DEL News

Dec. 11, 2008
State study shows high child care costs for families

OLYMPIA – Washington families are paying an average of $7,644 per child per year in center-based care and $6,938 a year for home-based care, according to a new Department of Early Learning (DEL) study.

DEL’s 2008 Child Care Survey includes information on child care cost and availability around the state.

“In these tough economic times, it’s critical for families to have access to affordable child care that is safe and offers a healthy learning environment to help children get ready to succeed in school,” said DEL Director Jone Bosworth. “This study tells us that while licensed child care is available around the state, both parents and child care providers may be struggling to make ends meet.”

Washington ranks among the least affordable states in the nation for child care, according to a 2008 report by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies.

A record number of child care providers responded to the 2008 Child Care Survey, a federally required biennial study. Of the 7,400 licensed care providers, more than 55 percent of licensed child care centers and 61 percent of licensed family home child care providers responded through online or telephone surveys from May to July 2008.

Among the key findings:

  • 177,000 licensed child care enrollment slots exist around the state with providers reporting about 13,544 vacancies at centers (10 percent of total capacity), and 14,001 vacancies in family homes (30 percent of total capacity).
  • In King County, the overall vacancy rate is 7 percent, compared with 10 to 13 percent in other regions around the state.
  • Statewide, care for infants costs more than for older children, averaging $10,344 per year in centers and $8,646 in homes.
  • Almost 27,000 people work in licensed child care settings around Washington, and 94 percent of child care employees work in centers. Only 57 percent of lead teachers in centers have medical insurance, and the same is percentage is true for family home providers.
  • Child care subsidies are available for working families who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level through the state’s Working Connections Child Care program. Providers report that about 28 percent of all children in licensed child care — that means about 46,806 children — are supported through this largely federally funded assistance.
  • The majority of providers expressed satisfaction with their experiences with DEL licensing staff: Almost 94 percent of providers agreed or strongly agreed that they felt comfortable calling their DEL licensor with questions, and more than 86 percent agreed or strongly agreed that they receive timely information about licensing policy changes.
  • Many providers said they would like more communication with their DEL licensor and suggested that DEL hire more licensors to reduce their workloads to spend more time working with providers.

Federal law requires DEL to conduct a survey every two years to determine child care costs and capacity around the state, and how many enrollment slots are subsidized. This is required for the state to receive federal funding through the Child Care Development Fund block grant, the department’s primary revenue source. DEL contracted with Walter R. McDonald & Associates, Inc., to conduct the survey and analyze the results.

Families trying to find child care or help paying for child care can visit DEL’s Web site at www.del.wa.gov or call their local child care resource and referral agency toll-free at 1.800.446.1114. Families who need parenting education or support, or access to community resources, can call the Parent Trust for Washington Children family help line at 1.800.932.HOPE (4673).

The 2008 Child Care Survey is available online at http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/research/docs/LicensedChildCareInWashingtonState_2008.pdf.

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The Washington State Department of Early Learning is a Governor’s Cabinet-level state agency created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. DEL oversees the state-funded comprehensive preschool program, child care licensing, and other initiatives and programs to support parents as children’s first and most important teachers. For more information, visit the DEL Web site at www.del.wa.gov.

For more information:

DEL Communications Manager Amy Blondin
360.725.4919 (office)
360.878.0628 (cell)
amy.blondin@del.wa.gov