How to Survive Child Care Costs - CareforKids.com.au®

In this Economic climate we look at some cost saving child care options

This year really isn't going well in terms of affordability of petrol, child care and general living expenses. The only reprieve at the moment is that some of the banks are lowering their mortgage rates. With child care costs on the up, despite the increased child care benefit (depending on your income) and tax rebates, this month we're looking at ways to cut a few costs.

Nanny /Au Pair Sharing
Nanny sharing is fast becoming a trend in many metropolitan areas of Australia. With parents finding it hard to get child care places when they need them, especially if it's only for a few days a week, then nanny sharing is a very good alternative.

Nannies and au pairs may be perceived as expensive child care options, but if you share their time, they can actually be more economical than other child care; plus they don't require you to burn fuel to drop off and pick up children and children are catered for in the home. If you have a friend or know someone who has a nanny, why not look at sharing? The cost of a nanny looking after two children at one time is only marginally more than looking after one (approx $22 for two children and $18 for one). It has the added benefits of relationship building between nanny and wards and also between children from different families being cared for together.

Many of the nanny agencies registered on CareforKids.com.au can work on a Nanny Share arrangement for families. This can be either divvying out the nanny's time over a week or having the nanny look after more than family's children at the same time. Go to the nanny and au pair searches on CareforKids.com.au. Click Here to find agencies that operate in your area and may be able to help you with nanny share.

It might also be worth pointing out that nannies can now qualify for child care benefit (but NOT tax rebate) as long as they are registered with the Family Assistance Office.

What is registered care?
According to the Family Assistance Office, registered care is care for work related purposes that is provided by grandparents, relatives, friends or nannies that are registered as carers with the Family Assistance Office. Registered care may also be provided by individuals in private preschools; kindergartens; some outside school hours care services and some occasional care centres. Carers or teachers in these services must be registered with the Family Assistance Office. Your carer can tell you if they are registered. If your carer would like information on how to become registered, they should contact their local Family Assistance office.

Parents can claim up to 50 hours of Child Care Benefit a week for each child in registered care if one or both are working or looking for work, training, studying or exempt from this requirement. For more information see work, training, study test.

The family's income will not affect the amount of Child Care Benefit you can get for registered care.

NB Child Care Tax Rebate is NOT available for registered care.

Child Care Co-ops And Child Care Exchange
Many parents, particularly single ones find they are very isolated if they don't have many friends with children; a mothers' or fathers' group or can't rely on family for many reasons. Child Care Exchange and Child Care Coops can be a great way to not only cut the costs of child care but they can also be very useful in establishing a bit of a local support network of like-minded parents.

You can also start your own search by logging on to CareforKids.com.au Social Forum and starting a group for child care exchange.

Many women work part time and are happy to take turns looking after another child on their home days. This can be a perfect way to occupy the children's time and save on some child care costs. It also works for babysitting.

Family Day Care
Family Day Care is becoming more and more popular, particularly with the lack of child care places in metropolitan areas and the lower cost per child. Family Day Care will cost from $4.50 to $7.50 per hour per child. It is very flexible and convenient with a social aspect and family feel given it's usually run by a parent – often with one or two of their own children in the group.

Parents must make sure that the family day care they are considering is registered with the Family Assistance Office for tax and benefit purposes and are NCAC accredited to make sure it has been properly vetted for quality, safety and insurance. To search for local, registered family day care, click here.

Many Family Day Care providers also offer care on evenings and weekends.

For the pros and cons of all child care types, see our article and comparison table - Click Here.