Provider debt

Debts should be recovered from the provider, when a debt has arisen from one of the following circumstances:

• child leaves the centre permanently - the childcare centre knowing the child has left cannot accept the money in good faith
• childcare centre is closed - centres may close during school holiday periods. This excludes statutory holidays
• caregiver is unavailable - for home based care providers there are occasions when the caregiver cannot provide childcare
• as a result of Twenty hours Early Childhood Education being paid to the centre for hours for which they also receive Childcare Subsidy

Note it is important that clear notes are put on CMS to show how the debt was created and who is responsible for the refund.