The Childcare Billing Question That Nobody Wants To Ask

The Childcare Billing Question That Nobody Wants to Talk About

There’s a lot of buzz about childcare reform.

Many people are concerned they will be left worse off or the package is not enough. Perhaps also a case of too little too late for the government on an issue that affects families in more ways than just money.

We live in a society that pulls us in different directions.

If we stay home and raise our kids, somebody out there has the view we don’t contribute. Never mind the children we are raising, who will become adults and with proper parental support will go on to be a success in whatever they do.

If we choose to go off to work, we are leaving our kids with strangers. Throwing them to the wolves and fend for themselves in an $80 a day childcare centre.

Of course, those who complain about us staying home also complain about their taxes contributing to us being able to work – we can’t win?

There is one thing I do not see being raised. 

What About The Childcare Centres Double Billing Practices? 

This is an industry that seems to have some sort of special permission to double dip.

The double billing and unnecessary fees are costing the Child Care Rebate system and individuals a fortune.

I’ll explain my annoyance with the terms and conditions of most centres I have been to.

There are opinions that a good childcare centre is hard to get into. Living just outside of a metro area, this is true. I’m not posh by any means but I do have a child with a post-cancer disability, so it’s taken a few centres to find the right one.

Because of the demand at some centres you are asked to call in as early as possible if your child is sick, that way another child can take their spot for the day. But you still get charged,

YOU STILL GET CHARGED!

If you have found a centre who only charges a cancellation fee, you have found a golden snitch.

Every centre I have used, even if my child’s empty space is filled – still charge you for the day.

I’ve been quietly pissed off at this for years. I recently challenged this billing behavior, only to be ignored. Why should a childcare centre pocket $90 for a sick child who was replaced for the day?

There are almost 7000 Childcare Centres in Australia.

If this billing practice happens three times a year in each centre with just ONE child …

$1,890,000 

If this billing practice happens six times a year in each centre …

$3,780,000

Now multiply that by the thousands of children who attend daycare across the country.

Now, obviously, this happens more than 6 times a year in Childcare centres because children get the flu and bug cooties quite often.

If I call a plumber to fix my toilet and suddenly can’t be home to let him in,  Can he still charge me for fixing my toilet? No.

If I make a doctors appointment and cancel the day before, can the doctor still charge me? No.

Keep in mind these kinds of trades don’t necessarily fill the vacant spot either.

If the spot can’t be filled, I get it. They need to make their money. 

I would like to know why Childcare Centers are allowed to charge full fee for a spot they have replaced.

When challenged, they will argue the point but provide no valid costing of what fees they incurred when replacing a child’s spot.

I have questioned the Childcare Regulation about this, at this stage there has been no reply. If I get a logical answer, I’ll happily adjust my thoughts accordingly!