen: In one day? No, that's not how it works.

  • gbinitt on 09/12/2024 - 14:41
    +4

    Fair enough. You're lucky to get swapping for public holidays.

  • jv on 09/12/2024 - 14:43
    +4

    Wow !!

    what a tight arse….

    • angywoo on 09/12/2024 - 15:34

      Funny how as an ozbargainer even you find this "tight"

  • Fredfloresjr on 09/12/2024 - 14:44
    +2

    It has been like that for all Daycare, no swapping.

  • djsweet on 09/12/2024 - 14:45

    Does "statewide" mean every four year old in the state enrolled to start school in 2025 has a day-long transition day? If so I would have thought a reasonable childcare centre would cater to this. Its similar situation to a public holiday.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 14:47
      -2

      Yes! This is exactly my point. It is statewide. Not just my local school that decided to do it on this day. It was set from the Education Department.

    • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 14:49
      +1

      Its similar situation to a public holiday.

      And what happens on a public holiday? You still pay, so not sure what you think would happen.

      • djsweet on 09/12/2024 - 14:50

        Idk I don't use childcare. But OP says you can swap public holidays at their centre.

        • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 14:53
          +2

          See comments above by other people and myself, if the OP has been able to swap for PH, then that is a rare event, so OP is lucky.

          Generally how these things go, is you book in for xyz days every week. You pay for these days regardless if you attend or not. Kid sick, can't go? you still pay. Falls on a PH, still pay. Going to see grandma, still pay.

          Basically these centers can only have a certain number of kids and have a staff to kid ratio, so if you book a spot, you are paying for that spot.

      • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 14:53

        Most public holidays, they will swap if there is a spot.

    • omguleh on 09/12/2024 - 15:22

      I haven’t found any direct sources saying it’s a statewide transition day.

      • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 16:06
        +1

        There isn't any sources because it is not statewide at all. I think they are confusing the Year 7 transition day with whatever is happening at their primary school.

  • TheRealCher on 09/12/2024 - 14:47
    +1

    Consider it from the other pov - they still have to budget for staff, rent, overheads etc. There's a minimum staff per day/child ration probably. Setting up policy and procedure from the start may not be convenient but it's dependable - it means that others throughout the year know what to do, and it also means staff are guaranteed an income that day (childcare is a really low and underpaid casualised industry).
    I get your point - it sucks that you have to pay for something you're not using. But the rest of the year when you are paying, you can depend 100% on them being there for you. That's what the money helps go towards.
    There might be centres out there that have other policies - you could go exploring those. But 65 bucks is roughly two hours work - it could be that those two hours are worth you working for, to know that you can depend on these people to help you out and to be there.

  • Dollar General on 09/12/2024 - 14:50
    -1

    Transition day is a waste of time. Skip that instead

  • HamBoi69 on 09/12/2024 - 14:54
    -2

    Yes, raise hell—daycare policies are merely suggestions when your schedule is involved.

  • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 14:57
    +1

    What's a transition day and why is this kid attending several of them (already done a few others for up to 3 hours and a full day one tomorrow)?

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:01
      -2

      A school transition day is a designated day or event intended to help students transition smoothly from one stage of education to another. It provides an opportunity for students, parents, and educators to familiarize themselves with a new school environment, staff, expectations, and routines.

      The more, the better, it makes it easier than dropping them on day 1 saying goodbye and leaving them with people they do not know.

      Tomorrow they meet their teacher, go into their class room and meet their class mates.

      Its grown over the last few years with having more sessions. The first few sessions, parents stay for the 1.5 hours and then the last two 3 hour sessions, we leave. Makes the transition to school a lot smoother.

      • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:09
        +3

        Sounds like something that could be accomplished in a couple of hours with ease so multiple days seems overkill. Either way I don't see what it has to do with the childcare centre. They had nothing to do with it's arrangement so why should they be the ones that have to be inconvenienced and have to adapt?

          • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:10

            @geekcohen: Which part and why am I wrong?

            • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:13
              +1

              @apsilon:

              Sounds like something that could be accomplished in a couple of hours with ease so multiple days seems overkill.

              • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:19

                @geekcohen: How long does it take to show them where the playground is, canteen, toilets, classroom and this is your teacher, go to them with any questions or if you need help. They'll recap it all again on the first day as well so I don't see the need to spend 20 hours on it. Kids have managed for centuries without it at all and they're already doing daycare so are familiar with being dropped off and spending the day with other people and kids.

                • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:21
                  -3

                  @apsilon: Again, you can speak from experience as a parent?

                  • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:25
                    -1

                    @geekcohen: I may not be a parent but I've done all this with nieces and friends kids. Unless they're special needs they can cope better than you think. Not that that's relevant at all, your question is about your entitlement to change a day at late notice. All of the decisions are on your side, why shouldn't the consequence be as well?

                    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:36
                      -4

                      @apsilon: Exactly, so as you are not a parent, then you do not have the understanding of how transitioning kids with change can be challenging. Specials needs or not.

                      It is not case of, here is the playground, canteen, toilets, classroom and your teacher, Mr/Mrs A, pick you up at the end of the day. It's daunting for children all in a new space.

          • Dollar General on 09/12/2024 - 15:32
            +5

            @geekcohen: Why all the drama when someone provides feedback you requested of members?

            • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:33
              +4

              @Dollar General: Feedback doesn't align with the answers they want. See it all the time unfortunately.

              • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:38
                -3

                @apsilon: Its not that, its the feedback lacks experience. Its not as simple as they think it is.

                • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:52
                  +1

                  @geekcohen: Maybe you need to speak to someone. I know parents often struggle with it and say it's the kid that needs help with it but I've seen a mate cry when his first kid started primary on the first day. It's emotional and a lot of people struggle with it but the kid will be fine.

            • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:37
              -2

              @Dollar General: Because their feedback lacks experience and understanding as a parent. It is a typical comment from someone who doesn't have kids. "Oh, you just do this and done". It isn't that easy.

              • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 15:48
                +1

                @geekcohen: So ignore that part of my response and explain why you think you shouldn't bear the consequence of the choice.

              • Dollar General on 09/12/2024 - 15:48
                +4

                @geekcohen: You ask for feedback and then downvote it when it doesn’t align with what you want to hear.

                I’m wondering who the child is that needs to go school

                • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:54
                  -3

                  @Dollar General: I welcome feedback when people have real experience.

                  • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 16:15
                    +1

                    @geekcohen: Again, your question is in relation to why the daycare centre should wear the cost of your choices. As a business owner for decades I have a lot of experience in relation to this type of question but you won't answer the question on why you believe you shouldn't have to be responsible for your own choices.

                    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:19
                      -2

                      @apsilon: But the date that has been set for the statewide transition day was not my choice. So not sure how that is relevant? I am not asking to swap a day because my daughter wants to go and see Grandma or has a medical appointment that I booked.

                      • apsilon on 09/12/2024 - 16:48
                        +1

                        @geekcohen: It wasn't the daycares choice either but it is your choice as to which to attend and as you have a contract with the daycare centre saying which days you want to use their services why should they be the ones responsible for your choice not to use the service on a pre booked day.

                  • Randolph Duke on 10/12/2024 - 11:28

                    @geekcohen:

                    I welcome feedback when people have real experience.

                    I reckon I did one transition day about 35 years ago. I was fine.

  • Porker on 09/12/2024 - 15:04

    What timeframe are you talking about here?

    A swap the day before or planned swap well in advance?

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:10
      -2

      Emailed Friday, followed up today, got a response within an hour. Was asking to swap to this Friday instead if possible, but could do Wednesday if there wasn't a spot.

      • CaptainJack on 09/12/2024 - 15:36
        +2

        So like 1 business day notice. Cop the $65.

        • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:38
          -4

          hhhmmm…. technically two and being that bookings are all online, someone could've booked the spot over the weekend. So the spot could've been filled.

          • CaptainJack on 09/12/2024 - 15:42

            @geekcohen: Unless it was early Friday morning - which I'm assuming it wasn't if they didn't reply - it's not two days notice.

            But if its such a big statewide event as you're making out, you would've known well in advance and could've given a couple week's notice.

            • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:51
              -2

              @CaptainJack: It was like 10am.

              Yes, I could've given more notice, but I feel the same response would've been provided. They have usually been good for public holidays doing it the day before in swapping to another day.

              • CaptainJack on 09/12/2024 - 15:53

                @geekcohen: Yeah if you gave more notice and they denied it then I'd probably agree with you. Its only $65 and you didn't give much notice, time to move on I think.

                • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:55
                  -5

                  @CaptainJack: Yes, sounds like I will based on all of the real feedback I have gotten. Some have thrown their 2 cents in without any experience.

                  • SlickMick on 10/12/2024 - 09:29

                    @geekcohen: I think you're on the wrong forum if you want to be selective as to the experience of responders.

  • binagran on 09/12/2024 - 15:25
    +2

    "Statewide Transition Day for VIC where the kids go for pretty much the entire day. "

    Hmm, even the links you put have
    Willandra Rise 9.15 - 11.30
    Topirum 9.00 - 10.00

    I also looked at a whole bunch of other schools, and they all seem to finish at 11.30 at latest.

    So certainly not the whole day. If the school your child is going to is doing the whole day, good for them, but certainly not all schools are doing whole day transitions.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:40

      Purely examples and they could be limitations of the schools website platform not allowing times or "all day". But yes, they are going from 9:30 until 2:45pm, which is pretty much the whole day. Pointless dropping her to daycare for 2 hours, then pick her up, school, come home, pick her up from school, daycare for another 2 hours and then home.

      • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 16:00
        +2

        You see it pointless to you, but you can do that if you wanted to. They have a spot for your kid, with the staff scheduled on to look after them.

  • angywoo on 09/12/2024 - 15:39
    +3

    Mate? Its $65. If it means that much to you, put in your notice and re-enroll after the transition day with your new 2025 days.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:41

      put in your notice

      Yeah, two weeks required.

      re-enroll after the transition day with your new 2025 days

      This doesn't make sense when she is going to school……… she won't need the daycare service.

      • angywoo on 09/12/2024 - 16:20

        Should have forward planned better then.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/12/2024 - 15:42

    $65 is cheap… ours is over $100 and we still need to make our own food for them.

    When we had our visit days (there were 3) for prep, 1.5 hours each, we had to pay each day, and got asked to not bring them back in as it would be too disruptive.

    Now I’m thinking maybe I’m just a sucker 🤔

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:44

      $65 is after the CSS. It is about $140 a day including food.

      When we had our visit days (there were 3) for prep, 1.5 hours each, we had to pay each day, and got asked to not bring them back in as it would be too disruptive.

      I dropped my daughter off after the other previous sessions. All done by 10:30 and she was at daycare by 11. Still had a good chunk of the day left.

  • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 15:43
    +1

    I'm in VIC, have 2 kids gone from daycare > Prep and have never heard of there being a single statewide day where kids going into prep for the entire day?

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:45

      Some schools might not refer to it as a "statewide transition day", but its a thing.

      • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 15:47

        Our school did 6 x 1.5h sessions which finished last week. One whole day seems a little weird to be honest. I would suspect its not terribly common for schools to do that long of a session for incoming preps.

        • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:49

          We have had 2 x 1.5h (parents stayed), 2 x 3h (no parents) and then 1 full day (9:30-3) tomorrow.

          I am all for the long session, get used to be there for an almost normal school day before jumping in head first next year.

          • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 15:53

            @geekcohen: Its not a bad idea, but i suspect it is uncommon to do so. Also presumably you aren't paying the school for this so you aren't out of pocket. If the transition day didn't exist, you'd pay childcare. The transition day is still providing almost a day of care.

            • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 15:56

              @seanfoite:

              If the transition day didn't exist, you'd pay childcare.

              Yeah, but my kid would be attending.

              The transition day is still providing almost a day of care.

              Whilst yes it is, I am paying someone else money for something I am not receiving.

              • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 15:58

                @geekcohen: And? Remarkably few of the costs associated with childcare would have to do with your child physically being there. They still have to pay staff, rent, utilies, insurance etc to operate the centre. You are essentially choosing not to attend for that day (for a very good reason).

                • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:01

                  @seanfoite:

                  They still have to pay staff, rent, utilies, insurance

                  And they don't on public holidays? Still happy to swap those days.

                  • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 16:03

                    @geekcohen: Mine doesn't! They will give a slight discount if you apply for holidays. So count yourself luck on that regard.

                  • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 16:04

                    @geekcohen:

                    And they don't on public holidays? Still happy to swap those days.

                    And as many have said, this isn't a normal thing that happens. So be thankful you can swap PH days around, as most people can't.

  • gbinitt on 09/12/2024 - 16:00
    +4

    You've spent nearly $65 worth of your time in here venting. You did not get the sympathy you were looking for. OzBargain has spoken.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:01
      -2

      OzBargain has spoken

      And received loud and clear.

  • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 16:03
    +2

    LOL OP claims Statewide Transition Day, posts links to event…..One is from 09:00:am - 10:00:am, the other is 09:15am - 11:30am.

    Must be one of those WFH people if they think this is a whole day thing.

    • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 16:04
      +2

      Yup. It is happening at OPs school so therefore every 4 year old in VIC must be doing it.

      • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:11

        If they are attending a public school, yes, thats right. Private schools do their own thing as always.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:10

      Purely examples to indicate it isn't just my daughters school deciding to do it on Tuesday the 9th.

  • binagran on 09/12/2024 - 16:39
    +3

    I have a feeling you are mistaking the Statewide Primary to Highschool Transition Day.

    Random selection of other schools that aren't doing their Preprimary to Year 1 days on Dec 10th.

    Glenn Waverley (26th November was their last "transition" day)
    https://www.glenps.vic.edu.au/source/2025%20Prep%20Transition%20Program%20Poster%20(2).pdf

    Montrose (22nd November was their last "transition" day)
    https://www.montroseps.vic.edu.au/page/90/Prep-Transition

    Ascot Vale (They're last "transition" day is next Tue 17th December)
    https://avps.vic.edu.au/prep--foundation-transition.html

    So it's definitely not all schools. The only Statewide transition day is the Year 6 to 7 transition day for Government School kids.

    • seanfoite on 09/12/2024 - 16:41
      +1

      Yep 100%

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 16:44
      -4

      I am not mistaken.

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