Daycare Dilemma: Help for Parents

"In most cases we've seen parents try to go to a part day work week or split it with a spouse or change their child to part time,” said Director at Expressive Beginnings Day Care Center Suzanne Rounding. “They seem to be doing whatever they can in order to keep their child in this type of care."

It gets worse for those who don't make enough money to afford child care, but need it.

"Subsidies for childcare for low income people have been declining over time, and county subsidies to support that. At this time the county has no subsidy dollars,” said C.E.O, of the Child Care Council Barbara Ann-Mattle.

Mattle says just because parents can't afford it, doesn't mean children should go without it. 

She believes it's fundamental in preparing kids for the rest of their lives.

"That is absolutely our top focus because like I said you learn more in the first three years of your life than you will ever learn again,” said Mattle.

Mattle hopes employers will get involved, so that reliable workers can focus on work.

That’s something centers like Expressive Beginnings strive for, doing what they can to help meet parents' needs.

"I do everything I can to research help for families in need,” said Rounding.

Something day care facilities hope will make every dollar count for some parents.

For information about financial assistance for child care:

Monroe County Department of Human and Health Services
(585)292-3960

Livingston County Department of Social Services
(585)243-7300

Wayne County Department of Social Services
(315)946-4881

Childcare Dollars-Children’s Institute

(585)295-1000

For average range of cost for child care relative to geographic area, please call our referral department at 585-654-4720.

For military child care subsidy:

contact the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) at www.naccrra.org or 1-800-424-2246.

Head Start-Action for a Better Community

(585)325-5116

Earned Income Tax Credit
1-800-829-1040