Buying resources

Question

Im curious to know where do you all draw the line at buying things for your centre???????????? We were recently asked (told?) to go out shopping and buy a range of things to 'make the centre more presentable' ... I asked if we would be reimbursed (the trainee hasn't been reimbursed from purchases made 2 months ago) and the response ... well yes, but you do know you can claim it on your tax!!!!!!! I most certainly do not mind buying nice things that I see and intend to keep and use for myself (ie if I move centres Ill take these with me) but I don't think that staff should be subsiding the set up of a centre and at best spending their weekends driving around 'shopping'. Im interested to hear your opinions?

fchaudari76 · Answer

I buy certain resources for my room if I come across something, but yes they leave with me when I move centres.

Centres should not expect staff to do any major buying of resources (in my opinion) ... my last centre we had $50/mnth to get bits and pieces but the major spending was done directly through the centre.

I think we have enough to do without having to spend weekends in shops and driving around finding things for the centre!!

haveachat · Answer

Being asked to purchase items for centres out of your own money is totally unaceptable. We don't get paid anywhere near enough to be spending money on items that the owners should be purchasing. If you do purchase items make sure you take them with you when you leave as they belong to you.

LindyT · Answer

You should consult your Accountant as you should be able to claim "Work Related" expenses.

I'd think things you buy for your Center/Service would be Tax deductible.

smith76 · Answer

Thats pretty rude to be asked to buy resources for your centre without being reimbursed. I bought display books for my child profiles that are going to be given to the parents at the end of the year i asked the parents for a donation 1.50 for the folders. Most of the stuff i buy for my room stays with me and will leave with me. Anything i buy including cooking stuff for work i claim as work expenses.

hotpies2006 · Answer

i have spent heaps of money over the years buying resources and claim it all back on tax BUT you never get it all back around 10 percent which is not much or maybe i need a better accountant, i do take all the things i have bought with me,

JacksonBrowne · Answer

Thanks for your responses everyone ... I know that the trainee purchased items around 8 weeks ago and gave the receipts to the Director and was never given a reimbursment form. I asked for one the first day back at work after the weekend and wasn't given one, by chance the accounts manager rang and I asked her what I should do, she emailed me the form, I completed it, it is sitting on the Directors desk!!! ... Im not sure if it has been emailed/faxed thru to head office yet so Ill wait to see if I get reimbursed this pay, its around $200 worth ..... I completely understand that we can claim our own purchases on our tax. I objected to the idea that the centre is poorly resourced and a person from head office told us that we should purchase things for the centre in order to make the centre look better .... Im talking about paint, paper, chalkboards, paint easels, wind chimes, sleeptime music  things we could expect as standard inclusions ... Im not talking about extras that you might like to purchase that you might not ordinarily find in a child care centre..... I find it odd.

shmollie_hollie · Answer

That is very rude of them to just expect you to pay for it. For me i find i end up buying the kids things or stuff for my room when im really happy at work, cos i feel like treating myself and the children, so this stuff I do pay for out of my pocket and dont ask for money from work, and it most definitly goes with me when i leave. But if they ever asked me to purchase anything I would insist on having access to a company credit card or to be reimbursed straight away. I bought a change table for my room a week ago which im still waiting to be reimbursed on, so hopefully that happens soon. I think you should talk to your director/centre manager about your concerns. Tax is a tricky situation, ive had tax accountants that have refused to give me money back on every reciept i took in because they didnt believe they were for work, so i personally wouldnt rely on  getting the money back from tax. Good luck!

Butters · Answer

I am completely baffled that so many carer's and centre's believe/expect that we should purchase resources. I have accepted a job as a room leader in a pre-school room of a centre that is licensed to have 102 children and is part of a larger company. While doing a few casual shifts before my official start date I have found out that basics such as cardboard, pencils and glue are as scarce as hens teeth and reciepts have not been reimbursed when proffered (plus EYLF is non-existant). Do I bite the bullet for 3 month probation period and purchase resources? Or try and point out that they are not meeting regulations by being very under resourced making it very difficult to carry out an education program?

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