Sara Mauskopf
Sara Mauskopf is the co-founder and CEO of Winnie. She’s also the mom of three young children and vocal advocate for high quality child care and early education for all.
Childcare is one of the biggest bills most families pay, so when a provider offers a discount, it is worth paying attention. Many childcare providers run limited-time promotions and you can now find those offers directly on Winnie.
Why do providers offer limited-time discounts? Programs want to fill open spots and a time-limited promotion gives families a reason to decide sooner rather than later. You will tend to see the most discounts during fall enrollment season, around the new year, and again in the summer when families reevaluate their arrangements.
What these discounts look like
Promotions vary by provider, but they tend to follow a few familiar patterns:
- A flat dollar amount off, tied to an enrollment deadline
- A percentage off tuition for a set period, like 50% off tuition through the end of the year
- All-inclusive pricing that bundles the extras. Some providers include healthy meals and snacks, diapers and wipes, and extended care.
How to find discounts on Winnie
Providers share their current promotions right on their Winnie profiles, so the discount shows up alongside everything else you are comparing: tuition rates, availability, parent reviews, hours, and licensing information. Look for the discount badge when you browse providers in your area and then visit the provider's Winnie page to get more details about the offer.
These offers are usually limited-time by design so they may change from one month to the next. If you haven't secured childcare yet, it's worth checking if any new providers are offering discounts. Even if you don't see a discount listed, it's still worth asking the provider directly what is available.
Other ways to bring childcare costs down
Limited-time promotions are one tool, but there are other ways to save:
- Child care assistance programs such as Head Start, free state-funded pre-k, and military assistance are all listed on a provider's Winnie page when offered to qualifying families.
- Sibling discounts, sliding-scale fees, financial aid and scholarships are also all listed on a provider's Winnie page when a provider offers these options.
- If your employer offers childcare benefits, you may have access to subsidies or backup care you are not using. Ask your HR department what's available to you.
- Tax season brings its own savings from the Child and Dependent Care Credit to dependent care FSAs.
If you are searching for childcare, check Winnie for current provider promotions in your area before you decide. Note the enrollment deadline, tour the programs on your short list, and confirm exactly what is included in the price.
