The “Child Care Subsidy” Debate: What the State Doesn’t Want You to Calculate
The debate over child care subsidies has been ongoing for years, with many advocating for increased funding and support for working families struggling to afford quality child care. However, there’s a crucial piece of information that the state doesn’t want you to calculate – the total cost of child care, including what it takes to hire a full-time substitute teacher to watch your kid.
- A Full-Time Substitute Teacher is Just the Beginning
According to a report by the Center for American Progress, in 2020, the average cost of center-based child care was $9,589 per year. But what about all the other expenses that come with child care? Child development experts estimate that hiring a full-time substitute teacher to watch your kid could cost anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on factors like location and experience.
- The Hidden Costs of Child Care
When we talk about the “cost” of child care, most people think about the actual cost of center-based care or hiring a babysitter. But there are many other expenses that add up quickly:
- Tutoring and extracurricular activities for your child to keep them ahead of the curve
- Transportation costs to get your kid to and from care – whether it’s a carpool or public transportation
- The cost of clothing, snacks, and supplies required by the child care provider
- Possible additional expenses for special needs or accommodations for children with disabilities
“The reality is that working families are already struggling to make ends meet, and the added expense of child care can be a significant burden. We need to start calculating the total cost of child care and acknowledging the real impact it has on our economy and society.” – Jasmine Hardy, Senior Policy Analyst at the Center for American Progress
As we continue to debate the merits of child care subsidies, let’s not forget to calculate the total cost of child care. It’s time to acknowledge the real impact it has on working families and demand a more comprehensive solution.