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

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    Contest It
  • 120
    Cop it on the Chin
  • 19
    I don't care
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closed Comments

      • binagran on 09/12/2024 - 16:51
        +3

        "Tuesday the 10th of December is the Statewide Transition Day for VIC where the kids go for pretty much the entire day"

        We've just proven that 10th December is not a Statewide Transition Day Prep students (but it is for Primary to Highschool students).

        I get that your school is doing their last prep "transition" day, on the same day as the primary to highschool prep day, but it's very clear that not all schools are doing that.

        If you're not mistaken, then how do you explain that not all schools are doing it.

        • Miss B on 10/12/2024 - 07:59

          If you're not mistaken, then how do you explain that not all schools are doing it.

          Seems to just be this school. Has there been a single example of another school doing more than 3 hours? OP said when it was 3 hours she went to daycare anyway, it's only because it's full day she's not. It seems to just be this school, and maybe there are a couple of other outliers that have not been found, going for the day. As with OP, we would expect most that have the transition day for 3 hours or less will be going to daycare still.

    • ifyareckon on 10/12/2024 - 06:22

      December 10th is meant to be the day that schools do it to make it logistically easier for all involved. It is not mandated though, so some schools will do it outside this time. We have one child doing it today and the other did his last week.

  • Duckie2hh on 09/12/2024 - 17:09
    +5

    TLDR

    OP went to Ozbargain to complain about paying fees at the child care when his misses a day. Got negged instead.

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 17:11
      -8

      Yep. Complete opposite to what I expected. Especially when others go to Bunnings to price match Starlink to save $30 in delivery. Time, effort for $30…….

      • brendanm on 09/12/2024 - 17:56
        +1

        Your late cancellation costs the provider money. They cannot fill that space.

      • cerealsmok3r on 09/12/2024 - 18:01
        +3

        Its called a reality check

  • apple2016 on 09/12/2024 - 17:51
    +3

    Child care is a scam. You even pay for holidays.

  • brendanm on 09/12/2024 - 17:54
    +3

    Man I hope you aren't going to have to use before or after school care, you are going to hate paying for that when the kid is sick, picked up early etc.

    • JimmyF on 09/12/2024 - 18:02
      +1

      Or when the kid starts to high school and there is no before/after/holiday childcare!

    • geekcohen on 09/12/2024 - 19:43
      -1

      I won't be using that service.

  • Zeph101 on 09/12/2024 - 18:55
    +1

    So yes there is a transition day.. is it compulsory to go? If it was i would ask further.

    If it isn't you knew well in advance that your child wouldn't be going and only last minute tried to sort it out

  • Deridas on 09/12/2024 - 19:22

    What does the "terms and conditions" say when you signed up? I'm pretty sure you still pay even if you are not able to attend childcare, that's the standard in Australia and it should've been made clear when you enrolled.

  • lainey13 on 09/12/2024 - 21:44

    I have experience with one center letting us swap days when required but that is not allowed at a majority of places.

  • park it on 09/12/2024 - 23:45
    +1

    Almost every single reply from OP is negged. Here I am reading this thread close to 12AM coincidentally eating popcorn.

  • snirodha on 10/12/2024 - 00:10
    +1

    Day is reserved for your kid. You have to pay for the day whether your kid can or cannot attend. Try to understand the other party. They can't magically find another kid for one day to cover your kid slot. Lol

  • nepalesesquirrel on 10/12/2024 - 00:36

    Our child attended what our school called "schoolies" 1 day a week for 5 weeks on the same day the term before they started school. We just cancelled this day going forward(well in advance) and from memory the school charged us $50 per week too.
    What i dont understand is why OP wants to put his kid in for another day just because they are paying for it.

  • ifyareckon on 10/12/2024 - 06:25

    If all the kids ask to swap due to the transition day,. the daycare would still have to pay the staff rostered on for the day, but then also have to pay them outside of their contract to work additional hours on the days people want to swap to, to make sure teacher/child ratios are still met. It's a lose lose tor them, nothing to be gained by them agreeing.

    On the flipside, in a couple of weeks you will be free of childcare fees and will with all that spare $$$ will be wondering why you were ever bothered about $65!

  • sunnyboys2 on 10/12/2024 - 07:29

    Swapping is a privilege not a right, entitled much?

  • souljah on 10/12/2024 - 08:04

    It's a rort but just one of many ways they get you. Been through plenty of daycares in a few different towns.

    Almost of all of the would not allow swapping of days. Definately not public holidays which they just shut and charge you if that is regular day.

    Some do half rate of away on holidays, some wouldn't do that or you needed to let them know months out.

    Current one in country Vic this year was our only option as every other rone completely booked with long waitlists.

    Charges $180 a day before CCS. Minimum 12 hrs coded into their system - even if only needing half day or 8-9hrs. What does this mean? You get a set number of hours a week. Typically 36 a week to 50 which means you can ONLY get the CCS discount/rebate for 3-4 days make - then the FULL $180 a day.

    Found this out the hard way when they finally fixed their billing system and charged us for the first month… If I had a pitch fork and flaming torch I would have been rioting…

  • tabitha731 on 10/12/2024 - 10:15

    Yoh don't like it…give up your childcare spot.. I'm sure there will be someone willing to take your spot and not feel entitled

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 10/12/2024 - 12:20

    Comments closed by request of OP:

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

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