Across the country, child-care centers that were
once full are now watching their enrollment numbers drop.
With the poor economy, parents are pulling their
kids out of child care or after-school care to save money. Some parents have
lost their jobs and are now staying home to take care of their children. Others
have experienced wage and hours reduction at work, but still have to continue
paying for childcare. Many are turning to their relatives, friends and
neighbors for help.
According to March 2009 statistics from the
Washington State Child Care Resources & Referral Network, the average
annual child care cost for an infant getting full-time care is $7,800. It’s
$6,504 for a 4-year-old and $4,368 for before- and after-school care. For some
families struggling to survive through this recession, child care is an expense they can no longer afford.
Who helps you take care of your children? Have you been forced to make any adjustments to your childcare arrangements?
I know just how expensive child care can be. I stayed at home for years because unless I was making over $10 an hour my husband and I couldn’t afford the daycare bill for me to work. I know they need to make money to, but it is insane when it cost more for childcare than you make.
We are truly blessed. My mom is the full time care giver for our 18 month old daughter. Nobody will love her and take care of her like her grandmother will. I have slight concerns about socialization skills so we have her enrolled in Kindermusik once a week and they try to get together with a friends daughter who is the same age once a week.
This blog is intended to provide a forum for parents to share knowledge and resources. It's a place for parents young and old to combine their experiences raising families into a collective whole to help others.
Spokane7
51°
jmeckel on March 18 at 8:29 a.m.
I know just how expensive child care can be. I stayed at home for years because unless I was making over $10 an hour my husband and I couldn’t afford the daycare bill for me to work.
I know they need to make money to, but it is insane when it cost more for childcare than you make.
purplemm on March 18 at 1:08 p.m.
We are truly blessed. My mom is the full time care giver for our 18 month old daughter. Nobody will love her and take care of her like her grandmother will. I have slight concerns about socialization skills so we have her enrolled in Kindermusik once a week and they try to get together with a friends daughter who is the same age once a week.