Chikd care costs in East Sydney

[Lubinoglan]

I'm going to be a first time mum and have just moved to Bondi, Sydney. I'm trying to find out what the cheapest childcare options are for when my child arrives. Some of the care centres costs $170 per day (I'll need to put my child in care after 3months to get back to work).
Does anyone know any good cheap alternatives? Can you recommend anyone? This is a surprise pregnancy so I'm not prepared like I should be.
Thank you in advance!

[ICJump]

You might want to ask to move this to living overseas section

[TheAussieProject]

You might be able to apply for child care rebate or benefits. Have a look here: www.mychild.gov.au/childcare-information/benefit .
The cheapest option would be an au pair, but then 3 month is a very young baby. Otherwise, try joining a mother-baby group and consider a shared nanny.

[GrinAndTonic]

I'm a bit late and you may have your answers but $170/day is shocking even by Sydney standards.
Depending on how much you earn depends on how much your rebate is.
If you get no rebate then I'd look at getting a nanny.

[Cornedbeefpie]

Check your local Council child care services, long day care and family day care. Cheaper than private services and your child care rebate and child care benefit (CCR CCB) can be deduced from your fees. Make sure you contact Centrelink as soon as your baby is born to request assessment for rebates. You should be entitled to CCR as you will be returning to work. Don't use an au pair for a newborn. If you're on a 457 you won't be eligible for any benefits of course.

www.waverley.nsw.gov.au/community/children_youth_and_family_support/Children_and_families/long_day_care

Good luck and congratulations.

[Bisghetti]

That does seem very expensive indeed even for Sydney. We attend an amazing centre that's in the inner west and costs $117/day. As others have said, child care rebate reduces the fees significantly. You can also try family daycare (which is what childminders are called in Australia). That tends to be less expensive. Be aware that it can be tricky finding a spot other than at the start of the year (when the older children move to school, allowing the younger children to move up). If you struggle to find a space one option might be a nanny for the first few months and then childcare.