Reasearching Childcare

Comment: This is a good inclusive article for parents looking for childcare the first time around because it explains a lot and talks about a wide variety of needs any child in a public situation will find.

Researching for day care is key
Published Wednesday, August 16, 2006
By Meghan Reinke
of the Times

MONROE -- For Kelli Brunton, a working mother of 2-year-old triplets and a 5-year-old, day care was something she and her husband knew they had to look into, with both of them working.

For the Bruntons the research for an affordable and capable provider began while Kelli was still pregnant. She asked other parents about their day care choices.

"It was something we knew we needed to do," Brunton explained. "It gets children out of the house and teaches them to socialize with other people."

The Bruntons finally settled on part-time private in-home care, something Brunton estimates the family spends about $5,000 to $6,000 a year on. As for the cost of the care Brunton said she knows other families often pay more for their care, especially at the larger centers. Although the care is costly, for the Bruntons child care is something that must be managed.

For many families with working parents child care is an expensive necessity, often eating up large chunks of their paychecks. Day care costs vary depending on the type of care a family chooses. Private care like the Brunton's often takes place in the provider's home and does not require the caregiver to be certified unless there are four or more children in the home. Larger centers like Rainbow Child Care Inc. in Monroe can offer licensed staff and a more classroom-like setting but can cost the family anywhere from $7,000 on up just for one child.

For Lisa Moon, a working Monroe mother of two boys, larger centers like Rainbow can offer more flexibility for busy parents.

"When they (the children) were younger we had an in-home sitter," Moon said. "Now they go to Rainbow and I like the flexibility of dropping them off and picking them up."

Moon said she also appreciates the classroom setting at the larger facility where the children often play outside and complete art projects.

The third and most expensive option is to hire a nanny or au pair. The option is highly unlikely for the average working family with the cost for such care ranging from $13,000 to $20,000 a year.

For most parents the in-home provider or larger centers are the most economical option, but how does a family go about choosing the best care for their child?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, parents should first look into the provider's qualifications. The state of Wisconsin requires anyone caring from more than four children under the age of seven to obtain a license. Those who are not required to become licensed can voluntarily become certified. A few day care facilities will even go as far as becoming accredited.

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children Web site, a center with NAEYC accreditation will employ a "teaching staff with educational qualifications and a curriculum that fosters all areas of child development." To obtain accreditation the center must go through a four-step process and submit yearly reports to the NAEYC.

The only NAEYC accredited center in Green County is Small World in New Glarus. Child care at Small World will cost a family about $700 per month but according to Director Lisa Belle the quality of care at the center is well worth the price.

"NAEYC sets standards that are higher than the state's," Belle said. "When you go with centers that are accredited you pay more because the teachers are required to have a bachelors degree."

After families have decided what type of child care is best for their needs, many local providers encourage making unannounced visits to the center. Kris Hartwig, administrator at Rainbow, encourages parents to tour the facility and interview the providers.

"Ask questions. Ask what the ratios (of adults to children) are, ask about the training of teachers," Hartwig said. "Make a list, a lot of times parents freeze up."

Once the family has enrolled their child, the reality of the financial strain may finally begin to hit home.

Belle said she understands the financial pressures many parents are facing when trying to support their families.

"You want what's best for your child but you also need to put food on the table Š we feel for the families," Belle said.

To combat the rising costs of day care the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has created a Wisconsin Shares the Child Care Subsidy program with the goal to "provide access to affordable, high quality childcare and early education experiences to enhance our children's development and to support their families in work or parenting roles.

According to the DWD Web site the program works to make child care available to all low-income families who need child care in order to work. In 2005 $308 million was made available to families who met the financial criteria which states a family must have an income equal to or less than $28,992 a year for a family of three. The program will provide financial aid until the family's income meets or exceeds $31,344 for two consecutive months. The program requires the children attend licensed or certified day care facilities.

According to Kathy Gempeler, child care coordinator for the Green County Human Services Economic Support Unit, there are 121 families and 206 children in the county receiving aid.
"Most parents are truly appreciative of the financial assistance," Gempeler said.