Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2016 10:42 pm**

Hi Everyone,

The Priority of Care has always confused me a bit. I run a Family Day Care and last year I had a parent inquire about care on certain days, which I was not able to provide at the time. They declined going on my waiting list as they needed care at the time and found alternative care. However, I have recently had three days (Wed, Thur and Fri) open up due to a family moving away and when I advertised the vacancies, this parent contacted me again requesting two of the days I had open (Thur and Fri). I had just filled one of the requested days, Thursday, literary an hour beforehand with a non working parent but now this original parents wants two days. She has been given the vacant Friday spot (which she is happy with) but do I also have to give her the Thursday spot as she is a working parent over the non working parent? I understand the principles behind the priority of care but do not think it is fair as someone responded to the advertisement first. No children have been formally enroled yet.

I am not sure who I give the Thursday spot to so if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
KAP14

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2016 5:01 am**

Every Child Care Benefit approved child care service has to abide by the guidelines and tell you about them when you enrol your child into care:

Priorities
First Priority: a child at risk of serious abuse or neglect
Second Priority: a child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both satisfy, the work/training/study test under Section 14 of the 'A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999'
Third Priority: any other child.

Within these main categories priority should also be given to the following children:

children in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
children in families which include a disabled person
children in families which include an individual whose adjusted taxable income does not exceed the lower income threshold of $43,727 for 2015-2016, or who or whose partner are on income support
children in families from a non-English speaking background
children in socially isolated families
children of single parents.

A child care service may require a Priority 3 child to vacate a place to make room for a child with a higher priority. They can only do so if you:

are notified when your child first entered care that your service follows this policy
are given at least 14 days notice of the need for your child to vacate.

Ref: Priority Of Care

So, from the list above I think that the spot should go to the Non working parent... I think...

,
Lorina

Posted: **Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:57 am**

Hi Lorina and Kap14,
We all work under the same regs and acts. Your scheme will also have additional policies.
In FDC most of us do not keep places for families unless they have enrolled, so first in first served. I let mine know someone else is interested in the space so they shouldn't delay if they want it, because too many say yes but put off enrolling then we have turned down other families in the meantime and the first one changes their mind. Keeping in mind we only have a small group and it can mean we are working and only getting paid for 2 or 3 children...not much at all.
If its is not a case of abuse or neglect, then whoever comes to you enrolls and pays their bond first I would give the place to.
In the past I have asked a non working family to give up a day for a working family that was already in my care, but if someone else in your scheme can fit them in then that is not necessary. If the working mum is happy to take what you have then get her to come in and have an interview and enroll and if another day pops up you can offer it to her as well.
All the best
Linsaa fdc

Posted: **Sun Feb 07, 2016 5:19 am**

Thanks for your FDC advice Linsaa!

,
Lorina

Posted: **Sun Feb 07, 2016 6:20 pm**

Thank you Lorina and Linsaa. You have both put my mind at ease a bit

I have decided to let the non working mum have the spot at this stage because firstly, because she applied first and I think that is fairest, and secondly, I know for a fact that our local LDC has spots available and the other parent can use the centre if they need/want to. If at a later date this needs to change for whatever reason I will try and do what is best for all parties involved.

Thanks heaps,
KAP14

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