For Families

How to Enrol

To enrol your child/children here’s what you need to do:

  • Login to Kidsoft Parent Portal. Click on Register Now to create a waitlist.
  • Please be aware that if your child has a medical condition management plan from their doctor, they may not be able to start until you have had a meeting with our Service Manager. At this meeting, we may need you to provide us with additional information so we can safely care for your child.
  • Once you have submitted your enrolment, you can make a Permanent Booking.
  • The next time you are in your service, you will need to sign the hard copy the service holds.

Important: If you believe you already have a booking and have completed an updated enrolment form, please check with your service regarding your booking status.

Please contact your local Fun Squad service to enrol.

FAQs for Families

What time does Fun Squad open and close?

Operational hours vary for each service.  Find your service to view the hours of operation.   Operational hours are based on the needs of the community. Should you require additional hours and there is a need within the community for additional hours please speak with the Service Manager.

Do I have to book my children in everyday, can I just use one or two days?

There are two types of bookings:

Permanent bookings – these are set days you require every week. These can be from one day to five days and these particular days will be held permanently for you until you change your booking through a formal booking form.

Casual bookings – PCYC Queensland appreciates that families have commitments that change daily or weekly and we allow the flexibility to book in your children at short notice. Some services may be on ratio or near licence capacity and may not be able to accommodate all bookings or changes. You will need to confirm with your service to ensure a place is available.

Discover how to manage your bookings in Kidsoft Parent Portal Tip Sheet.

How much notice do I need to cancel my bookings?

Bookings changed or cancelled with 7 days notice incur no cost for the session. Sessions cancelled less than 7 days in advance incur the session charge.

How much does Fun Squad cost?
  • Each service is unique and the fees reflect the services that can be offered.  Please locate your service to view the fees.
  • Bookings are charged as a session, whether you use one or three hours of care you will be charged for the full session.
  • Fees will vary based on days of attendance and Child Care Subsidy (CCS) that will be applied to your account. The fees are based on a single booking.
  • Price does not include additional fees set by the direct debit provider which are applicable to all direct debits. Minimum fee per payment transaction is $0.50.
How is my account managed?

Your statement will be emailed to you weekly. Our preferred method of payment is direct debit, this is integrated into Kidsoft our software program. Direct debit is a secure transaction that is directly debited from your account into ours.

What food is provided?
  • We provide a healthy breakfast and afternoon snack which will always include fruit and vegetables. Food is selected with consideration to cultural preferences, dietary requirements and meal plans for specific children.
  • Children are educated on healthy choices and often participate in cooking experiences, food preparation and cleaning up. Where possible the services like to have a garden and grow herbs and vegetables to contribute to the menu.
  • PCYC Queensland services meet national food safety standards and guidelines. The services refer to the PANOSH framework and Smart Choices – the Healthy Food and Drink Strategy for Queensland Schools when preparing our menus.
  • If your child requires a specialised meal plan please talk with the service manager upon enrolment.
Can the service provide care for my child with additional needs?

Children who require individualised support are required to meet with the Service Manager before the child can attend. Planning for a child with individual needs requires a tailored plan on how best to support your child in our service. The service may need to seek specialist and support workers (where required) to provide quality care for your child, the service and family.

How old does my child have to be to attend Fun Squad?

Children must be in Primary school to attend PCYC Queensland Fun Squad services. This means that your child must be enrolled or registered at a school and attends or will attend in the current calendar year. Children commencing Prep can attend the service from the 1st January in the year the child is enrolled to attend Prep.

I am separated from my partner; can we have separate accounts for my child?

YES. We use Kidsoft as our software package which allow separate bookings, contact details and billing for separate parents.

How do you help prepare children for Fun Squad?

As one of the state’s largest Outside School Hours Fun providers, we believe there are several key elements involved in a successful transition in helping children and parents get ready for Prep and outside school hours fun, read more here.

Take use of the Child Care Subsidy

Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is paid directly to providers to reduce the fees you pay. The amount you receive is based on your specific circumstances. If you have queries about your entitlements, you can check with your Centrelink online account through myGov or contact Centrelink directly. You may be eligible to claim Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) if you meet the criteria for child wellbeing (families who require practical help to support their children’s safety and wellbeing), grandparent subsidy, transition to work subsidy or temporary financial hardship.

Graph showing child care subsidy amount to family incomeYou will need to provide PCYC with the following information:

  • Your Customer Reference Number (CRN – issued to you by the Family Assistance Office)
  • Your child’s CRN
  • Your date of birth (CRN Holder)
  • Your child’s date of birth

The CRN Holder will then be notified of the enrolment notice (accessed via Centrelink, express mobile app or via myGov) where you can confirm, dispute or reject the enrolment. Once the enrolment is confirmed, entitlements can be calculated, until subsidies are applied to the account you are liable for the full fee.

Families are only entitled to CCS payments on 42 absence days per child, per financial year (additional absences may be granted by the Australian Government). In shared care arrangements, the allocation of 42 absences per financial year relates to the child, not each individual claimant. Families are not entitled to CCS until the first day the child physically attends the service and are only entitled to the last day the child physically attends the service. Non attendance on a first or last day of care will result in the full fee being charged for that session.

An enrolment will automatically cease for CCS where a child does not attend a session of care for 14 continuous weeks. If the last day was an absence, CCS will automatically withdraw the CCS paid to the service (this may occur after 14 weeks). If your child does not attend a session of care in 26 weeks you will no longer be eligible for CCS. You should always review your care arrangements after an extended break between sessions of care, to ensure it is up to date and both parties continue to agree on the terms of the arrangement.

When enrolling in a PCYC service you will need to select the type of arrangement you want to enter into:

  • Complying Written Arrangement: Able to have CCS applied to account where eligible and liable for gap fee
  • Relevant Arrangement: Liable for full fees – no Child Care Subsidy or Additional Child Care Subsidy payable
  • Arrangement with an Organisation (third party)*: Liable for fees, no Child Care Subsidy or Additional Child Care Subsidy payable for the part of the fees for which the organisation is liable. *Only individuals can be eligible for these subsidies.

Useful Documents

Family Information Handbook
Medical Conditions Policy
Educational Program & Practice Policy
My Time Our Place
Child Care Subsidy Information
Kidsoft Parent Portal Tip Sheet

Further information on Education and Care Services National Regulations and National Law is also available on the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority Website.