Policies & Procedures EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES FEES EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES POLICY Purpose Statement The purpose of this policy is to ensure all educators, parents and guardians are aware of the exceptional circumstances considered by Windermere Early Childhood Education and Care Services for families at risk, vulnerable or experiencing temporary financial hardship. This policy is in direct relation to the payment of fees for Early Childhood Education and Care Services home based care and should be read in conjunction with the Fees Policy.
Scope This policy applies to all families, parents and guardians using the services of Windermere home based services (family day care and in home care).
Policy Statement WINDERMERE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES PROMOTES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUALITY AND FAIRNESS AND, AS SUCH, WILL CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR FEE REDUCTIONSFOR FAMILIES AT RISK OR FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING TEMPORARY FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
Procedures - General 1. The non-standard care hourly rate is 17.5% of the standard hourly rate. This amount is in alignment with the Children’s Services Award 2010. As standard rates differ for each educator, the actual non-standard rate will also differ for each educator. 2. Families who are in vulnerable situations and/or have children at risk, or those more likely to require extended care outside of standard hours sometimes also experience financial hardship and find the additional fee of 17.5% per hour challenging to meet and pay. 3. S uch families using more than 10 non-standard hours of care per week can make a request in writing to Windermere Early Childhood Education and Care Services to have the non-standard care percentage reduced or waived. Documented evidence of the exceptional circumstance or financial hardship must be provided. 4. As an educator’s income is directly affected by reducing or waiving a non-standard charge, the educator in question will be consulted before making any decisions. 5. Where required, families will be contacted by telephone to discuss the request to reduce or waive the nonstandard charge. Families and educators will both be advised in writing of the outcome of any request. As family circumstances can change, a review period will be agreed upon and will not exceed six months.
QA 7.03 Early Childhood Education and Care Services Fee Policy
Sign-off date: June 2015
Review date: June 2016
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Procedures - Travel Kilometres 1. Windermere has introduced a per kilometre rate for families who require the educator to transport children to and/ or from preschool and school. 2. Windermere acknowledges that due to the location of some educators and the vicinity of educational programs, extended travel may be required for some families. Educators can, during their annual negotiation of rates and conditions, request to cap travel kilometres. 3. T ravel kilometres can be capped at any amount requested by the educator, however the capped kilometres must apply to all families using travel with that educator. 4. Requests to cap travel outside of the annual negotiation period must be made in writing to: Manager Early Childhood Education and Care Services Windermere 48 Webb Street Narre Warren, Victoria, 3805
Relevant Legislation/Standards • National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care Services including:
• Education and Care Services National Law 2011
• Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
• Family Assistance Law
Related Policies & Links • Windermere’s Policy and Procedure Manual:
• Section 4 Financial Management, Fees Policy
• ECECS Policy and Procedure Manual:
• EC 4.02 Early Childhood Education and Care Services Fee Policy
QA 7.03 Early Childhood Education and Care Services Fee Policy
Sign-off date: June 2015
Review date: June 2016
Page 2 ABC1234