Changing the subject slightly but it is linked with kids.

Here in the UK when a child turns 3yrs old they are entitled to government funding for some of their nursery sessions. My son is starting nursery next week (in the UK) as he's 2yrs 9mnths - I 'll have to pay fully for his two sessions a week. He'll be 3yrs this Jan. So here in the UK I wouldn't have to pay the full fees with effect from the Easter Term.

We are arriving in Melbourne early Feb & was wondering how it works. I presume we'll have to pay for any nursery fees until he starts state school. Is this the case?

ALSO, Any one currently living in Mount Eliza?

I know for certain that none of the 3 year old 'kinders' in our town receive government funding....so I think this may be at least Victoria wide. We pay about $88 per term for my 3 year old and he goes for 2.5hrs a week. Some places will take them for a couple of mornings but generally they don't start kinder properly until the year after. My son will start 4 year old kinder in January and he'll be doing three mornings (12 hrs total) and for that we will be paying $135 per term. I think that is subsidised.

The system here seems VERY different to the UK.

Well I must be a bad mother too I also remember being given the Red Books (for the youngest two anyway) but wasnt very good on getting them updated! and as you say, the Nurse or Doctor didnt ask for them.

We are leaving Scotland for Oz in just over two weeks time, first to spend a month in Gold Coast & Sydney for my partners company induction and then to Melbourne to take up his permanent position. Not sure what area we are going to settle in yet, we have two school age children, one girl aged 9, one boy aged 12.

Thanks everyone, this info was very useful as I remember reading somewhere about immunisation certificates for the kids - looks like I'll have to get a print out from the doctor

J.

Both of our sons, Jack 4 and Todd 6 months, go to kindy/day care. I thought everyone (subject to earnings limits) got a discounted rate for childcare.
As we both work we are eligible for an hourly discount on up to 50 hours per week. Our local kindy has standard days of 12 hours which you pay regardless of how long they stay. The rate is around $45/day but with childcare allowances we only pay around $60 a week for Jack 4days and about the same for Todd 3 days.
See www.familyassist.gov.au for all the details about childcare allowances (& family tax benefit). We found the government much more supportive we used to pay #40/day in UK
Annie