If a family chooses to keep their child at home can services still waive the gap fee?

No. Services can only waive the gap fee for the reasons outlined in the Australian Government website – COVID-19 information for the early childhood education and care sector – dese.gov.au

If a family chooses to keep their child at home they may use their allowable absences, but must pay a gap fee to the service.

Details on how absences work and when to claim are outlined in the Australian Government’s website – Absences from child care – Department for Education, Children and Young People, Skills and Employment, Australian Government (dese.gov.au)

Updated 2 February 2022