A parent’s biggest task is selecting the right childcare facility that can meet their specific needs. Among the major factors of consideration, cost carries a big weight. Thinking about the cost as a whole may make you make an informed decision on the school of your choice. However, breaking down the costs into smaller parts can help you to understand why certain centres have higher costs than others.
Here is an exclusive breakdown of the costs involved to help you understand the right childcare centre that will meet your child’s needs in Dandenong.
Breaking down childcare enrollment costs
– Enrolment and administration fees
The moment you step into the centre with your child, you will be required to pay for the registration and administration fees, which may vary between centres. The fee is used to cater for paperwork involved and processing the registration details for your kid. You will barely find childcare centres that offer free enrolment in Dandenong. However, the fees usually range from $50 – $ 200. So make sure you research the school of your choice and know how much they charge for enrollment to help in drafting your budget.
– Weekly fees
You will also need to plan for weekly fees to ensure your child’s well-being at the centre. This fee is mainly influenced by the kind of childcare setup you are enrolling in. On average, parents in Dandenong pay a weekly fee that ranges from $80 to $150 per week. However, this fee is normally lower for part-time care. These fees cater for all your child’s needs including, meals, snacks, nappies and so on.
– Additional costs
Though weekly fees cater for most of your child’s needs, you may also need to pay additional fees for some services, especially if your child has special needs. You should get a full list of what is covered in the weekly fees and make arrangements with the organiser on separate services that your child may need. In rare cases, childcare may separate some of the basic services from the weekly fees and you will need to pay separately.
– Public holidays and sick days
The two main factors that may cause your child to be absent from school are public holidays and sick days. If your child misses school due to an illness, the centre may not charge you fees during that period. However, some centres will require you to pay full weekly fees even for the days that your child was not present. Thus, it is important to check with the management and understand these policies before you decide to enrol your kid to a given centre.
– Trips and adventures
From time to time, the school organises trips and nature adventures to expose children to the outside world. Thus, you will be required to pay for this program to ensure that your child gets to enjoy it with their peers.
Final thoughts
Understanding the costs involved in childcare is important to help you plan your family’s budget. The weekly fee is usually the most expensive since it caters for all your child’s needs to help them stay comfortable while at the centre. You may get support from government subsidies that automatically bring the costs down. However, when you explore childcare options in Dandenong, consider other important factors like the quality of care and education that your child will receive before making a final decision.
