How to Use the CCSChecker Widget

A practical guide for childcare centres.

Quick Setup (3 Minutes)

1. Go to the Centre Setup page.
2. Enter your centre details (name, state, service type).
3. Define your programs — each with a name, age group, and session pricing.
4. Optionally configure kindergarten funding per program.
5. Review and click Publish.
6. Paste the embed code into your website.

That's it. The widget is live.

Overview

The CCSChecker White Label widget allows your centre to show families an estimated weekly out-of-pocket cost directly on your website.

It uses publicly available Child Care Subsidy (CCS) settings and your configured programs and fees to calculate a transparent estimate.

This guide explains:

• How to set up your programs
• How kindergarten funding works per program
• How to publish changes
• How to install the widget
• What families will see
• Common questions

Step 1 — Define Your Programs

In your Centre Dashboard, create one program for each room or care type you offer. For each program:

• Program name — e.g. "Nursery", "Preschool Room", "After School Care"
• Age group — determines which CCS hourly cap applies (0–2, 3–5 not yet in school, 5–12 school age, 13+)
• CCS age category — auto-set from age group but can be overridden if needed
• Sessions — define one or more session types, each with a label (e.g. "Full day", "Short day"), hours and price

The widget calculates the hourly rate automatically from each session's price and hours. You'll see this displayed under each session as confirmation:

Hourly rate for CCS comparison: $13.00/hr

Tip: Make sure your session hours reflect the hours charged per day. The hourly rate is what gets compared against the CCS hourly cap.

Step 2 — Configure Kindergarten Funding (Optional)

If a program applies kindergarten funding as a fee reduction:

1. Select an age group other than 0–2 (kindergarten funding is not available for the 0–2 age group)
2. Enable "Kindergarten funding applies to this program"
3. Select the funding model:
   • Fixed weekly reduction — a flat dollar amount deducted weekly
   • Funded hours × rate — hours funded per week multiplied by a dollar value per hour
4. Enter the amounts

For the weekly reduction model, enter the average weekly fee reduction applied to eligible children.

Important:

• Kindergarten funding is applied after CCS
• CCSChecker does not assess eligibility rules
• Centres are responsible for ensuring funding configuration reflects their service
• Incorrect configuration may result in inaccurate family estimates
• The dashboard preview shows how this will appear to families

Step 3 — Preview Your Widget

Before publishing:

• Click Preview Live to see your current public version
• Click Preview Draft (if available) to review unpublished changes

Confirm:

• Fee accuracy across all programs
• Kindergarten configuration
• Session labels and pricing
• Hourly rates look correct

Step 4 — Publish Changes

When ready:

1. Click Publish
2. Your website widget updates automatically

You do not need to reinstall the embed code after publishing changes.

Step 5 — Add the Widget to Your Website

Copy the embed code from your dashboard and paste it into your website where you want the calculator to appear.

Example:

<div id="ccschecker-widget"></div>
<script async
  src="https://ccschecker.com.au/embed.js"
  data-centre-id="your-centre-id"
  data-widget="calculator"
  data-mode="free"
  data-size="standard">
</script>

The async attribute ensures the widget loads without affecting your page speed.

Safe to use on any page. Does not affect your site's performance or styling.

Size Options

• standard — best for most pages
• compact — fits sidebars or narrow columns
• wide — ideal for full-width landing pages

Where Should I Place It?

Most centres add the calculator to:

• A Fees page
• An Enrolments page
• A dedicated Cost Calculator page

Best practice: Place it near your fee information so families can immediately estimate their out-of-pocket cost.

Using WordPress

1. Add a Custom HTML block to your page.
2. Paste the embed code.
3. Update / publish the page.

Using Squarespace

1. Add a Code Block.
2. Paste the embed code.
3. Save and publish.

Using Wix

1. Add an Embed HTML element.
2. Paste the embed code.
3. Publish your site.

Important: Website Preview Modes

Some website builders do not display embedded scripts in preview mode.

If the widget appears blank in preview, publish your page and view it live.

After Installation

• The widget loads automatically
• It always uses your latest published settings
• You do not need to update the code when you change fees or programs
• The widget does not store personal information on your website
• CCSChecker uses publicly available CCS rules and updates automatically when government settings change

If the Widget Doesn't Appear

• Ensure the code is placed inside a Custom HTML / Code block
• Confirm you have clicked Publish in your dashboard
• Check that your centre ID matches the one shown in your dashboard
• Premium centres can contact priority support for assistance

What Families See

Families select a program and session, then enter:

• Relationship status
• Combined income
• Activity hours
• Days per week
• Other children in approved care

They see:

• Estimated weekly out-of-pocket cost
• CCS percentage applied
• Weekly CCS amount
• Centre fees based on your configured sessions
• Kindergarten funding (if configured for that program)
• Annual estimate

They can expand "How we worked this out" to view the calculation breakdown.

Free vs Premium

Free Plan

Includes:

• Weekly cost calculator with program selection
• Transparent breakdown
• Kindergarten offset support
• "Powered by CCSChecker" attribution

Suitable for centres wanting clear cost communication.

Premium Plan

Includes everything in Free, plus:

• Remove CCSChecker branding
• Attendance comparison dashboard (side-by-side 3, 4 or 5 day comparisons)
• Annual modelling
• Custom centre CTA button
• Schedule future price changes
• Priority support

Premium supports attendance comparison and annual modelling for centres that want deeper enrolment conversations.

Common Questions

Is this an official CCS assessment?

No. The widget provides an independent estimate based on publicly available CCS settings. Final CCS eligibility, rates and payments are determined by Services Australia.

Will this match our invoices exactly?

The widget uses your configured programs, sessions and hourly rates. Actual invoices may vary based on individual family CCS circumstances.

What if we have different fees for different rooms?

Create a separate program for each room. Each program has its own sessions, pricing, age group and kindergarten configuration. Families select the relevant program in the widget.

Does the widget interpret state kindergarten rules?

No. Centres configure their own kindergarten funding settings per program.

Do we need to update the embed code after changes?

No. Once installed, the widget updates automatically when you publish changes.

What if a family's CCS changes later?

Final CCS outcomes are determined by Services Australia. The widget applies publicly available rules consistently and transparently.

Can we schedule fee changes in advance?

Yes — Premium centres can schedule future price changes to take effect automatically on a specific date. Set these up in the Centre Dashboard under "Schedule Price Changes".

Best Practice Tips

• Keep your programs and session pricing updated before publishing
• Check the displayed hourly rate matches what you expect
• Configure kindergarten funding only for eligible age groups (not 0–2)
• Review your preview before publishing
• Use descriptive program names so families know which room to select
• Use Premium if you want attendance comparison, annual modelling or scheduled price changes
• If you have an existing fee spreadsheet, see how to import rooms and fees