• Baby Bonus - While the baby bonus will increase to $5000 from July this year, it will be means tested from January 1, 2009. Those with an adjusted taxable income of $75,000 (equivalent to an annual income of $150,000) will not be eligible. The bonus will no longer be paid as a lump sum, but in 13 fortnightly instalments of approx $385.
• Family Tax Benefit Part B (click here for more info on FTB Part B) - while the FTB was means tested before, and was paid on a sliding scale similar to child care benefit, where high income earners received a minimum payment. The differences now are: a. the FTB Part B payment is now based on the principal earner’s income, not the non-principal earner’s income as it was before and b. the family where the principal earner earns over $150K no longer gets a minimum payment.
• Child Care Benefit - this remains the same. It is still means tested but high earners over $150K family income will still receive a minimum benefit of 16.5% of child care costs, which is generally taken directly out of your bill from the child care facility.
• Child Care Tax Rebate - this has been increased from 30% of child care costs to 50% (after CCB has been deducted) and up to $7500 (from $4,354) per child per year. This should make a substantial difference.
• Pre-School Promise - the government has pledged that by 2013 every four year old child will be eligible to receive 15 hours per week over a 40 week year in a public pre school facility.
• Education Tax Refund - from 1 July 2008, eligible parents will be able to claim a 50 per cent refund on eligible education expenses for children undertaking primary or secondary school studies — up to $375 for a primary schooler and up to $750 for a secondary school child each year.

Many thanks to everyone who filled in the CareforKids.com.au® third Annual Child Care Survey. We thought you’d be interested in reading the results, and as usual we’re always happy to receive your comments on issues about child care.

The results of the latest CareforKids.com.au® Annual Child Care and Workforce Participation Survey show that parents are increasingly worried about the cost of child care, but also more confused than last year over eligibility for the Child Care Benefit and employers still have much to do to encourage women back to work after maternity leave.

The survey results show that parents are still very unhappy with the escalating cost of child care and despite child care vacancies, parents often still can’t find the right type or days they need.

Hilary Lauder is married to Brad, and has three children: Two are now school-aged, Matthew 7 and Rebecca 5 and Annabel has just turned 3.

Brad and Hilary run the pregnancy and parenting website and parents forum bubhub.com.au from their home in Queensland and share the care of Annabel two days a week - each getting to work a half-day, while the other three days they both work "full-time" between school drop-off and school pick-up times.

With the cold snap many of us are experiencing at the moment, wouldn’t we all like to be tucked up in a gorgeously snug little rest time set from Jam Berry!

Jam Berry designers have created a range of bedding that includes sheet sets, preschool sheet set (or kindy sheets), blankets, pillows, and drawstring bags specifically for rest time. Their style appeals to children through colour and parents through practicality and detailing (they can be machine washed and tumble dried!).

The new Rest Time Packs include one fitted sheet set, pillow, blanket & drawstring bag and come in colourful blue, pink and green designs. They’ll fit a baby cot or preschool stretcher bed and all items in the pack can be washed together before use.

Jam Berry provides a range of coordinated products required for preschool, kindergarten, childcare & primary school, including a great range of stick-on and iron-on labels, id cards and book bags (or library bags) that have been specifically designed so even the youngest child is able to use and carry, while the older kids have a secure location for their library or id card. Visit jamberry.com.au or call 1300 660 590.

Jam Berry has very kindly donated TWO sets (a pink and a blue) to CareforKids.com.au® members this month. Valued at $69.95 each.

To enter simply cast your vote in our quick poll about the Budget.

Vote here