The CCC i personally use recently raised their daily fee from...

The CCC i personally use recently raised their daily fee from $105 to $110. Keeping in mind this is in WA where fees seem comparatively lower, the move has still kept them in line with other local centres but does smack a little of gouging the increased rebate.

I am not in a high rebate category though i do still get a very generous handout from the government at 65% (IMHO). This is largely due to my wife working very little and our only using two days a week.

Personally i don't begrudge the centre charging me a day rate, my choice is to have a child care spot available to my son on that day and how long i use it for is also my choice. The centre must lock away my place in terms of room and staff capacity and there must be a charge for that benefit i am receiving (the certainty). I see the logical extension of hourly blocks being a highly casualised and disengaged workforce that ultimately leads to a reduction in centre quality due to either:
- low staff motivation
- high staff turnover, or
- a combination of the above

We must never forget this is an industry, much like private education, that is driven by good quality people and centres. Confidence around funding levels is needed for private businesses to provide both.

I think if the centres can explain to parents why they charge a day rate and not in hourly blocks then people will understand.