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How
Much Will Child Care Cost?
Find out today's
going rates, by region.
Quality child
care may be one of the biggest expenses that parents face. Between
65 and 70 percent of children under the age of 6 are in some form
of nonparental care. Here are the popular child-care options and how
they compare in cost.
Child-Care Centers
This is the most
popular form of child care. These centers serve fairly large groups
of children who are separated by age group and led in highly structured
activities. All child-care centers should be licensed by the state.
There can be
a great disparity in price for a child-care center; urban areas are
more expensive, and care for infants generally costs more than for
toddlers.
According to
the Children's Defense Fund, these are the average weekly costs of
child-care centers in major cities and their surrounding suburbs as
of December 2000:
New York: $174 per infant; $155 per toddler
Atlanta: $116 per infant; $96 per toddler
Chicago: $170 per infant; $102 per toddler
Denver: $130 per infant; $98 per toddler
Los Angeles: $134 per infant; $93 per toddler
Here are the average costs in rural areas:
Somerset County, Maine: $90 per infant; $75 per toddler
Campbell County, Wyoming: $87 per infant; $63 per toddler
Ellis County, Texas: $82 per infant; $59 per toddler
Kearney County, Nebraska: $68 per infant; $49 per toddler
Lee County, South Carolina: $65 per infant; $65 per toddler
Occasionally, child-care centers give parents a 10 to 20 percent price
break for a second child enrolled in the same center, although there's
a trend away from such discounts.
Family Child
Care
Another option
is family child care, which involves a mixed-age group of infants
and toddlers in a home setting. This is generally a more personal
atmosphere than a child-care center, with a greater ratio of adults
to children. Less-structured activities can include field trips, arts
and crafts, and music. Meals and snacks are usually included.
Family child
care costs on average between $100 and $150 per week. Unlike child-care
centers, the disparity between urban and rural areas and between infants
and toddlers is minimal.
In-Home Care
In-home care
includes several options. Be aware that the government expects you
to pay your nanny legally, which means you're required to pay employer's
taxes and social security taxes for your in-home provider. Here are
some typical costs:
Professionally trained nannies can be very expensive, ranging from
$500 weekly for live-in care to nearly $1,000 weekly if they don't
live in your home. Most expect a car allowance and/or the use of the
family vehicle. Some require health insurance to be included as well.
A full-time nanny or babysitter without formal training can range
from $175 a week for live-in care to $300 or beyond if they don't
live in your home.
A third option is an au pair. Aside from room and board, an au pair
usually earns $115 to $125 per week. But don't be fooled. Many au
pairs are placed by professional matching services. Families who use
these services are also often responsible for paying $500 per year
toward an au pair's tuition costs and are charged a fee of $3,000
to $5,000 to participate in the program.
Public Schools
and Head Start Programs
Look into possibilities
in your local community. Some public schools offer prekindergarten
programs at no cost. Families with a low income or a child with special
needs may be eligible for Head Start, a program run from centers or
schools focusing on educational activities. If you meet eligibility
requirements, the services are usually free.
Your
should know:
The
information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes
only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical
advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose
or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your
pediatrician or family doctor. Please consult a doctor with any
questions or concerns you might have regarding your or your child's
condition.
Rebornne Baby. American Baby
