The end of a year often feels like a whirlwind of gift shopping, family gatherings, and holiday planning. But if you’ve got kids in childcare, it’s also the perfect time to wrap up a few important tasks to set yourself and your little ones up for a smooth transition into the new year. From sorting out essential paperwork to planning ahead for new childcare arrangements, here’s your ultimate end-of-year checklist. Plus, see how tools like our Childcare Subsidy Calculator can help make some of the financial planning a lot easier!
1. Prepare Your Child for Starting Child Care
If your little one is starting childcare for the first time in the new year, there are a few things you can do to ease the transition.
- Confirm logistics: Get in touch with your chosen childcare service to discuss start dates, routines, and any essentials your child will need to bring, like a change of clothes or nappies.
- Visit the centre: Plan a couple of short visits to familiarise your child with the environment, friendly educators, and exciting toys.
- Establish a routine: Gradually align your child’s at-home eating, nap, and play routines with the centre’s schedule. This will make those first few days feel much more natural.
- Talk it up: Chat positively about childcare, mentioning activities your child loves, like painting or playing outside.
Use Care for Kids to confirm details for your centre and check reviews in your local area.
2. Finalise or Update Your Child Care Subsidy
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is your ticket to reducing childcare costs, but it’s crucial to keep your details up-to-date to maintain your eligibility.
- Reassess eligibility: If you’re new to childcare, visit the Services Australia website to ensure your family qualifies for the subsidy and make your claim. If you’re unsure, our Childcare Subsidy Calculator can estimate what support you might get based on your income and hours of activity.
- Update your info: For returning families, log in to myGov to notify Centrelink of any changes in your household, such as increased income, new care arrangements, or your child starting school.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget the No Jab, No Pay policy requires children to be up-to-date with their vaccinations to claim the CCS.
3. Re-enrol for the New Year
Many childcare centres require families to re-enrol for the start of a new year. This is an excellent opportunity to reassess your current childcare needs.
- Book updated days if your schedule has changed.
- Bring your paperwork up to date if needed.
- Check whether the centre has any new policies or procedures starting in the new year that you should be aware of.
If your provider hasn’t reached out to confirm your child’s enrolment, don’t wait! Contact them to secure your spot.
4. Prepare for Room or Classroom Transitions
With January often comes new room assignments or classroom changes. If your child is moving up to a new age group or room in the centre, this is a great chance to prepare them ahead of time.
- Visit the new room with your child.
- Introduce them to new educators and other children, if possible.
- Update the centre on any special needs, allergies, or potty-training progress to make the transition seamless.
5. Start Planning for Big-School Transitions
Is your preschooler heading to “big school” next year? While the transition is an exciting milestone, it does take a bit of preparation.
- Organise farewell logistics: Notify your centre of your child’s departure and request refunds for any bonds or deposits if applicable.
- Collect keepsakes: Make sure you collect any of your child’s artwork or reports before their last day at childcare.
- Check school readiness: Ensure your child is familiar with their new routine, uniform, and supplies, and plan a few playdates with other kids starting the same school, if possible.
- Consider holiday care: If there’s a gap before school starts, make sure to arrange vacation care early, as places can book out quickly.
6. Double-Check Child Care Payments
When the end of the year approaches, it’s always good to confirm any final bills or adjustments to your childcare fees. Providers may charge fees for public holidays or other closures around this time, so ensure everything is squared away.
For those eligible for the CCS, it’s also worth checking that payments have been applied correctly to your account. Use the Care for Kids Subsidy Calculator to get a clear picture of your childcare costs and savings.
7. Book Babysitters for Holiday Season
We all know the festive season is a prime time for parties and date nights, so securing a babysitter early is essential.
8. Express Your Gratitude
Don’t forget to say “thank you” to your childcare providers for their support throughout the year. Whether it’s a heartfelt card, a small gift, or simply kind words, showing appreciation for their hard work can make their day.
Plan Ahead for an Organised Start to the New Year
Taking care of these essential tasks now will give you the peace of mind to enjoy the holiday season and confidently step into the new year. And remember, the Care for Kids Childcare Subsidy Calculator and Cost Tool are here to help simplify your planning and budgeting.
