The cost of childcare has exploded over the past couple of decades. Some blame inflation, but as you can see below, that’s simply not the case. And if you’re like many parents, you don’t care much about why it’s so expensive; you worry about how you can afford child care.
When selecting child care for young children, families in the United States have a variety of options to consider. Each choice comes with its own advantages, costs, and availability. Understanding these options can help parents make informed decisions that will suit their family's needs and circumstances.
In this post, we'll explore the primary child care options available, their advantages, and considerations. We also share wisdom from a leading national advocate for reducing the cost of child care.
Child Care Near Me
ChildCare.gov provides links to State or Territory child care websites that parents use to search for child care and consumer education information. The site also helps parents access safe and quality child care services in their community that best suits their family’s needs.
Types of Child Care
Child Care Centers
Child care centers, also known as daycare centers, are facilities that provide care for children in a group setting. These centers are typically licensed by the state and must adhere to specific regulations regarding staff qualifications, safety, and educational programs.
Advantages
Structured environment with a consistent routine
Socialization opportunities with other children
Access to a variety of educational activities and resources
Regulated and inspected for quality and safety
Considerations
May have higher costs compared to other options
Less flexibility in hours of operation
Potential for higher child-to-staff ratios
Family Child Care Homes
Family child care homes provide care for children in the caregiver's home. These settings are usually smaller and more intimate, offering a home-like environment.
Advantages
Smaller group sizes with a more personalized approach
Flexible hours and potentially more accommodating to parents' schedules
Home-like setting that can be comforting for young children
Considerations
Varying levels of regulation and oversight depending on the state
Limited access to facilities and resources found in larger centers
Dependence on a single caregiver for care continuity
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that promote school readiness for children from low-income families. Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers, while Head Start serves preschool-aged children.
Advantages
Comprehensive services that include education, health, nutrition, and family support
Focus on child development and school readiness
Free for eligible families
Considerations
Limited availability based on income and other eligibility criteria
Potentially long waiting lists
Specific to low-income families
Prekindergarten Programs
Prekindergarten (pre-K) programs are designed to prepare children for kindergarten. These programs can be offered by public schools, private schools, or community organizations.
Advantages
Focus on school readiness and early learning
Often taught by certified teachers
Can be part of the public school system and free of charge
Considerations
Availability and admission criteria vary widely
May have limited hours compared to full-day child care
Enrollment typically tied to the academic calendar
School-Age Child Care Programs
These programs provide care for school-aged children before and after school, during school holidays, and over summer breaks. They are often offered by schools, community centers, or child care providers.
Advantages
Convenient for working parents needing care outside school hours
Structured activities that complement the school curriculum
Opportunities for socialization and recreation
Considerations
Limited to school-age children
Availability may vary based on location and demand
Can incur additional costs beyond regular school fees
Child Care Options for Military Families
Military families have access to specific child care programs designed to meet their unique needs. These include Child Development Centers (CDCs) on military bases and subsidized care off-base.
Advantages
Priority placement and affordable rates
High standards of care and regulation
Support for the unique challenges faced by military families
Considerations
Availability may depend on base location and capacity
Military-specific eligibility requirements
Potential waiting lists for on-base care
Informal In-Home Child Care
Informal in-home child care is provided by a relative, friend, or nanny in the child's home or caregiver's home. This option is often less formal and regulated than other types of child care.
Advantages
Highly personalized care and one-on-one attention
Flexible hours tailored to family needs
Comfort and familiarity of home environment
Considerations
Lack of formal regulation and oversight
Varied quality and reliability
Limited socialization opportunities with other children
Modern Husbands Podcast Episode
Childcare Options: How Parents Can Work Together
We welcomed Paige Connell to discuss how working husbands can best support their working wives in a marriage that values teamwork.
Paige is a working mother of four who uses her platform with a massive and quickly growing following on TikTok and Instagram to share her thoughts on the mental load, parenting, and her career.
Her goal is to raise awareness about the mental load of motherhood and advocate for equitable relationships for couples.
00:00 Introduction
02:04 Paige, let’s start with sharing a little bit about yourself. Can you tell us a bit about your family?
05:30 Let’s start with the problem that gets the headlines in the press: the cost of child care. How does the cost of child care impact your family, and others who follow you?
08:40 The locus of control for you and our listeners is how we can work through this problem. Understanding this, can you walk us through how working husbands can use parental leave to support their spouses and children?
16:47 As parents transition into childcare, the mental load of managing a home can begin to take its toll. What is the mental load, and how can a couple work together to avoid placing an unfair burden of the mental load on one spouse?
24:40 Some of our listeners are exploring childcare options. Can you walk us through the different types and the associated costs?
32:40 As children grow, so does the need for planned and thoughtful shared parenting styles. Can you walk us through what this journey has looked like for you?
38:50 What is one piece of simple and actionable advice you want to share to our listeners that they can apply in their lives?
Follow Modern Husbands
Start, Strengthen, or Rebuild Marriages. For couples who want to manage money and the home as a team.
Winning ideas from experts to manage money and the home as a team. 2023 Plutus Award Finalist: Best Couples or Family Content
Winning ideas to manage money and the home as a team delivered to your inbox every two weeks. You'll even receive a few free gifts!
Follow The Company of Dads
Are you a father or expecting father who will be the lead caregiver (Lead Dad)? If so, we strongly encourage you to follow The Company of Dads!