The Cost of Child Care

Lately, I have felt little or no effect of the current economic downturn. My parents are stable and have weathered the financial problems that have affected so many people just fine. Until a short while ago when I was faced with a sudden opening. And I almost had the spot filled when the economy swooped in a forced the family to back away from what they saw as an excellent opportunity for their child.

This got me to wondering how parents are budgeting daycare and what can be done to improve the situation. Donna Norton at MomsRising.org suggested that we support a bill traveling through the Senate that would increase the child care deduction to almost twice what it currently is.

This is an interesting topic. On one side we have those that feel as though taxes are already giving us quite enough (it is surprising that some of your readers would not like a tax deduction - the article didn't suggest a refund) and those like you that feel the government should help those less fortunate while helping those that can afford much more expensive and exclusive daycare situations. Those who commented seemed to be missing the issue, framing it as a tax issue rather than a quality care cost issue.

Can it be had both ways?

Possibly it already is. Those who earn more than poverty level wages are allowed a $1000 deduction per child as part of the Child Tax Credit. There is currently a bill in committee in the House looking to make this important credit indexed for inflation.

What price a child? Cold calculations can range from $170,000 on up to $350,000 per child. Should families look at these numbers decide not have children or should they treat them otherwise, as worthwhile expenses? While they are always as priceless as precious, they do have a cost attached.

Where the government should step in is to help providers lower their costs and improve their economic situation. Current government regulation put the cost of reimbursable meals at $1.92 (for breakfast, lunch and two snacks).

Often these providers are taking care of your children as the costs of care are rising and to fix that they must pass the cost of operating a safe environment for your child on to you. Insurance costs are among the most difficult to pass on and among the most difficult to avoid. Providers, the good ones at least, must be licensed (which may come with some improvements to what would normally be considered a safe-enough house) trained (on their own time after spending all day with your children) and certified (through inspections). All of these could be subsidized by the government relieving the economic pressures of the high cost of running a nurturing environment during these all important formative years.

Providing tax relief at the provider level would have a greater net effect on better care than offering similar tax deductions for parents who still must pay upfront.

This kind of tax break would have a twofold effect: the provider would be more willing to offer better care and you would pay less.

You can sign an online petition to help sponsor the Family Tax Relief Act of 2009.

Pre-School and Daycare Vaccines

Some children who attend a daycare or pre-school encounter their first group situation. They may have been to parties or social events, but the steady atmosphere of such places as daycares and pre-schools in young person’s life beg the question to be asked: are vaccinations necessary?

This is a hot button topic and I only want to add my perspective not my recommendation – although I am required by the state of Oregon to ask what your preference is – do you or don’t you and require you provide proof. (the form and information on exemptions is found at a link at the bottom of the page).

The actual law states: “Shots are required by law for children in attendance at public and private schools, preschools, childcare facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon. Nearly every place that provided care for a child outside the home requires shots or a religious or medical exemption to stay enrolled.”

By the time these children reach school and eventually college age, these vaccines and numerous others will be required. But the concern continues. Because some believe in herd protection – when a large number of people are vaccinated, those that are not are by default, protected – the child who does not receive the required vaccines runs a risk should the general populace be exposed.

Jonathan D. Rockoff of the Baltimore Sun recently wrote: "FDA officials said that the agency has been monitoring reports of vaccine side effects with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that it inspects vaccine manufacturing plants at least every two years, all the while reviewing new research that might shed light on the causes of autism and the workings of the shots.”

Dr. Peter L. Goodman, the director of the Food and Drug Administration's vaccines division is quoted in the article as saying, “I don't believe there is evidence that links vaccines to autism, but I do believe these are concerns we need to take seriously."


With the supposed but still lack of conclusive proof of links to autism, “FDA Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach said the agency plans to connect the latest discoveries about the causes of autism with new understanding about the workings of vaccines and genetics to probe for hidden links.”


According to the National Vaccine Program Office, immunization requirements vary from state to state but once the child reaches school age, those exemptions are only for specific reasons.

The NVPO information states: “The requirements for documentation of medical, religious, or philosophical exemptions vary.

“In some states, parents with philosophical exemptions may apply for an exemption for their child or children from the state's immunization requirements for school entry.

“Parents should be aware that withholding vaccinations leaves their child vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases in the event of an outbreak. As a matter of personal health, children without immunizations should remain home during outbreaks of the diseases for which they have not received vaccination. Also, as a matter of responsibility to the community, unvaccinated children should be kept at home if there is an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease within the family. Such illnesses should be reported to the pediatrician or family physician.

“If you are considering a philosophical or religious exemption for your child, you should be aware that outbreaks tend to occur in waves: One group becomes ill; a second group becomes ill within a week or two, and so on. This means that the time an unvaccinated child must miss school can run into months.”

Such quarantine procedures were standard before vaccines made the general populace safe from outbreaks.

Additional Reading:

CRS Report for Congress – “Mandatory Vaccinations: Precedent and Current Laws”
Information about Oregon's Religious Exemption
The Oregon CIS Form is picked up at the health department or schools.
For allState Mandates on Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases