How An Affordable Daycare Service Can Help Both You And Your Child

Raising children is a full-time job. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could have a little help along the way? Affordable daycare is an issue affecting millions of American parents today, causing many to seek out a day care center to help them with the day-to-day obligations that come with raising a healthy and happy child. A daycare service is more than just an environment to keep your child safe — rather, it’s an educational and social setting that allows them to thrive while you’re studying, working or attending to errands.

Childcare In America

Let’s take a look at how childcare services are being handled in the United States. More than two-thirds of Americans agree either the government or businesses should be doing more to provide child services for their workers, easing stress and allowing them flexibility in their working lives. Almost one-quarter (around 24%) of children under the age of five are in some form of child care or community support service — this includes, but is not limited to, day care centers, nurseries and preschool.

Cares And Costs

The cost of childcare has increased significantly over the past few years. A 2014 Pew Research Center report recently found that families earning less than $18,000 per year spend a stunning 40% of their income on childcare — compare this to all families which only spend around 8% of their income on a daycare service and related resources. The United States’ communities see at least 11 million children taking care of themselves after the school day ends, an occurrence that leaves many parents worried and scrambling.

Benefits Of Support

Carrying all the weight of taking care of a child can weigh on the entire family after a while. The early years of a child’s development matter the most due to their rate of development — over 700 new neural connections are formed every single second, meaning even a minor lapse in their healthy growth can have long-term consequences. Affordable daycare offers everything from reading sessions to playtime to creative activities, allowing them to grow and learn in a safe and supportive environment.

Social Child Development

Did you know only 22% of children in low-income families are receiving federally subsidized child care on a regular basis? Studies have also shown only six out of 10 kindergarten programs in America actually being open for full-day enrollees, meaning many parents only receive some support during the day when they need more hours. Fewer than one-in-three children today have a full-time, stay-at-home parent taking care of them — compare this to 1975, when half of all children had their parents at home on a regular basis.

Choosing Affordable Daycare

A local daycare service can mean a world of difference for both you and your child. A daycare center offers useful educational services as well as social adjustment and lessons, providing your children with the opportunity to socialize, learn useful skills and have plenty of fun. Even if you’re unable to find a full-day daycare center service, a few hours can still have a notable, long-term impact on your child’s physical, mental and emotional development. Give yourself a break and give your child a fun and active resource — enroll them in a local affordable daycare service today.