Childcare help!

**bidsandrew** · 10-01-2012, 03:29 AM

Was wondering if anyone could give me some advice/help on childcare.

My youngest son who is 3 (4 in June) really needs to go to some sort of childcare just to get back to socialising with his own age group. I am also possibly starting work soon so might need it for that anyway. If it is for when i go to work it is going to be a few hours a day, are there any places that do just a few hours or is it morning/afternoon or whole day? I have tried to have a look at my options but I am confussed by all the different child care options. Also, we are on permanant residence visa's so do we get any help from the government and if so is it only certain places or certain types of childcare that you can get the help with? Does anyone know of any of the above in the Moana area that they would be happy to recommend? Sorry for all the questions but it just seems like a minefield!!

Cheers
Bridget

**alymacck** · 20-01-2012, 06:42 AM

Hi, If i remember correctly your son can go to kindy the term after he is 4. He can attend four sessions (Morning/afternoons) and some kindys (mine did) two whole days instead. Cost a bit more with lunchcare but if your working it might make it easier. Then when he starts school the term after he is 5 he may well go with a lot of his kindy friends. I'm in Morphett Vale so don't know where your nearest kindy would be but i'm sure there will be few about. Sorry i cant be of more help!

**lippy** · 20-01-2012, 10:55 AM

Each centre is different and some have kindy programmes within the centre whilst others take them to Kindys asociated with a school. My son went to Kindy 1 day a week (morning only) the term before he turned 4 and then 2 sessions per week once 4. Don't think the cost was high (memory's gone and it was only a couple of years ago!) - $50 for the term?
Old Coach Road in Aldinga used to do morning/afternoon or all day care. They also took the kids to the local kindys - Aldinga & Willunga

**niknjas** · 20-01-2012, 01:19 PM

Hi
My daughter is 5 in April. When we got here two years ago, once she hit three, she could go to occasional care one morning a week. If I remember rightly on age she was 4 when that changed to two and a half days a week. In line with new government guide lines, she now has two full days a week from 8.30 to 3.30 and a Friday morning every other week. She also has a school visit once a week for six weeks. After that I am in the dark as to whether she will be there all day every day as I keep getting mixed answers. Her fees are $50 a term if paid on time, $60 if not (you get three weeks to pay it). Apparently if you are a bit short on money they will also stagger payments at the reduced rate. It will differ with different kindy's.
The childcare centre at Noarlunga charges by the hour on an as and when basis (think it is called Fleurieu Childcare), located by the library and the new Health Centre. This is the only one I know of that does this although there must be more. As you are here on permanent visa's, you should get a percentage of this back through Centrelink.
Hope this helps.

**Cherrypecker** · 22-01-2012, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by niknjas

The childcare centre at Noarlunga charges by the hour on an as and when basis (think it is called Fleurieu Childcare), located by the library and the new Health Centre.

I just Googled this place. It sounds really good. Thank you.
Paul