Investing in Excellence: Understanding the True Cost of Quality Childcare

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Investing in Excellence: Understanding the True Cost of Quality Childcare

Investing in Excellence Understanding the True Cost of Quality Childcare

These days, it can feel like everything is more expensive. You may notice you are paying more at the pump, shelling out more for housing, and feeling the pinch at the grocery store.

You might also notice the cost of childcare creeping up. Many working parents rely on childcare programs to provide nurturing care. However, many are discovering that the cost of child care is becoming much more expensive.

As a parent, you want to make the best choices about your child’s care and well-being. High-quality child care can be expensive, but the benefits of enriching early learning programs will last a lifetime.

This article will explore the cost of high-quality childcare. You will learn what factors affect the rising cost of child care. You will also discover the average cost of child care in Florida and where to find a high-quality child care program.

Reach out to the Little Sunshine Preschool team to learn more about paying for child care or to explore our early learning programs. We would love to welcome you and your family for a tour of our incredible learning center.

What is Behind Rising Child Care Costs?

High-quality, enriching early learning programs can give children a strong foundation of school-readiness skills. Good day care centers provide more than just safe care. They also offer developmentally appropriate educational activities and play-based learning.

However, many parents are finding that they are spending more of their income on child care than ever before. In Florida, parents may spend up to 17% of their income on child care costs, including:

  • Hiring a nanny
  • Enrolling their child in a daycare center
  • Full or part-time care in a child care center

As the average weekly daycare cost climbs, median income levels remain steady. Many parents are starting to wonder why childcare is more expensive.

The answer to this question is complex. Many factors add up to higher daycare costs. Here is an overview of some of the significant factors contributing to the cost of high-quality care.

More staff members

Infants, toddlers, and young children need a lot of care and attention throughout the day. Childcare programs always follow state and federal child-to-teacher ratio laws.

High-quality childcare programs often have additional staff on hand. This ensures children get more one-on-one time with educators. It also allows teachers to prepare hands-on learning experiences and other educational opportunities.

In short, more staff members mean better care–but it can also mean a higher price tag.

Supplies

Inflation is affecting the price of many items throughout the United States. Many people are feeling sticker shock when shopping for food, home goods, and more.

Daycare centers are also spending more on basic necessities, including:

  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Food
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Equipment
  • Toys
  • Furniture

The rising prices of these and other items can force childcare programs to increase their fees.

Wages

High-quality early learning programs have educated and experienced staff. Finding and keeping outstanding educators often requires paying higher wages and offering benefits.

Higher wages and rising insurance costs can force a childcare center to increase fees. Raising fees can prevent the center from having to cut back in other areas.

Limited federal funding

Federal funding is available for other areas of education, including elementary and secondary schools. Childcare centers do not typically receive federal funding in the same way. The result? Rising childcare costs and less help for working families.

Insurance

Insurance costs are rising quickly. When childcare centers must pay more to insure their center, programs, and staff, it is sometimes necessary to increase fees.

Advertising

Childcare and early learning programs must be creative and innovative to reach potential families. Advertising is more important now than ever before, as more and more centers open up.

Higher advertising costs and other rising expenses can translate into higher fees for working families.

How to Navigate Rising Childcare Costs

Florida is one of the least expensive states for childcare. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the average cost of infant care in Florida is $9,238. Care for a four-year-old averages out to about $7,287 annually.

These monthly expenses are lower than those in many areas of the United States. Still, many parents find paying for high-quality child care a challenge.

Little Sunshine Preschool offers high-quality early learning programs in a welcoming environment. Our educated, experienced teachers use a time-tested curriculum that focuses on STEM, social-emotional skills, and literacy.

We understand that your child’s earliest years are critical to their long-term well-being. Our incredible team works hard to provide the best possible early learning programs in a nurturing environment.

We are also committed to providing high-quality, affordable care. Reach out to our team to learn about subsidies and other ways to pay for quality childcare. You may also ask questions, learn about our incredible programs, or schedule a tour of our learning center.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

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