Daycare costs more than college?!

Emerald27 · April 2014

Apparently in 31 states, avg annual daycare costs top the avg tuition at public colleges.

There's a cool interactive map in the article.

I'm a SAHM, but this seriously makes me wonder how some families manage to afford for 2 parents to work. Check it out:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/04/09/start-saving-now-day-care-costs-more-than-college-in-31-states/?tid=sm_fb

Sockgnome78 · April 2014

Yeah. I will be a SAHM also. But for parents that both work. One basically pays just for daycare and the other works to pay the bills and such. So sad.

Leysin97 · April 2014

Yeah it is super expensive. I work in a wealthy school district. Right now I am on the waiting list for my school district Child development Center which is a lot cheaper than daycare around my school. This years tuition for infants is $995 a month. If I can't get in, which I might they are really full, the daycare centers around there are $1200-$1400 a month. Right now I'm stressing that I won't be able to get into the CDC. It's been a battle just to get on the waiting list which they actually closed for next school year.

Aarg · April 2014

I actually work in a day care and I work in the infant room. The cost per week, depending on location (we have 5 centers), are $350-$450 A WEEK!!

We have had a handful of families dis-enroll because they realized that one was working to pay for daycare and one worked to pay bills.

It's sad...

mmorga15 · April 2014

An infant where I live is 900 dollars a month! Add that to PreK costs for my daughter and we're paying out over 1300 a month! That price absolutely terrifies me but my daughter will be out of PreK by May and we will only have one in daycare. I wish I could stay at home for a year after baby is born but financially we just couldn't afford it.

whiterabbit5 · April 2014

Dear sweet lord. I had no idea daycares were THAT expensive. For our soon to be three it is 350/week. Maybe because it's not a center and is an in home daycare.

reneenearl · April 2014

My husband works an overnight shift now so we can avoid day daycare costs. We both work full time. I work 830-4 PM and he works 11pm-730 AM. He watches our son while I work and I am with our son when I get home as he then goes to sleep until he leaves for work. We also have different days off so there are 4 days a week we are able to really focus on family time. It works for us. We knew we wanted more than one child and we did not want daycare costs to decide how many children we have.

angeltennis3 · April 2014

I will end up paying about $600/month for 3 days a week for an infant. My paychecks will more than cover that, but when we have two, we will have to seriously consider if it's worth spending that much money. It would still be more of a loss of money if I stopped working, but I think there would be benefits that outweigh the loss of funds. A lot to think about!

BreandMikewedding · April 2014

whiterabbit5 said:
Dear sweet lord. I had no idea daycares were THAT expensive. For our soon to be three it is 350/week. Maybe because it's not a center and is an in home daycare.

You pay 350/week for 3!??! That's an amazing deal!!! I pay $150/week for my two year old at a home daycare. If he went to a center it would be around $220/week. Then my 10 year old goes to before school care and that is $200/month. She was doing before and after school care and that was almost $400/month. Plus an extra $160/week for her when there isn't school. Once we have this LO i would make significantly less than daycare costs. We are looking at other options now.

Ravenbaby · April 2014

Yeah, my worry is if I don't continue working we won't be able to afford to pay for college. Who knows if I would be able to pick up where I left off in my career after years and won't have the savings built up.

Starfish17 · April 2014

You also have to take into consideration that the cost of daycare is only for a few years. Depending on your career, if you intend to go back to work at some point you have to decide whether having a break in your employment/ productivity would potentially hurt your future career potential. So even if one paycheck is going entirely to daycare, in the long run it may be worth it (if it is financially feasible) as your earning potential will increase and once the child can go to public school you will no long have the cost of daycare. This factored into our decision when considering whether to work or SAH.

JessAnnJ · April 2014

We pay $280 per week so around $1200 a month for one child in daycare. So we will be paying over $2,000 a month for two. Even if you are not taking home much after daycare there are still other benefits from working such as retirement savings that will benefit your family in the long run. That and my overall future earning potential would be seriously hurt if I took several years off. I also look at it like that same chunk of money will likely be going towards private school and eventually college and that would not be possible with one income. So I figure I've got to just suck it up and make it work.

mghnmouse · April 2014

Starfish17 said:
You also have to take into consideration that the cost of daycare is only for a few years. Depending on your career, if you intend to go back to work at some point you have to decide whether having a break in your employment/ productivity would potentially hurt your future career potential. So even if one paycheck is going entirely to daycare, in the long run it may be worth it (if it is financially feasible) as your earning potential will increase and once the child can go to public school you will no long have the cost of daycare. This factored into our decision when considering whether to work or SAH.

True, but in our case I made the choice to be a SAHM and will homeschool the kids after their year of free pre-K.

CrisDee · April 2014

We pay $1400/month for 1. We are looking for a new daycare for when this one is 1.

irisheyes317 · April 2014

If we go to the daycare at my office, which we probably will, since the waiting list everywhere else is over 18 months long, we will be paying about $2400/month for one infant. I can't get over how much it costs!

trisharenee0316 · April 2014

The daycare right next to my office is now $2400 per month. I've been on the waitlist since I was 6 months pregnant with my first daughter and will have to start all over again on the WL for this kid. Thanks but no thanks.

Most daycares near where I live are between $1500-$1800 for one kid. It's no wonder I'm looking to move my daughter to preschool ASAP so that we can cut that price down to about $1000 per month.

chicitygirl7 · April 2014

All the daycares we've looked at are $1900-$2200/month for infants. It's kind of insane.

lrobi13 · April 2014

I guess I'm lucky. They are "only" charging us $177 per week for newborn. My salary is better than that plus the benefits. Insurance and retirement contributions are seriously things I can't give up.

Don't want to talk about adding additional kids! That is really where the costs get crazy

We have to move 20 miles away for good public schools so that we cost us too as we get close to school age.

kindacrunchy · April 2014

This is exactly why I am a SAHM. I went to college late and had just started in my career when we got pregnant with our last (our oldest was already in school) and realized that between childcare, the extra we eat out when we are both working, not having time to really shop sales, We end up saving money by me being home. I'll start my career when my kids are in school and I'm fine with that because no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children. While I'm really enjoying the SAHM thing I think it sucks how ridiculous day care prices are.

pinkshades05 · April 2014

Daycare here ranged from $1200-1500 when I checked a few years ago. I work part-time in the evenings when DH is home so we do not deal with daycare. We are looking into preschool, though, which we hope will stay under $250 for a couple days a week.

archi35 · April 2014

Sockgnome78 said:

Yeah. I will be a SAHM also. But for parents that both work. One basically pays just for daycare and the other works to pay the bills and such. So sad.

This is why I'm not sure if I'm going back or not. I want to, but when I look at the real advantages versus disadvantages its hard to make the choice. I'm completely on the fence still.

meggiev123 · April 2014

This is a big reason we'll stay overseas for at least another few years. We probably have one of the best paid nannies in all of Ukraine, but for $250/week she works 9 hour days, loves up DD likes she's her own, shops, cooks and cleans and generally organizes our lives. Going back to North America where that would barely pay for daycare scares me!

AppleGrapeMSTK · April 2014

We use an in-home sitter. Since she has children the same ages as mine, it ends up being a paid play date which is why it's so cheap. $15 for 4 hours or less and $20 for a full day. $5 for each extra child. I work second shift so we only use the sitter 4 hours a day for 4 days a week. My oldest only goes if there is no school. Even when all 3 go, it will only be $25-30 a day. I always pay extra, though, because I love the crap out of her.

I am so thankful we were able to find her. If we had to use a daycare, we would not be able to make our rent. If I was a SAHM we could not make the rent.

Dubsgirlie · April 2014

We will pay $1600/month for both kids. It's a lot but still not nearly as much as one of our salaries plus benefits and retirements. Besides, DS loves his daycare and I love the socialization he's getting. It sucks, but it's not forever.

MelanieAdam0707 · April 2014

Starfish17 said:
You also have to take into consideration that the cost of daycare is only for a few years. Depending on your career, if you intend to go back to work at some point you have to decide whether having a break in your employment/ productivity would potentially hurt your future career potential. So even if one paycheck is going entirely to daycare, in the long run it may be worth it (if it is financially feasible) as your earning potential will increase and once the child can go to public school you will no long have the cost of daycare. This factored into our decision when considering whether to work or SAH.

This is me- my paycheck will go entirely for daycare for two however I have a sweet contract w a school (for work) so I have paid summers off at the same salary as when I worked year round. Granted I am not raking in the $$ but the bonus of getting to stay home w my kids every summer and school break is something I don't want to give up while they are in daycare. It's such a tough position.

JessAnnJ · April 2014

I forgot to add to my original post that my daughter loves her daycare and being able to do different things and interact with kids all days. So that also makes me feel better about the cost.

@kindacrunchy‌ re your comment that no amount of money is equivalent to the time you are spending with your children, it's not quite that simple. Those of us who work did not decide that money is more important than spending time with our children.

IrishHoney123 · April 2014

We take our children to an in home sitter for this reason. DS1 went to day care for a little over a year, and it was too expensive and he was sick all of the time, plus the hours are not flexible at all.

fireflyrebirth · April 2014

I worked at a daycare for two years and yeah, infants were almost $1000/month. Prices went down gradually after that as kids got older because required teacher ratios decrease with kids' age. Our center discounted the second kid but it was the less expensive one and only by about 1/3. With more than one kid I always wondered if a nanny wouldn't be a more cost effective option...but there are different benefits for a daycare center vs. in-home daycare vs. nanny share vs. private nanny.

I agree with PPs--while paying for daycare for a set number of years can be a (gigantic) burden, it can be very much worth it to a family for both parents to keep working so neither career gets interrupted and they still can keep health insurance, retirement benefits, etc etc, even if they are only breaking even for those years.

Surromel · April 2014

Daycare costs depend entirely on where you live. I can say for a fact that daycare costs more than community college does in my area. Last year I paid ~3600 for daycare for 7 months of the year (then my son started kindergarten). I live in the midwest, where things are generally cheaper. In the same year, I paid ~2700 for three semesters of college. Had my son continued in daycare, I would have paid practically twice for that than I did for college. And that cost is CHEAPER than the cost for infant daycare. YUP. It is actually quite depressing when taxes come around and you see the full amounts of what you are paying. I honestly don't know how single mothers working blue-collar jobs survive. I really don't. Even with government help. Now that I have a child, I depend upon other people, at least until I finish college. It can be a bit daunting at times, but I am fortunate to have my SO.

ETA: I am glad he was in daycare, though. It was very helpful for his social skills and he honestly loved it. We were lucky to find such a wonderful daycare that was also cheap. Yes, ours was cheaper than most others in this area. I wouldn't change how we did things, but I am definitely glad he is in Kindy now, LOL.

walkeli · April 2014

My husband and I just checked out a place that would run us $1040/mo for baby. I thought that was pretty high. For those of you where it is up to $2000/ for one infant..are you in major cities? We are planning on moving back up to Minnesota in about 3 years once I finish nursing school and we can sell the house..I'm worried because I've read that Minnesota is one of the most expensive states in terms of daycare.

ariel06 · April 2014

walkeli said:

My husband and I just checked out a place that would run us $1040/mo for baby. I thought that was pretty high. For those of you where it is up to $2000/ for one infant..are you in major cities? We are planning on moving back up to Minnesota in about 3 years once I finish nursing school and we can sell the house..I'm worried because I've read that Minnesota is one of the most expensive states in terms of daycare.

The Twin Cities are horribly expensive, but if you are in a more rural area it's way cheaper. My SIL is near Mankato and pays $1200 a month for a home daycare for two kids (9 months and 5 year old), which is pretty darn cheap. When I priced daycare centers out 6 years ago, it was $285 a week per infant and you provided your own diapers and food. I've heard it's gone up since then.

I work part time, while DH is home because without paying daycare I make more money.

SusieBW · April 2014

We're looking at a place now that will be $275/week for an infant, and another $200/week for a toddler. That's the cost with a discount for having 2 kids there. So yeah, almost $2K/month for two kids to go 5 days/week. More than public college, according to that article.

EmmyB13 · April 2014

I was lucky enough to finally get DD into a private school that starts when they are infants and goes up to 6 grade. It is a nonprofit school so it only cost me $380 a month for infant care. The waiting list is super long though to get in. Before that I was paying $180 a week for infant care. So for two it is not going to be more than what I make so I will still be working. Plus I love my job!

kindacrunchy · April 2014

JessAnnJ said:
I forgot to add to my original post that my daughter loves her daycare and being able to do different things and interact with kids all days. So that also makes me feel better about the cost.

@kindacrunchy‌ re your comment that no amount of money is equivalent to the time you are spending with your children, it's not quite that simple. Those of us who work did not decide that money is more important than spending time with our children.

First off, my comment wasn't clear, I was referring to starting my career late and possible earning potential I'm losing out on by staying home, as another poster brought up. That money is just not important or equivalent to the opportunity to get this time with my children.

Second, I do feel time is by far more valuable than money.

Third, I was talking about myself and what I feel, not about anyone else and the choices they are making. How you infer that I'm judging others by that comment is beyond me. And to be crystal clear, if we couldn't pay bills with me at home I would work in a heartbeat. If I had a career that was important to me than I might choose to work also. I actually never thought I would be a SAHM, this is not at all what I envisioned, but I'm liking it and am grateful for it.

TheOtherJacobsons · April 2014

Thank goodness for grandmothers...

JessAnnJ · April 2014

@kindacrunchy‌ you said "no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children." Making statements along the lines of I SAH with my kids because they are more important to me than money is going to irritate some people. It's not as bad as saying "I would never put my kids in daycare", but it's a close second. I actually thought I pointed it out in a nice way originally.

I'm glad you are happy and grateful for opportunity. I really am. I also get what you were trying to say. I just find it incredibly irritating when people make comments like that.

kindacrunchy · April 2014

JessAnnJ said:
@kindacrunchy‌ you said "no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children." Making statements along the lines of I SAH with my kids because they are more important to me than money is going to irritate some people. It's not as bad as saying "I would never put my kids in daycare", but it's a close second. I actually thought I pointed it out in a nice way originally.

I'm glad you are happy and grateful for opportunity. I really am. I also get what you were trying to say. I just find it incredibly irritating when people make comments like that.

And I stand behind that statement. I'm sorry if that offends you or makes you feel insecure but it is how I feel. Time is very important to me and that is likely because of my recent experiences of losing my mother at only 50yrs old, and now watching my aunt fight terminal stomach cancer at only 54yrs old. Life is short and time is precious. And I meant what I said. I'm sorry you took it the way you did and that it irritates you. I'm not sorry I said it though because I truly feel that way.

kindacrunchy · April 2014

JessAnnJ said:
@kindacrunchy‌ you said "no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children." Making statements along the lines of I SAH with my kids because they are more important to me than money is going to irritate some people. It's not as bad as saying "I would never put my kids in daycare", but it's a close second. I actually thought I pointed it out in a nice way originally.

I'm glad you are happy and grateful for opportunity. I really am. I also get what you were trying to say. I just find it incredibly irritating when people make comments like that.

Andplusalso accusing me of judging others for "choosing money over thier children" when I never said that, you did, and taking a comment out of context and twisting it to your inaccurate interpretation is in no way "nice".

Dubsgirlie · April 2014

JessAnnJ said:
@kindacrunchy‌ you said "no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children." Making statements along the lines of I SAH with my kids because they are more important to me than money is going to irritate some people. It's not as bad as saying "I would never put my kids in daycare", but it's a close second. I actually thought I pointed it out in a nice way originally.

I'm glad you are happy and grateful for opportunity. I really am. I also get what you were trying to say. I just find it incredibly irritating when people make comments like that.

She said much nicer than I would have. I LOVE time wth my children. I also like working. So shoot me.

kindacrunchy · April 2014

Dubsgirlie said:

JessAnnJ said:
@kindacrunchy‌ you said "no amount of money is equivalent to this time I'm spending with my children." Making statements along the lines of I SAH with my kids because they are more important to me than money is going to irritate some people. It's not as bad as saying "I would never put my kids in daycare", but it's a close second. I actually thought I pointed it out in a nice way originally.

I'm glad you are happy and grateful for opportunity. I really am. I also get what you were trying to say. I just find it incredibly irritating when people make comments like that.
She said much nicer than I would have. I LOVE time wth my children. I also like working. So shoot me.

And I never said there was anything wrong with that so quit twisting sh*t! I know you don't like me @Dubsgirlie‌ and that is fine by me. I don't care for you too much either.

BeanNut · April 2014

Maybe daycare costs more than college in HCOL areas but certainly not everywhere. Where we used to live my 2 girls' tuition together was about $18,000 annually.

Now I work PT and they go PT to preschool so the cost is less.

Want a personalized experience?

Daycare costs more than college?!

Re: Daycare costs more than college?!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards