[tel2]

Out of curiousity what would be the cost (privately) if you were to get a full time aid for your child in primary school ?

[madmother]

Spotted!

Yes, we funded an aide for most of primary school. I'm running madly due to school drop off so sorry if abrupt.
* Cost varies from state to state - we are in Qld.
* The principal of the school can refuse to allow you to do it. Up here, the new "One School" stuff has made most very reluctant to agree due to the massive increase in admin/paperwork for the office.
* It has to be via the education department - you are not allowed to privately hire someone.
* The aide is interviewed and appointed by the school. You have no input nor say (we were lucky - the principal discussed it with us during times of employment, and we did not change aides after he retired. The new principal would have willingly shafted us and the aide, but she had been warned I WOULD have taken legal action as the precedent/agreement was in place prior to her appointment).
* The cost is not only the hourly rate (which is based on experience, training, etc and varies) but also up here 1/3 of the "on" costs - sick leave, long service leave, annual leave, work cover).

We ceased funding early Grade 7 (still primary here in Qld). But we had reduced hours over the years as well.

In the first years - Grades 1 and 2 - we funded 21 hours a week, good ole Qld Ed allocated him 4 hours. This for a kid who under the old ascertainment system was level 5 - the second most severe classification you could get!

It cost us around $24,000 a year if memory seves me right (it is nearly 7 years ago).

It would be a lot higher now, probably closer to $30 - 35,000.

Please, feel free to pm me any questions you may have. Or ask here if you like.