What Goes Into the Cost of Quality Child Care

Quality child care costs what it does mainly because of people: enough trained, attentive adults to care for young children safely, paid well enough to stay. Add the costs of a safe building, insurance, supplies, food and meeting licensing standards, and it is easy to see why tuition is one of the biggest expenses for families with young children. Understanding what goes into the price can help you compare programs fairly and ask better questions, and Florida families have some help available, starting with free VPK for four-year-olds.

Where the money goes

Staffing

Young children need a lot of hands-on attention, and Florida sets limits on how many children each adult may care for, with tighter limits for babies and toddlers. That makes staff the largest cost in nearly every program. Programs that keep extra staff on hand, so teachers have time to plan, take breaks and give children individual attention, spend more.

Wages, training and retention

Teaching young children is skilled work. Programs that want to attract and keep experienced teachers need competitive pay, and many also offer benefits. Required training and ongoing professional development add to the cost. Low turnover matters to children, because consistent caregivers help them feel secure.

The building and grounds

Rent or mortgage, utilities, cleaning, repairs, playground upkeep and safety equipment all add up. Classrooms must meet licensing standards for space, sanitation and safety.

Supplies and materials

Books, art supplies, toys, furniture, cleaning products and classroom equipment wear out and need replacing. If a program provides meals or snacks, food is a significant cost too, and prices for many of these items have risen in recent years.

Insurance and compliance

Child care programs carry liability and property insurance, and premiums have been rising. Licensing, inspections, record keeping and staff background screening also take time and money.

Limited public funding

Unlike public elementary schools, most private child care is paid for largely through family tuition. Public programs such as VPK and financial assistance for eligible families cover part of the gap, but tuition remains the main source of funding for most programs.

What to ask about tuition and fees

Programs structure their costs differently, so ask each one the same questions:

• What does tuition include, and what costs extra?
• Are there registration, supply or activity fees, and when are they due?
• Is tuition billed weekly or monthly, and how is it paid?
• Do you charge for days the program is closed, for holidays or when my child is absent?
• Is there a fee for late pickup?
• Are meals and snacks provided, or do families send food?
• How often do rates change, and how much notice do families get?
• Is there a sibling policy?
• What is the withdrawal policy if our plans change?

Getting the answers in writing makes it easier to compare programs side by side.

Help paying for care in Florida

Free VPK for four-year-olds

Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten program is free for children who live in Florida and are 4 on or before September 1, regardless of family income, according to the Florida Department of Education. The school-year program provides 540 instructional hours, and the summer program provides 300 instructional hours.

VPK hours usually cover part of the day. The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County notes that most VPK programs offer full-day options for an additional cost. Our article on VPK hours and full-day care explains how the free hours and paid hours fit together.

Financial assistance for eligible families

The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County also has information on financial assistance for families who qualify. If cost is a concern, check whether your family is eligible before you rule out a program, and ask each provider how it works with families who receive assistance.

Looking at value, not only price

The least expensive option is not always the best value, and the most expensive is not always the best care. When you tour, look at what the tuition actually buys: how attentive and unhurried the teachers seem, how clean and well kept the rooms and outdoor areas are, and how clearly the program communicates. A program that is a good fit for your child and dependable for your family is worth weighing carefully against the cost.

Asking New Horizons about tuition

New Horizons Country Day School in Palm Harbor offers preschool and Florida VPK. To ask about tuition, fees and how VPK hours work at the school, call (727) 785-8591 or email office@newhorizonsprivateschool.com. You are also welcome to visit and ask in person.