Kinder program options FAQs
Mount Scopus offers two options for our kinder programs.
We understand that every family’s situation and child care needs are different.
That's why, at Scopus, we offer our Lower and Upper Kinder families a choice of booking options as outlined below.
These options will provide families with maximum flexibility to choose what suits them whilst balancing the hours of extra childcare needed with the government subsidies provided to eligible families.
Depending on what CCS level families receive, under the current government regulations many families could be significantly better off with lower out-of-pocket expenses by switching from the Kinder only program to the fully inclusive Long Day Care program which operates across 48 weeks of the year.
Families are responsible for determining which package will best meet their specific needs and may wish to obtain independent advice.
CCS is not payable by Centrelink before the first day of physical attendance or after the last day of physical attendance either in the Kinder only or Long Day Care programs. Refer to Centrelink for full details of eligibility.
Further details are outlined below.
Attendance basis | Approx no. weeks per year # | Hours included* | Beforecare and aftercare workshops | Holiday program |
Long day care (LDC48) | 48 | 7.30am - 6.00pm Mon to Thu, 7.30am - 4/5.00pm Fri | included | included |
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Kinder only program (KP) | 40 | 8.30am - 3.00pm Mon to Thu, 8.30am - 12.00pm Fri | pay per use | pay per use |
# An operating week indicates that the centre will be open for at least one day during that week, for example if the first day of kinder is a Friday that is counted as an operating week.
*Aftercare finishes at 5.00pm on Friday in Terms 1 and 4, and at 4.00pm in Terms 2 and 3 in line with the seasonal change in the start of Shabbat.
All other fee conditions as outlined in the fee policy issued with the tuition fees will apply to whichever option you select.
The fees for 2024 will be finalised and released in December, prior to commencement. The fees below apply to the 2023 school year and provide an indication.
Attendance basis | Annual fee (before CCS) | Billing period |
Long day care 48 weeks (LDC48) | $35,710 | 1 Feb 2023 - 25 Jan 2024 |
Kinder program (KP) | $26,830 | school terms only |
Casual bookings
Holiday program: $120 per day Monday to Friday (KP only)
Holiday program and Aftercare includes activity workshops and afternoon tea (fresh cut fruit, vegetables and sandwiches or similar).
Beforecare: $17.50 per session. Applies for KP only
7.30am to 8.30am Monday to Friday
Aftercare: $40.00 per session. Applies for KP only
3pm to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 4.00pm (Terms 2 &3) or 5.00pm (Terms 1&4) Friday
Charging for public holidays
ELCs are able to charge for days that are closed due to public holidays or operational reasons. As the kinder program tuition fee at Mount Scopus is set as an annual fee, these charged days do not increase the annual fee charged to parents, but rather reduces the daily rate overall and thus the out of pocket cost for eligible families between the daily rate and the CCS.
Why is there a difference between the billing periods?
The Kinder only program covers school terms only.
The LDC 48 option includes the holiday program. As children can only attend the holiday program after they have commenced kinder, by starting billing in February and finishing the end of January, this allows the holiday programs at the end of both Lower Kinder and Upper Kinder to be included in this fee structure.
How do we know if we are eligible?
The government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) reduces the amount of out-of-pocket fees that eligible families will pay.
The amount of child care subsidy eligible families will receive will depend on income and approved activity levels as defined by Centrelink.
You may be eligible for child care subsidy if you have a combined annual income of under $530,000 in the 2023/24 financial year.
To learn more about child care subsidy, please go to https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy
To apply for child care subsidy, or to update your income estimate for 2023-2024 please go to your myGov online account or Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
What are 'activity levels' and how are they calculated?
The more hours of recognised activity (as defined by Centrelink) you do, the more hours of child care subsidy you can access, up to a maximum of 100 hours per fortnight for each child.
If you have a partner, the lower of your or your partner’s activity level will determine the hours of child care subsidy you can access.
A broad range of activities can be included when calculating your activity hours including:
- paid work, including being self-employed;
- paid or unpaid leave, including paid or unpaid parental or maternity leave (based on hours prior to leave);
- doing unpaid work in the family business;
- taking your child to and from child care;
- training courses to improve work skills or employment prospects;
- an approved course of education or study;
- volunteering;
- actively setting up a business;
- actively looking for work.
Calculating your activity level
Activity hours do not need to coincide with child care hours.
For example, if you undertake an approved activity on the weekends, you can still include those activities in your calculation.
Time taken to travel between GBH or FKI and your approved activity can also be included in your activity hours.
Different types of approved activities should be combined to calculate your total activity hours.
How do we update our activity and income levels?
To update the amount of approved activity that you do a week and/or your combined income, please go to your Centrelink online account through myGov.
It is vital that if your activity or income levels change during the course of the year that you update them as this may be reflected in your CCS benefits.
Families eligible for CCS
Parents should ensure their information is up to date with Centrelink. If your child has not yet been in childcare, or you haven't yet registered for the Child Care Subsidy then please do so. To be able to calculate which package will be best for you, you will need to know your subsidy percentage rate and the number of approved hours of subsidised care per week that you are eligible for.
Families not eligible for CCS
If your family is not eligible for CCS then you will already be able to calculate which option would be best for you, depending on your care requirements and the number of holiday program days and beforecare and aftercare sessions you would expect to use.
Please note that, other than in exceptional circumstances, your preferred booking option will remain in place throughout the year.
In line with the College's terms and conditions, one full school term’s notice in writing to the Principal is required before the withdrawal of a student from the College. If this notice is not given, one full term’s fees in lieu will be payable for all year levels other than Upper Kinder and Year 6, when two full terms' notice is required or the equivalent fees payable in lieu of notice.