Childcare can be a costly expenditure on the American household budget. And in some instances, can cost as much as another mortgage payment. In fact, the average cost of daycare is $11,666 per year, or $972 a month, according to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). Of course this figure varies according to where you live, how many hours a day you require childcare, etc. For example, in major metropolitan areas like San Francisco or New York, daycare costs can run as high as $2,000 per month.
The need for a PA daycare has grown as family structures have evolved. According to the Population Reference Bureau, 24 percent of the 75 million children under the age of 18 live in a single mother household. As a result, there are currently approximately 16,520 licensed childcare centers and 150,159 home daycare providers in the U.S., including PA daycare centers. Due to the potential financial and time restraints, however, many companies are opting to offer PA childcare in the form of corporate daycare or employer sponsored childcare.
On site childcare in the workplace is a growing trend because there are so many benefits. For employees, it allows for more time with their children and often the cost is somewhat subsidized by the employer. The benefits of corporate childcare for employers can translate into boosted morale and lower absenteeism.
The next step in selecting PA daycare is to consider one of the 7,000 daycare centers nationwide that have been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This is regarded as the highest standard in the field, so if possible, begin your PA daycare search with one of these facilities. This accreditation means that the PA daycare facility has specific standards that meet the learning and developmental goals of children, and they have professional, highly skilled staff.
In addition to the NAEYC accreditation, consider the credentials of the PA daycare employees, too. Are they certified in CPR? Is the staff childcare and educational professionals? Will their curriculum and activities align with age appropriate activities? Last but not least, when choosing a PA daycare, consider both word of mouth recommendations and a tour of the PA daycare facility. How do other parents describe their experiences with the PA daycare facility? Is it clean and safe? Do the children seem happy? What are yours and your childs needs? You know your child better than anyone else, so ask yourself if you could envision your child in the PA daycare facility that you are researching.
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