Four Important Reminders for December

Four Important Reminders for December

1. Child Care Rebate
Stick it on your list of things to do over the holidays or on your New Year's resolution: "I must apply for child care rebate".

About 100,000 families are missing out on up to $7500 in childcare assistance, government figures reveal.

Even the Minister for Childcare, Kate Ellis, told The Sun-Herald that her department had identified a "significant number of families" who were not receiving money they were entitled to.

''A lot of families aren't eligible for the childcare benefit, but don't realise they are covered by the childcare rebate,'' Ms Ellis said. ''There are many families missing out.''

We've said it time and again – even if you are not entitled to Child Care Benefit due to the means test, you are still likely to be entitled to the REBATE as long as you are: (i) a permanent resident of Australia, and (ii) working or studying at least 20 hours over a 2 week period. You can claim up to $7500 per year, straight into your bank account and on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly basis depending on your child care provider fee process and/or your choice of how you would like to receive payment.

No surprise however that the current confusing system will not be altered. While there's confusion, cash stays in the coffers… and not yours. Read more here.

2. Vacation Care
Many child care centres close during the summer holidays so you need to check on the dates for your child care and make sure you have a back up if they're closed. Many out of school hours child care centres based at schools etc run vacation care for the week before Christmas and then again from second week of January until the new school year starts (except Australia Day).

So get checking here pop in your postcode and see which of the centres have vacancies (indicated by a red house in the map results).

3. 2012 Child Care Enrolments
As we all know, child care is very difficult to find, so don't miss out on your child's care for next year by forgetting to get those forms in because there is a waiting list of parents behind you ready and waiting to take your spot.

Most child care facilities will have already sent out notes to parents advising of Enrolments or Re-enrolments for 2012, so if you have not yet received anything, it's worth asking in case it's been lost in transit and if all else fails read our tips on what to do when you can't find the child care you hoped to.

4. Book your Christmas babysitter before they are all booked up!
Don't miss out on your Christmas office party or social occasion because you don't have babysitting or get let down by the neighbour's daughter when she gets a better offer!

Babysitters are in huge demand at this time of the year and get booked up early over the festive season. With the silly season also brings silly prices too so be prepared to pay more than the usual rates.

Some babysitters can charge double for New Year's Eve or Christmas key dates, though if you book through an agency you should be able to avoid this (usually it's the same booking fee plus an additional fixed rate on top) and ensure that the babysitter you book is reliable and will show up…

Click here to book a babysitter through our easy online booking service which only uses reputable agencies with police checked, vetted and referenced, professional babysitters.