Start Strong (NSW Kindergarten) Funding Surplus Information & FAQ

This document is designed to assist you with information on Start Strong (NSW Kindergarten) Funding Surplus amounts you may have for children at your centre. For questions or queries regarding the Start Strong Fee Relief scheme, please refer to the New South Wales Government Education Department page for the 2024 Start Strong for Long Day Care Program Guidelines.

Start Strong Surplus Funds

As per the 2024 Start Strong for Long Day Care Program Guidelines:

Where a family’s gap fees have been reduced to zero in a regular billing period, the remaining fee relief is considered a surplus (Surplus Funds). The approved provider must first spend Surplus Funds to cover any additional charges imposed on the eligible child, such as levies.

Remaining Surplus Funds from the 4YO+ Fee Relief Payment may then be used to reduce the fees for children that are at least 4 years old on, or before, 31 July 2024 (the child’s birthdate must be on, or before, 31 July 2020) at the discretion of the service, for example children of families with greatest need.

Remaining Surplus Funds from the 3YO Fee Relief Trial Payment may then be used to reduce the fees for children that are 3 years old and not yet 4 years old on, or before 31 July in 2024 (the child’s birthdate must be on, or between, 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021) at the discretion of the service, for example children of families with greatest need.

Remaining Surplus Funds may be used to further reduce the fees for children already accessing fee relief at the services or to reduce the fees for children whose families did not nominate the service on the declaration and consent form. Families of children whose fees are reduced using remaining Surplus Funds must have submitted a declaration and consent form.

The approved provider must advise families that the fee reduction funded by remaining Surplus Funds is provided under exceptional circumstances. The approved provider must demonstrate and communicate fee reduction funded by Surplus Funds to families through a separate line item on regular statements. The approved provider must track the usage of Surplus Funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding Start Strong Surplus Funds

This section will run through any Frequently Asked Questions in regards to the Start Strong New South Wales Kindergarten Fee Relief Funding Surplus.

Q: Why is my fee_relief_surplus_applied_to_child column all $0.00?
A: We draw this information from the application of the 'NSW Government Surplus Fee Relief Subsidy' transaction on the child's account. If surplus amounts have not been applied to the child using the 'NSW Government Surplus Fee Relief Subsidy' transaction, this total will be $0.00. 

Q: What is a surplus amount and how do I apply it to the children's accounts?

A: Where a family’s gap fees have been reduced to zero in a regular billing period, the remaining fee relief is considered a surplus (Surplus Funds). This is outlined within the 2024 Start Strong For Long Day Care Program Guidelines.

Surplus amounts can be applied to the children's accounts at the Centre's discretion and in alignment with the Start Strong guidelines.

Example for calculating a 4YO+ surplus amount for a week:
$2110 annual flat fee per child
Program operates in the centre for 52 weeks
$2110 / 52 weeks = $40.58 per week

Compare the child's potential weekly payment of $40.58 against the NSW Government Fee Relief Subsidy transaction that was created for them. This can be less than the $40.58 if the amount brings their gap to zero.

The transaction is $30.48 to bring the child's out of pocket to $0.00 for the week
This leaves a surplus of $10.10

Example for calculating a 3YO surplus amount for a week:
$500 annual flat fee per child
Program operates in the centre for 52 weeks
$500 / 52 weeks = $9.62 per week

Compare the child's potential weekly payment of $9.62 against the NSW Government Fee Relief subsidy transaction that was created for them. This can be less that the $9.62 if the amount brings their gap to zero.

The transaction is $7.20 to bring the child's out of pocket to $0.00 for the week.
This leaves a surplus of $2.42