So, You Want Cheap Childcare??? Get to Steppin'!!!

[Unregistered]

I see threads about daycare prices all the time, and my mouth always drops. I work in a center, in the 4 year old class and 85% of our kids are on daycare subsidy.

We are paid $125 a week for infants, $98 for toddlers, $93 for preschool and $60 for B & A. We are required to provide food, do a curriculum, etc...

Is anyone else in Virginia? Is that the going rate or are we being robbed??

I'm in NJ, but I don't know anyone who charges more than 100 per kid including meals. Here, you can only legally watch five children (not including your own). The PRIVATE centers charge like 150. Once they're about three, there's head start and other free options. 500 dollars per week is below the cost of living in NJ. If I was single/my husband didn't work, I wouldn't do this or work in center. I actually have a license to teach in public schools. Getting in the public schools in NJ is like getting into the Mafia. I'm pretty sure you have to kill someone and take a blood oath. JK Not really...

[Unregistered]

Contact your local representative

When I found out how much daycare costs, I contacted my local representatives. Something needs to be done to offset the costs. My husband and I can't afford to eat!!! We make a little bit too much money to qualify for the subsidy in my area. We are screwed.

[Blackcat31]

When I found out how much daycare costs, I contacted my local representatives. Something needs to be done to offset the costs. My husband and I can't afford to eat!!! We make a little bit too much money to qualify for the subsidy in my area. We are screwed.

Curious what your local representative has to do with the costs of child care?

Daycare is a choice. It's not mandatory.

[hwichlaz]

Curious what your local representative has to do with the costs of child care?

Daycare is a choice. It's not mandatory.

Representatives have a lot to do with the cost of child care when it comes to subsidies.

[nannyde]

When I found out how much daycare costs, I contacted my local representatives. Something needs to be done to offset the costs. My husband and I can't afford to eat!!! We make a little bit too much money to qualify for the subsidy in my area. We are screwed.

Make sure you tell this story to EVERYONE you know of in their child bearing years. If you would have known you don't have the ability to get a job that pays you enough to pay for any aspect of your kids expenses, you would have not brought a child into this world.

It's better to save for YEARS and put away the money for five years of care before you even thought to conceive.

Shout it loud and clear. Tell everyone you meet. Telling your representatives won't help but telling the childless people you meet may.

[daycare]

Make sure you tell this story to EVERYONE you know of in their child bearing years. If you would have known you don't have the ability to get a job that pays you enough to pay for any aspect of your kids expenses, you would have not brought a child into this world.

It's better to save for YEARS and put away the money for five years of care before you even think to conceive.

Shout it loud and clear. Tell everyone you meet. Telling your representatives won't help but telling the childless people you meet may.

I just had to wipe coffee off my screen.....

[Cat Herder]

Make sure you tell this story to EVERYONE you know of in their child bearing years. If you would have known you don't have the ability to get a job that pays you enough to pay for any aspect of your kids expenses, you would have not brought a child into this world.

It's better to save for YEARS and put away the money for five years of care before you even thought to conceive.

Shout it loud and clear. Tell everyone you meet. Telling your representatives won't help but telling the childless people you meet may.

:hug: Thank you!!

[Silly Songs]

Instead of childcare, maybe parents can work opposite hours, or one can stay home. Honestly, if one parent is making less than 10 an hour, it may not be worth it to pay for childcare. Maybe one parent can switch careers and work weekends somewhere and stay home during the week. There are many families who juggle different work schedules so someone is usually home. You can also tell your employer how expensive day care is, ask for a different position which pays more.
Not all families use daycare, usually because it is expensive. Many sacrifice certain things to afford daycare or to have one parent stay home. You can discuss your options with your significant other.

[Fiddlesticks]

When I found out how much daycare costs, I contacted my local representatives. Something needs to be done to offset the costs. My husband and I can't afford to eat!!! We make a little bit too much money to qualify for the subsidy in my area. We are screwed.

I hope you also contacted him/her about housing, healthcare and the price of food. Other things I am sure you are making a bit too much to qualify for the subsidy regarding these items. Surely you would like to see the price of food regulated?

[Leigh]

Instead of childcare, maybe parents can work opposite hours, or one can stay home. Honestly, if one parent is making less than 10 an hour, it may not be worth it to pay for childcare. Maybe one parent can switch careers and work weekends somewhere and stay home during the week. There are many families who juggle different work schedules so someone is usually home. You can also tell your employer how expensive day care is, ask for a different position which pays more.
Not all families use daycare, usually because it is expensive. Many sacrifice certain things to afford daycare or to have one parent stay home. You can discuss your options with your significant other.

You're so right. I'd wager that at least half of the jobs in my city don't pay enough to pay childcare for 2 children, let alone rent, food, etc. There are MANY people who work full time and take home less than $200 a week.

[TaylorTots]

Make sure you tell this story to EVERYONE you know of in their child bearing years. If you would have known you don't have the ability to get a job that pays you enough to pay for any aspect of your kids expenses, you would have not brought a child into this world.

It's better to save for YEARS and put away the money for five years of care before you even thought to conceive.

Shout it loud and clear. Tell everyone you meet. Telling your representatives won't help but telling the childless people you meet may.

Yes! LOL, do you know how many Des Moines area parents I meet with that same complaint?! I tell them the same thing.

[Unregistered]

Situation

Some people plan for relatives to baby sit and something happens to where that is not possible or the dad leaves or something and you are in an unexpected situation looking for child care and most jobs out there only pay a little over 200 a week making it impossible to pay for child care

[daycarediva]

Some people plan for relatives to baby sit and something happens to where that is not possible or the dad leaves or something and you are in an unexpected situation looking for child care and most jobs out there only pay a little over 200 a week making it impossible to pay for child care

and that's what child care assistance is for. Many center based programs also offer sliding fee scales.

$200/week is well below minimum wage, so no that's BS.

[daycarediva]

Make sure you tell this story to EVERYONE you know of in their child bearing years. If you would have known you don't have the ability to get a job that pays you enough to pay for any aspect of your kids expenses, you would have not brought a child into this world.

It's better to save for YEARS and put away the money for five years of care before you even thought to conceive.

Shout it loud and clear. Tell everyone you meet. Telling your representatives won't help but telling the childless people you meet may.

IF you NEED to use daycare, BUT you cannot AFFORD daycare- you can't afford children. PERIOD.

Instead of childcare, maybe parents can work opposite hours, or one can stay home. Honestly, if one parent is making less than 10 an hour, it may not be worth it to pay for childcare. Maybe one parent can switch careers and work weekends somewhere and stay home during the week. There are many families who juggle different work schedules so someone is usually home. You can also tell your employer how expensive day care is, ask for a different position which pays more.
Not all families use daycare, usually because it is expensive. Many sacrifice certain things to afford daycare or to have one parent stay home. You can discuss your options with your significant other.

THIS! YOU DON'T NEED DAYCARE! (says the daycare provider)

I had two children in dc. Had our third and it made no sense financially, so we worked opposite shifts.

It's not the end of the world, but you MUST make sacrifices when you have kids- be it money (childcare) or time (working opposite your spouse).

[Blackcat31]

daycare is not charity.