Maximum to be claimed

There are no restrictions on the number of days or hours a certificated playgroup can operate during a week. However, no child may attend for more than 4 hours per day, and no playgroup may claim funding for more than 4 hours per day for any child attending.

Playgroups can be funded for a maximum average of 25 children between birth and 6 years of age for each playgroup session (when averaged over the 10-week period).

Calculating playgroup funding

Playgroup operational funding is calculated using the formula below:

The funding rate X the average number of children attending X the hours per week the group operates X weeks of operation over the 6-month period.

Example

Happy Days Playgroup has an average of 8 children and operates 20 hours per week. The playgroup expects to operate for 19 weeks over this 6-month period.

They could claim: $1.83 x 8 x 20 x 19 = $5,563.20.

Statutory holidays

Playgroup operational funding can only be claimed for statutory holidays if the playgroup was operating on that day and children attended.

Notional roll

Where a playgroup has an average number of children attending that is greater than zero but less than 5, this will be rounded up to 5.