Child care costs have nearly doubled in the last quarter century while the percentage of families who pay for child care has declined, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau child report. The annual cost of child care in Wisconsin for a 4-year-old was $9,588 in 2011, and $10,775 for an infant. That’s higher than the average annual cost of tuition and fees for public colleges in Wisconsin (see report on costs of child care, put out by Child Care Aware of America).
The cost of child care has been particularly difficult during the recent recession. The Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program has had frozen payment rates since 2007, and the state has implemented other payment policies that have resulted in a 17% drop in average monthly payments per child. No wonder both parents and child care businesses are feeling squeezed.
The problem is likely to be exacerbated if Governor Walker’s child care budget proposal goes through. The proposal would reduce child care funding by $35 million over the next two years, with little change in current payment policies.
See WCCF’s overview of the child care proposals in the Governor’ budget.
