Understanding Aspire's Childcare & Kindergarten Fees
Investing in Early Years: Nursery & Toddler Fees
At Aspire, we provide a high-quality long-day care service tailored to meet families' needs. Our nursery program and toddler program fees are structured at a daily rate, reflecting our commitment to offering full-day care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 3-years-old. This means the cost of childcare per day at Aspire is designed to cover all aspects of your child’s care, including meals, activities, and educational programs, ensuring a seamless experience for families.
We understand that childcare costs are an important consideration for parents, and our transparent approach to daycare fees ensures there are no hidden charges.
While fees may vary depending on the Aspire centre your child attends, we encourage families to enquire directly about their preferred location to receive a customised per-day quote. By offering an all-inclusive fee structure, Aspire makes managing the cost of childcare straightforward, allowing families to focus on their child’s development in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Supporting School Readiness: Kindergarten Fees
At Aspire, our 3-year-old kindergarten and 4-year-old kindergarten programs are offered within a long day care format, combining the flexibility of full-day care with the benefits of high-quality early education. We are proud to participate in Victoria’s funded kindergarten program, which allows families to access up to 15 hours of FREE kinder each week.
Here’s how kindergarten fees are calculated:
- The 15 hours of free kinder are deducted from your overall care hours.
- For any additional care beyond the funded kinder hours, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is applied to significantly reduce the cost.
- Families then pay only the remaining gap fee, ensuring affordable and flexible care.
Kinder Funding Guide
Maximise Your Childcare Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government initiative designed to assist families with the cost of childcare, making quality early learning and care more accessible. Eligibility for CCS depends on factors such as household income, activity level, and the type of care being accessed.
At Aspire, subsidies are paid directly to us, and we pass them on to you as a fee reduction. This means you only need to pay the difference between the subsidy and the childcare fees charged, ensuring a seamless and straightforward process for managing your daycare costs.
To estimate your subsidy, try our Aspire CCS Calculator. For more detailed information about CCS eligibility and how to apply, read our Childcare Subsidy Guide.
Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Centre-Specific Fees – Enquire with Your Preferred Location
It’s important to note that childcare fees can vary depending on the Aspire centre your child attends. We encourage families to contact their preferred Aspire Childcare Centre to receive a customised quote tailored to their needs.
With this structure, Aspire ensures that families can benefit from both the free kindergarten Victoria offers and the flexibility of long day care services, making it easier to balance early education and care with your family’s busy schedule.
Flexible Options and Assistance to Suit Your Family
At Aspire, we understand that every family’s situation is unique, and we strive to provide flexible options and support to meet your needs.
Payment Plans:
For families experiencing financial hardship or special circumstances, we offer tailored payment plans to help manage childcare costs.
If you’re looking for assistance or want to learn more about the support Aspire can offer, we encourage you to speak with one of our friendly team members. They can guide you through available options and help find a solution that works best for your family.
Enrolment & Admin Fees Explained
To secure your child’s position at Aspire, families are required to pay a $100 non-refundable booking fee. This enrolment admin fee helps cover the administrative costs associated with confirming your child’s place at the centre. The $100 booking fee is processed within 48 hours of enrolment completion.
Please note that this fee is non-refundable, as it ensures your child’s spot at the centre and supports the smooth management of enrolments.
Terms and Conditions
Fee Payment Schedule:
- Childcare fees are charged weekly on Thursdays via Pay Choice from your nominated bank account.
- All daycare fees must be paid one week in advance at all times.
- Invoices detailing the cost of childcare per day for the upcoming week are issued weekly on Wednesdays.
Arrears Policy:
Any arrears payments will be automatically deducted by COB each Friday for the current week to cover outstanding childcare costs. This deduction includes payments for additional days, changes to CCS (Child Care Subsidy), and the GAP fee.
Late Payment Policy:
Families are responsible for absorbing all administration and debt collection fees incurred due to late payments of their daycare fees. The nominated primary account contact will be notified of any negative balance and required to promptly settle the account to maintain their booking and avoid accruing further childcare costs.
Support for Families in Challenging Times:
We understand that financial difficulties can happen, and we are here to support you. If you are facing challenges with your childcare fees or managing the cost of childcare per day, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Centre Manager. Together, we can explore a payment plan or other options to ensure your child continues to receive the care they need. Your family’s well-being is important to us, and we will do our best to help you manage your daycare costs during difficult times.
What’s Included in Your Fees
At Aspire, your child’s fees cover more than just care – they include nutritious meals prepared by centre chefs, nappies and wipes, engaging learning programs, and access to a team of passionate, qualified educators. We’ve thoughtfully included everything needed to support your child’s wellbeing, development, and daily comfort.
Healthy meals & snacks
Incursions & excursions
Nappies, bottles & wipes
Sunscreen
Play-based learning environments
Qualified teachers
School readiness pathways
In-centre celebrations
Fee and Pricing FAQ's
How is the cost of childcare calculated?
The cost of childcare at our long day care centre is calculated per day. If you are eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), it will be applied to reduce your childcare fees. The final daycare cost you pay depends on your eligibility and subsidy percentage.
Do I pay for absent days?
Yes, families are required to pay for all absent days. However, if you receive the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), it can help cover up to 42 allowable absence days per child each financial year. During these 42 days, you’ll only need to pay the gap fee. After the 42 days are used, CCS will only apply to approved absences, and you will be responsible for the full childcare fees for any additional absences.
If you have questions or need clarification about your daycare costs or the cost of childcare, please reach out to us for more information. We’re here to help ensure your experience with managing childcare costs is as smooth as possible.
Do I pay for public holidays ?
Public holidays are charged at the normal daily fee. Families will be eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for public holidays if they have not exceeded allowable yearly absences.
What payments plans do you offer?
We understand that managing childcare fees and daycare costs can sometimes be challenging. In cases of special circumstances or financial hardship, we may be able to arrange a payment plan to help ease the burden of childcare costs.
If you are experiencing difficulties, we encourage you to reach out to us. While payment plans are assessed on a case-by-case basis, our priority is supporting the families and children in our care wherever possible.
What if I make a late payment?
We understand that sometimes delays happen. While there are no late fees charged for delayed payments, we will send friendly reminders and follow up with you to ensure that your childcare fees are up to date. We’re here to support you and are happy to assist if you have any questions or concerns regarding your payments.
How do you take payments?
Childcare fees are charged weekly on Thursdays via Pay Choice from your nominated bank account. Daycare fees must be paid one week in advance to ensure your child’s continued care.
