Child Care Assistance - Do Parents Pay Difference?

[HL0605]

I'm in Ohio and am not licensed solely because the state requires that you accept state funded clients and not charge the difference. If you do not have an assistance receiving client enrolled they may revoke your license. They pay about 60% of what I charge my clients, so it makes no sense for me to be licensed. This is so completely unfair, it boggles my mind that it really is the law. When I questioned ODJFS about how it could be in my interest to become licensed, I was told that I should take a client who was on assistance (at 60% of my regular fee) because it was "the right thing to do". Why should daycare providers, who make some of the lowest wages of any profession, be the ones to subsidize child care for low income parents? It's crazy to me.

[Thriftylady]

I'm in Ohio and am not licensed solely because the state requires that you accept state funded clients and not charge the difference. If you do not have an assistance receiving client enrolled they may revoke your license. They pay about 60% of what I charge my clients, so it makes no sense for me to be licensed. This is so completely unfair, it boggles my mind that it really is the law. When I questioned ODJFS about how it could be in my interest to become licensed, I was told that I should take a client who was on assistance (at 60% of my regular fee) because it was "the right thing to do". Why should daycare providers, who make some of the lowest wages of any profession, be the ones to subsidize child care for low income parents? It's crazy to me.

When I had called about it when I was considering opening, they didn't tell me it was required. Glad I didn't go any farther into the process. I guess now we know why there is such a shortage.

[nanglgrl]

I'm in Ohio and am not licensed solely because the state requires that you accept state funded clients and not charge the difference. If you do not have an assistance receiving client enrolled they may revoke your license. They pay about 60% of what I charge my clients, so it makes no sense for me to be licensed. This is so completely unfair, it boggles my mind that it really is the law. When I questioned ODJFS about how it could be in my interest to become licensed, I was told that I should take a client who was on assistance (at 60% of my regular fee) because it was "the right thing to do". Why should daycare providers, who make some of the lowest wages of any profession, be the ones to subsidize child care for low income parents? It's crazy to me.

Because we work with children. For some reason teachers and daycare providers are supposed to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the children (even if we have our own children who would also have to sacrifice) but pediatric doctors and many other professions can do what they do for the sake of their businesses.

[wonderfullisa]

I didn't realise that Ohio didn't allow us to charge the difference. Then again, in my county, I was able to RAISE my rates by charging the JFS max.
Because of this, I hadn't looked into those details, much. I knew we weren't allowed to charge state pay more than private, but didn't know it had to be the same. I know we can claim a certain number of absences, so that helps. I just wish an absence wasn't a set 5 hours. I have a weekend kid who is here 9 hours. Five hours of state pay is DRASTICALLY different than nine. :/

[Unregistered]

I don't know how it works in other states. In NJ, we get paid if they come in at least one day of the month. However, while we can charge the client anything not covered. It's not enforced. Many times, they will agree to pay and then stick you knowing the state will never do anything. Just because you can charge more, doesn't mean you will get it.

[Leigh]

I don't know how it works in other states. In NJ, we get paid if they come in at least one day of the month. However, while we can charge the client anything not covered. It's not enforced. Many times, they will agree to pay and then stick you knowing the state will never do anything. Just because you can charge more, doesn't mean you will get it.

That's awful. Here, if a parent skips out owing, we can report them to childcare assistance, and their assistance is suspended until they repay us or we agree on a payment plan.

[Unregistered]

That's awful. Here, if a parent skips out owing, we can report them to childcare assistance, and their assistance is suspended until they repay us or we agree on a payment plan.

It's just easier for the state to let them hop to place to place until they find a place that will take them for the fee only.

[Meeko]

In Utah, we charge what we like.

A subsidy parent must pay any difference in what they get from the state and what we charge.

The only rule is that we cannot charge a state parent more in total cost than we charge self-pay parents.

We get paid in advance on the 1st of each month... through direct deposit from the state.

[Unregistered]

Oregon allows it.
I don't take subsidy. I always have issues with payments, termination and getting paid when they don't give much notice. Ends up in collections. No ty!

[Unregistered]

Oregon allows it.
I don't take subsidy. I always have issues with payments, termination and getting paid when they don't give much notice. Ends up in collections. No ty!

Also - we are allowed 5 sick days per month. They only pay hourly through 62 hours and then they have a part time and full time maximums.