What Determines Your Childcare Costs in Sydney

 It is every parent's wish to get their child the best childcare services. However, quality childcare doesn’t come cheap. Many households spend a significant percentage of their income on childcare, but this does not mean the situation can’t be helped. By knowing what affects childcare costs in Sydney, you will be able to filter your childcare options to the one that delivers quality services at an affordable price. In this article, we have pointed out some of the common factors that contribute to the final charges your childcare provider presents you with. They include:

Location

Childcare costs vary based on the state, region or city the provider is based in. Because the licensing regulations in each state are different, expect the cost not to be the same. You will find childcare providers in some states charging cheaper or higher rates than others. 

Proximity to cities also influences childcare costs. Childcare centres that are close to cities and major roads have a higher price tag. In places where there is a high cost of living, daycare, nanny, and babysitter charges also tend to be higher.

Number Of Children

Even though childcare is charged per head, enrolling more than one child could reduce the total fees you pay. Some daycares, for instance, offer discounted rates when you bring in siblings.

As for nannies, you will be required to pay more if you have many children that need to be cared for. When you have children who need more attention, nannies will usually expect higher pay. 

However, with Au pairs, the number of children rarely affects the total charge.

Required Services

Children have different needs, some a necessity and others luxuries. The childcare services you get for your child will definitely affect the amount of money you will be required to pay. 

It is understandable if you are charged higher when you need your child to have particular attention or education in addition to supervision. Daycare centres that organise extracurricular activities will also charge an additional fee to cater for that. 

That applies to baby sitters and nannies too. They may charge you for services such as preparing meals for your child, doing laundry and running errands.  

With daycares, you may have to dig deeper into your pocket if your child has special needs. The same could be said of home care as these duties require expertise.

Your Child’s Age

Younger children need more attention than those in pre-school. You will therefore spend more on child care in Sydney if you enrol your toddler. The higher childcare costs in Sydney for toddlers are partly because of the level of attention needed, help with feeding, potty training, diaper changing and other comforts necessary for little kids. 

This factor cuts across the board, meaning every child care option takes it into consideration. 

Duration

Today’s childcare providers are more accommodative and do not operate strictly on the 8 am to 5 pm schedule. However, you might have to spend more if you still need child care services outside of the usual operating hours. Also, part-time daycare will be cheaper compared to all-day childcare on regular days. 

When it comes to nannies, home care and babysitters, these ones will charge you for the hours worked; the more the hours the higher the cost and vice versa. 

Since every child care provider charges differently, you may need to find out how much each will cost you before you settle for one.

Qualifications And Experience

Most professional caregivers with a rich experience in childminding charge higher. A centre that only hires such caregivers is more likely to pass on the cost of hiring and paying them to you. 

It is no different for nannies as well. Those with no formal training will not be as expensive as those with professional training and experience. Generally, expect to pay higher if you wish your child to be attended to by caregivers with early childhood training,  first aid skills and advanced childcare training.

If your child has special needs, go for caregivers with a medical background. Even though most of them are not cheap, experienced caregivers with good testimonials will definitely take good care of your child.

These are some of the key factors affecting the childcare costs in Sydney. By sparing time to examine each of them in detail, you will be able to make a sound decision on where to enrol your child. Use them as a guide to finding affordable and quality childcare.