If paying for child care feels like one of your family’s biggest expenses, you’re not alone. Whether it’s daycare, preschool, after-school care, or hiring a babysitter, plenty of parents say that child care costs impacts practically everything, from creating their work schedules and booking kids activities to planning family vacations (or not). Costs might even factor into decisions about whether or not to have more children.
But there’s some encouraging news from a recent analysis by The Economist: In many developed countries, child care has actually become more affordable over the past decade, thanks to increased government support and subsidies. How does that affect families in the United States?
Child Care Is Still a Challenge for Many Families
The Economist compared child care costs across 36 high-income countries (think France, Finland, Italy and Australia as well as the United States). They crunched the numbers using data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), paying particular attention to what families actually pay after government subsidies. And while many countries have made significant progress (kudos to Canada, Croatia, and the Czech Republic), the United States is still way behind, ranking among the least affordable places for child care. That means American parents are constantly considering difficult questions like:
- Can we afford full-time care?
- Should we get a nanny or a part-time babysitter?
- What happens when school is out and we have to work?
- Who can help when our regular sitter gets sick?
Truth is, for many parents, the answer isn’t one type of care, it’s a creative combination that fits your family.
Child Care Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
We don’t have to tell you that every family is different, with varying needs, schedules, and kids’ needs. And, government subsidies or no government subsidies, not every family requires full-time child care every day. Many parents turn to flexible care to fill the gaps when life gets busy, and that’s where Sittercity can help support you.
How Sittercity Supports Busy Families
Whether you need care for camp drop-off and pick-up, an afterschool nanny for the fall, or a last-minute caregiver to pitch in on the weekend, Sittercity is a smart place to start. Search from our collection of high quality caregivers in your area, or post a job, detailing exactly what you need. Most job posts get applications within two hours! Plus, our Trust and Safety team is always standing by to help you through the process.
Finding Care That Fits Your Budget
Sure, child care is one of the biggest investments many families make, but there are some smart straggles to stretch your budget without sacrificing the high quality care your kids deserve. A few ideas:
- Share a sitter with another family.
- Schedule consistent part-time help instead of full-time care, if you can swing it.
- Plan ahead for school breaks and holidays to avoid last-minute stress.
Because every family’s needs and budget are different, a variety of solutions can suit your schedule. And while affordability is important, it’s only one part of the equation. Families deserve caregivers who are both reliable and experienced as well as responsive, communicative and energetic. Finding someone you trust will provide peace of mind that’s impossible to put a price tag on. Looking for pay rates in your area? Check them out here.
What’s the Upshot?
Around the globe, more and more governments are concentrating on making child care more affordable, and many families are seeing the benefits. Although high child care costs continue to be a challenge in the United States, parents have more options than ever to build a high-quality care plan that fits their family.
So if you’re looking for a once-in-a-while babysitter, regular after-school help, last-minute help for date night, or a full-time nanny, the perfect caregiver fit for your family can help make your life a little less stressful.
