why it is exactly that ECE hours are only applicable for three and four year olds?
Perhaps I've the wool pulled over my eyes, but it makes sense to have it for one and two year olds too, right?
The reason I ask is, I'm looking at going back to work and holy heck daycare is UBER expensive. YEESH. It really is for the rich and famous!
Is there anything that caters for parents who aren't so keen on footing up close to $300 for 3/4 days of care?
Now I know it's what's best for your child and if I know that Redford will get the most super care at creche out of anywhere else then I'm happy to pay the bill, but honestly, is there even a choice?
What about parents that need to go back to work and can't foot the cheque? Or single parents? What happens then? Where do their kids go and how do they afford the care?
I just don't get it....
Have you tried looking in to Porse or Barnardos:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.barnardos.org.nz/
http://www.porse.co.nz/
Both, I think, are cheaper - although I haven't done the sums or looked into them, but my sis-in-law was doing Porse for a while and she was getting about $7 p/hour p/child as a Caregiver.
There are income tested winz subsidies available for those who can't afford it.
ReplyDeletePorse or similar homebased care often give a non-income tested subsidy also. You'd probably pay somewhere between $4.50-$7/hr for home based care.
ECE hours are for specifically that - "Early Childhood Education"..as in prep for school etc. 1 and 2yr olds (and arguably 3&4 yr olds but thats a different story) don't NEED education besides the normal everyday stimulation they get at home and in the community...so that would be why they don't get ECE funding.
Thanks ladies! I'm definitely going to look into Porse and Barnardos. And thanks Jenn for putting me straight on the ECE funding, I get it now!
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Yeah if you pay that much for childcare you are getting ripped off in a big way! Definitely many subsidies available to make it easier for you.
ReplyDelete1 and 2 year olds do get subsidised, more money per hour than 3 and 4 years olds. The whole thing is very confusing with the wording of 20 free hours.
ReplyDeleteFrom an ECE teacher
Oh really? I had no idea! Is it worked into what you pay each week or is it some sort of government payment? Thanks for commenting! :)
ReplyDeleteCrazy prices for daycare... Ive found that it varies between areas - even the chain-type daycares like ABC and Lollipops can vary from each centre as they are all independantly owned. When my girls were younger they went into home-based care through Gemma's and it was reasonably affordable, now miss 4 is at ABC and it is HIDEOUSLY expensive.
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