If you're trying to figure out how to make child care fit your budget, you're not alone. The good news is there are a number of programs and benefits that can help lower the cost.
We're breaking down some of the ways to make childcare work for your family, including the most commonly talked about childcare assistance programs and how to apply for them at the federal, state, and local levels.
Finding a solution that works can take some finessing. Whether you're a student, don't have a steady income, or your job just doesn't pay enough to cover the cost, there are many reasons child care can feel out of reach financially.
Many states, and even the federal government, have solutions available to subsidize or cover the full cost of childcare for some families. You may need to do some research or fill out paperwork, but the end result is worth it. Here are some ways to make childcare more affordable.
Some companies offer Dependent Care FSA (Flexible Savings Account) as a benefit to their employees. A Dependent Care FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your paycheck to pay for childcare, preschool, and even summer camp.
Benefits of this type of FSA include:
Just because one of the local daycare options is out of your budget doesn't mean that there is a hidden gem that's more affordable. Be sure to check out the price difference between in-home childcare programs and daycare centers, some may be more affordable than others depending on where you live.
Winnie can help you compare the cost of preschool and daycare options near you, without having to search and research all on your own.
If you work from home or have a flexible schedule, you may be able to make childcare more affordable by cutting back the number of hours your child is in care. Part-time daycare may mean a half day or a shorter day.
There are other part-time childcare arrangements that exist. You may also be able to only send your child to daycare on certain days of the week or drop-in on the days you need it and pay as you go.
Child care assistance programs can help lower the cost of care, and in some cases, cover it entirely. These programs are funded by federal, state, and local governments, and each has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Each state handles its own subsidy and voucher program differently. Check your individual state's or district's eligibility criteria and guidelines for applying.
Many child care assistance programs are funded through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which helps low-income families pay for licensed care. Programs like Head Start and Early Head Start offer free early learning for eligible children from birth to age five.
When it comes to daycare or preschool, low cost does not have to mean low quality. In fact, many programs that receive government subsidies or accept vouchers have a lot of regulations that need to be met before they are able to contract with state or federal governments.
Often, programs such as Head Start have to hire a certain number of certified teachers, adhere to student-teacher ratios, and meet health and safety requirements. These programs are generally more closely monitored and submit to regular inspections.
At Winnie, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality, affordable childcare and preschool. We know that children benefit from the social interactions with peers, relationships with caregivers and teachers and exposure to early academics that daycare and preschool programs provide.
The importance of accessible, quality childcare and early learning has never been more top of mind. More and more states are offering Universal Pre-K. Depending on where you live, there may be a guaranteed seat for every child to attend a Universal Pre-K program, or those spots may be filled by a lottery system.
You can search for programs near you offering childcare tuition assistance on Winnie.