For Those With State-Paid DCKs

[Blackcat31]

Centers here charge about $125.00 to $150 a week for infants. But centers get more money from the state too.

Very very few in home providers accept vouchers because they don't pay us crap. In homes charge anywhere from $80 a week up to $100 a week, even for infants.

But the 49 ranking for us is based on a married couple. And to be honest, there is much more single incomes here than married incomes. So that's not going to be accurate.

And let's not mention, in my area, these single moms are bringing home a lot less than $18k a year.

If the state pays so little and you ARE allowed to bill the families the difference, why would providers be unwilling to accept voucher paid kids?

I don't understand? Charge what you'd like to charge. Require families (BOTH single and married) to pay the difference.

I know it's a HUGE cost for families but having kids IS expensive so I guess I don't understand the logic behind mentioning or taking into consideration that a parent is single or not...takes two to make a baby so even if the parents aren't married, there should be two adults supporting said baby...kwim?

[Cradle2crayons]

If the state pays so little and you ARE allowed to bill the families the difference, why would providers be unwilling to accept voucher paid kids?

I don't understand? Charge what you'd like to charge. Require families (BOTH single and married) to pay the difference.

I know it's a HUGE cost for families but having kids IS expensive so I guess I don't understand the logic behind mentioning or taking into consideration that a parent is single or not...takes two to make a baby so even if the parents aren't married, there should be two adults supporting said baby...kwim?

Well, mainly because in home providers get paid only HALF of what centers do from the state. So we get $40 a week, centers get $80 a week. Which means that I charge the families $40 but if they go to a center, the center may only have to charge them 10 or $20 so most in home providers assume parents prefer to pay less.

I don't mind state pays. Honestly, I prefer them. The state pays on time here.

But I do understand why most in home providers don't do it.

As you can see, I'm the ONLY one here .


And only one of two in my county.