Your first childcare invoice, explained

Your first invoice from us can look different from what you expected. The subsidy may not be there yet, a discount may change the daily fee, and NSW fee relief may appear as a separate amount. This guide explains each part, so you know what you are looking at and what to do if something looks wrong.

When invoices arrive and how to pay

We send invoices once a month through OWNA, the parent app. When a new invoice is ready, OWNA emails you a link to it, and you can also see it in the app.

Please pay by BPAY, using the reference number on your invoice, by the due date shown. Each family has its own reference number, so we can match your payment to your account. We don't offer direct debit.

Why the subsidy might be missing

Before your child starts, the centre sends your enrolment to Centrelink. You then need to confirm it in your myGov account.

Until you confirm it, no Child Care Subsidy (CCS) can be paid, so your invoice shows the full daily fee. This is the most common reason a first invoice looks high.

What to check:

• Have you claimed CCS? If not, start your claim in myGov. Our guide to claiming the Child Care Subsidy walks through it.
• Have you given us your CRNs? We need the Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) for you and for your child before we can send the enrolment to Centrelink. If your claim is still being processed, send the CRNs to your centre director as soon as you receive them.
• Have you confirmed the enrolment? Our step-by-step guide to confirming your enrolment in Centrelink shows where to find it in myGov.
• Do the details look right? If the days or fees in myGov do not match what you agreed with us, do not confirm. Contact your centre director and we will send a corrected enrolment.

Once the subsidy comes through, any amount you paid above your share is credited to your next invoice.

How the new-family discount shows

New families get a discount on the first 4 weeks of care:

• Normanhurst: 50% off the first 4 weeks
• Roseville, St Ives Chase and West Ryde: 25% off the first 4 weeks

To get the offer, enrol by 31 December 2026 and start by 28 February 2027.

The discount is taken off the daily fee before the Child Care Subsidy is worked out, so your invoice shows a lower daily fee for those 4 weeks, with the subsidy calculated on that lower fee. For example, a $180 day at Normanhurst shows as $90 before CCS.

The discount covers your child's permanent booked days during the first 4 weeks, including absent days and public holidays in that time. It does not cover casual or extra days. The full terms are on each centre's offer page: Normanhurst, Roseville, St Ives Chase and West Ryde.

NSW fee relief for 3 and 4 year olds

The NSW Government gives extra fee relief to children aged 3 and over at long day care centres. All four of our centres take part.

In 2026 (Start Strong for Long Day Care)

• $1,783 a year for children who are 4 on or before 31 July 2026 (born on or before 31 July 2022)
• $423 a year for 3 year olds born between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023

(2026 Start Strong for Long Day Care program guidelines, sections 6.5 and 7.5)

From 1 January 2027 (Fee Relief for Long Day Care)

The program has a new name from 1 January 2027, and the amounts go up a little:

• $1,826 a year for children born on or before 31 July 2023
• $434 a year for 3 year olds born between 1 August 2023 and 31 July 2024

Fee relief starts from your child's enrolment date in 2027, so there is no need to wait for a birthday. You will need to sign a short declaration and consent form for each eligible child, and we will send it to you. (2027 Fee Relief for Long Day Care program guidelines)

How it shows on your invoice

Fee relief is applied every week, after the Child Care Subsidy. The yearly amount is split evenly across the weeks the centre is open, so you see a small reduction each week. A child can get fee relief at only one service at a time. If your child also goes to another centre, let your director know which one should apply it.

Absences, public holidays and the Christmas closure

Fees are charged for all enrolled days, including public holidays and days your child is absent.

The Child Care Subsidy still applies on these days, up to 42 absence days per child each financial year, and this includes public holidays (Services Australia). Our guide Do you pay for absent days at daycare? explains the 42 days in more detail.

Christmas closure. No fees are charged while the centres are closed over Christmas and New Year. The last day in 2026 is Tuesday 22 December 2026. Normanhurst, St Ives Chase and West Ryde reopen on Wednesday 6 January 2027, and Roseville reopens on Monday 11 January 2027.

Extended holidays. If your family is going away for a longer time, we can hold your child's place at 50% of the normal daily fee. Please give at least 4 weeks' written notice. The holiday rate is for one continuous period away, not single days, and the Child Care Subsidy still applies.

Credits on your invoice

You may see a credit on your invoice for a few reasons:

• The subsidy came through late. Once your enrolment is confirmed and CCS is paid, any amount you paid above your share is credited to your next invoice.
• Your holding deposit. At Normanhurst and Roseville, the $500 holding deposit is taken off your final invoice when your child leaves.

A credit stays on your account and reduces the amount you pay on the next invoice.

Who to contact

• Invoices and payments: head office, at admin@eikoh.nsw.edu.au or 02 9487 5174.
• Days, bookings and enrolment: your centre director, by phone, email or the online form:
  • Normanhurst: 02 9487 5455, director@normanhurstldc.nsw.edu.au
  • Roseville: 02 9416 3002, director@rosevillekindy.nsw.edu.au
  • St Ives Chase: 02 9449 8829, director@stiveschase.nsw.edu.au
  • West Ryde: 02 9858 5333, director@westrydeldc.nsw.edu.au

You can also send a message through our online contact form and we will pass it to the right person.