Parents and the High Cost of Child Care … · 2 Child Care Costs Are High Compared to College Costs ÙÙIn 40 states, the average annual cost for center- based care for an infant

Parents and the High Cost of Child Care2010 Update

August 2010

Parents and the High Cost of Child Care2010 Update

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Acknowledgements

NACCRRA is grateful to the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) staff in the State Networks and in the local CCR&Rs who took the time to submit data to update this report. Without their annual assistance, this report would not be possible. Many NACCRRA staff contributed to this report. Michael Agosta compiled the data with assistance from interns, Kim Kober and George E. Stewart III. Linda K. Smith and Grace Reef provided general guidance and ongoing support. Rosemary Kendall wrote the report, and Theresa Klisz was responsible for the final editing. Patricia Sadiq developed the graphics and the final report.

About NACCRRA

NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, is our nation’s leading voice for child care. We work with more than 700 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. These agencies help ensure that families in 99 percent of all populated ZIP codes in the United States have access to high-quality, affordable child care. To achieve our mission, we lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, undertake research and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about NACCRRA and how you can join us in ensuring access to high-quality child care for all families, visit us at www.naccrra.org.

Copyright © 2010 by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form—except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical article or reviews—without prior written permission from NACCRRA.

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Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i

About NACCRRA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i

List of Figures and Tables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Executive Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Key Points From the Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Child Care Is a Major Expense for Families . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9A Closer Look at Child Care Affordability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Child Care Costs are High Compared to Household Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Child Care Costs are High Compared to Other Household Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Child Care Costs Exceed College Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10The Most and Least Affordable States for Child Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Family Child Care Homes Are Less Expensive, But the Quality of Care Is Unknown in Many . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Urban Child Care Is More Expensive Than Rural Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Accredited Child Care Programs Cost More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Single Parents and Parents Living at the Poverty Level Struggle with Child Care Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Families Living in Poverty Are Not the Only Families Who Struggle with Child Care Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Conclusion and Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Appendix 1: 2009 Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Care by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Appendix 2: Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care

in a Center for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28Appendix 3: 2009 Ranking of Affordability of Child Care for an Infant in a Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Appendix 4: 2009 Ranking of Affordability of Child Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Appendix 5: 2009 Ranking of Affordability for Child Care for a School-Age Child in a Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Appendix 6: 2009 Average Child Care Center Costs and Median Housing Costs by State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36Appendix 7: Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care in a Family Child Care Home

for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Appendix 8: 2009 Average Annual Costs of Full-Time Child Care in a Center and

Public College Tuition and Fees by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Appendix 9: 2009 Urban and Rural Costs for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children in a Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Appendix 10: 2009 Ranking of Affordability of Center Care for Single Mothers with Two Children in Care . . . . . . . 44Appendix 11: 2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for an Infant Compared to Varying Poverty Levels . . . . 46Appendix 12: 2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for a 4-Year-Old Child

Compared to Varying Poverty Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Appendix 13: Licensing Thresholds for Children in Family Child Care Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Table of Contents

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List of Figures and Tables

List of Figures

Figure 1: 2009 Costs for an Infant in Center-Based Care as a Percentage of Two-Parent Median Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Figure 2: 2009 Costs for Center-Based Care for a 4-Year-Old Child as a Percentage of Two-Parent Median Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Figure 3: 2009 Monthly Child Care Costs and Household Expenditures by Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

List of Tables

Table 1: Top 10 Least Affordable States for Center-Based Infant Care in 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Table 2: Top 10 Least Affordable States for Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center in 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Table 3: Top 10 Least Affordable States for a School-Age Child in a Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Table 4: Comparison of Annual Child Care Costs for 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Table 5: Top 10 States with Largest Cost Difference Between the Cost of Urban Care

and Rural Care for an Infant in a Center in 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Table 6: Top 10 States with the Largest Cost Difference Between the Cost of Urban Care

and Rural Care for a 4-Year-Old in a Center in 2009. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Table 7: 2009 Child Care Costs for a Family of Three as a Percent of Income Based on

the 2009 Federal Poverty Thresholds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

1

Executive Summary

Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2010 Update presents 2009 data about child care costs collected through a survey conducted in January 2010 that asked for the average costs charged for child care for infants, 4-year-old children and school-age children in child care centers and family child care homes in every state. The information was provided by Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) State Networks and local agencies that maintain data about child care programs in the communities they serve. The District of Columbia is referred to as a state for the purpose of this report.

Child Care Costs Are High

The average cost of full-time child care for an infant ÙÙin a center in 2009 ranged from more than $4,550 in Mississippi to more than $18,750 in Massachusetts.

The average cost of care for full-time care for a ÙÙ4-year-old child in a center, ranged from more than $4,050 in Mississippi to more than $13,150 a year in Massachusetts.

The average cost of care for a school-age child ÙÙfor part-time care in a center ranged from more than $2,150 in Mississippi to more than $10,000 in New York.

The average annual cost for full-time care in a ÙÙfamily child care home for an infant ranged from more than $3,550 in South Carolina to more than $11,900 in Massachusetts.

The average annual cost for full-time care in a ÙÙfamily child care home for a 4-year-old child ranged from more than $3,750 in Mississippi to more than $11,450 in Massachusetts.

The average annual cost for part-time care in a family ÙÙchild care home for a school-age child ranged from more than $1,800 in Mississippi to more than $9,400 in New York.

Child Care Costs Are Rising

Since 2000, the cost of child care has increased ÙÙtwice as fast as the median income of families with children.

In 25 states, the increase in the cost of infant care ÙÙin a center far exceeded the rate of inflation.

The average increase among all states in the cost ÙÙof care for a 4-year-old in a center exceeded the rate of inflation.

Child Care Costs Are High Compared to Family Income

In 36 states, the average annual cost of center-based ÙÙinfant care exceeded 10 percent of the state’s median income for a two-parent family.

In New York, the average annual cost of center-based ÙÙcare for a school-age child exceeded 12 percent of state median income – for part-time care.

Child Care Costs Are High Compared to Household Expenses

In every U.S. region, the average center-based child ÙÙcare fees for an infant exceeded the average annual amount that families spent on food.

Center-based child care fees for an infant exceeded ÙÙthe average annual rent payments in 24 states.

Center-based child care fees for two children (an ÙÙinfant and a 4-year-old) exceeded the average annual rent and mortgage payments in 18 states.

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Child Care Costs Are High Compared to College Costs

In 40 states, the average annual cost for center-ÙÙbased care for an infant was higher than a year’s tuition and related fees at a four-year public college.

Least-Affordable States for Child Care

The report ranks the 10 least-affordable states for care in a center, based on the cost of child care as a percentage of the state median income for a two-parent family.

The 10 least-affordable states for full-time infant care in a center were Massachusetts (where the cost of infant care was as high as 18.1 percent of family income), New York, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Oregon, Illinois, Indiana, Washington and Wisconsin.

The 10 least-affordable states for full-time care for a 4-year-old in a center were Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Montana, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Children Need Quality Child Care, Even in a Recession

The current economic recession makes child care choices even more difficult for parents. CCR&Rs report that parents are moving their children from licensed programs to informal child care settings. These options may be less expensive, but they are of unknown quality. There is no check for basic health and safety standards and other practices that promote healthy child development.

NACCRRA is concerned about whether children will be safe and will start school with the skills to succeed.

Full-time employment among families with children under age 6 and among families with school-age children ages 6 to 12 has declined since 2008. While full-time employment is lower, part-time employment has increased.

Care during nontraditional hours, part-time care and temporary care are all difficult to find and consequently tend to be more expensive.

The high cost of child care forces parents to make difficult decisions. Parents want high-quality child care for their children. Unfortunately, safety, health and school readiness comes at a cost that many parents cannot afford.

NACCRRA Recommendations

NACCRRA makes the following recommendations:

Increase investments in child care fee assistance ÙÙand in quality improvement efforts.

Provide resources for expanding child care capacity ÙÙto meet the child care needs for working families.

Reduce barriers that prevent families from easily ÙÙaccessing child care fee assistance.

Meet the child care needs of working families by ÙÙensuring that publicly funded prekindergarten and Head Start programs make full-day, year-round child care services available.

Design a system of child care that helps families at all ÙÙincome levels have access to affordable, high-quality child care.

Improve state and federal tax credits and deductions ÙÙto help all families pay for child care.

Require the U.S. Department of Health and Human ÙÙServices, in conjunction with the National Academy of Sciences, to determine the cost of quality child care and report back to Congress.

All families should have access to healthy, safe, affordable child care that supports their children’s growth and development.

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Child care is essential for the economy and for the family. Safe, affordable, nurturing child care allows parents to concentrate on their jobs, and it helps their children learn the social, emotional, intellectual and physical skills needed to succeed in school. Each week more than 11 million children under age 5 are in some type of child care setting.1

Finding affordable, accessible, high-quality child care is one of the most difficult challenges that parents face. The current economic recession makes child care choices even more difficult. The number of mothers working full-time who have school-age children or children younger than age 6 declined from 2008 to 2009, whereas the number of working mothers in both groups working part-time has increased.

Working Mothers in the Current Economy

For Mothers with Children Younger Than Age 6:

Employment was down in 2009 (57.8 percent) Ùcompared to 2008 (59.5 percent).

Full-time employment declined by 328,000 from Ù6.9 million in 2008 to 6.6 million in 2009. The number of mothers working part-time increased from 2.6 million in 2008 to 2.7 million in 2009.

Unemployment increased from 7.1 percent in 2008 to Ù10 percent in 2009.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Working Mothers in the Current Economy

For Mothers with School-Age Children:

Employment was down in 2009 (71.8 percent) Ùcompared to 2008 (73.8 percent).

Full-time employment declined from 11.6 million Ùin 2008 to 10.7 million in 2009. Part-time employment increased from 3.3 million in 2008 to 3.48 million in 2009.

Unemployment increased from 4.5 percent Ùin 2008 to 7.1 percent in 2009.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Care during nontraditional hours, part-time care and temporary care are all difficult to find and consequently tend to be more expensive.

This 2010 update of Parents and the High Cost of Child Care updates data originally gathered in 2006 and updated on an annual basis thereafter. The report shows that costs for child care centers and family child care homes continue to rise. Since 2000, the cost of child care has increased twice as fast as the median income of families with children.2

Parents who choose child care in a center or a family child care home must pay a significant part of their income for this care. Low- and middle-income parents have limited access to affordable, quality care.

Unlike free public education for children in kindergarten through grade 12, or tuition assistance for college students, there is no universal financing structure to help underwrite the cost of child care. The average annual cost of infant care in a center exceeds the cost of public college tuition and related fees in 40 states.

Child care in the United States is primarily considered a workforce support for families rather than education for young children. Unlike the federal approach to higher education, where the amount that students and their

Introduction

6

families are expected to contribute to tuition is based on a family’s financial situation, paying for child care is seen as solely the responsibility of parents.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that parents spend no more than 10 percent of their family income on child care.3 Yet, as this 2010 report shows, nationally the cost of full-time care for an infant in a center ranges between 7 to 18 percent of the median income for married-couple families with children.

In 36 states, the cost of center-based care for an infant exceeds 10 percent of state median income for a married couple. For single parents, the cost of center-based infant care exceeds 10 percent of median income in every state. Costs range from 66.9 percent of income in Massachusetts to 26.3 percent in Mississippi.

Child care costs are even more of a strain on the budget for parents with more than one child not old enough to be in public school.

Most government money for child care is allocated to the states through the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to provide subsidies to families with low incomes to better afford child care. Unfortunately, a very small percentage of eligible children receive fee assistance.

The Government Accountability Office released a report in May 2010 that found the number of children receiving assistance between FY2006 and FY2008 (the most recent available data) declined by 170,000 children (10 percent). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that only 17 percent of eligible children receive fee assistance.4

Marla from California works two jobs and struggles with the high cost of child care for her two children.

She is eligible for child care assistance, but to date her children remain on California’s waiting list with 196,460 other children.

Every day, Marla hopes the names of her children will rise to the top so that she can receive some help to make child care more affordable.

Source: California Department of Education, 2009 Centralized Eligibility List Status Report (April 1 to June 30, 2009)

The high cost of care forces many families to make difficult choices. Some parents sacrifice the quality of care their children receive to find affordable care. Others create informal, makeshift arrangements for child care.

CCR&Rs report that parents are moving their children from licensed programs to informal child care settings. These options may be less expensive, but they are of unknown quality. There is no check for basic health and safety standards and other practices that promote healthy child development.

The hidden costs for informal child care can be high: children can arrive at kindergarten without the skills they need; accidents can happen because caregivers do not follow standard health and safety procedures; or in the absence of background checks, children can be in the care of people with a history of violent offenses, which could jeopardize their safety.

A report released by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) in May 2010 found that quality child care has a long-lasting impact on a child’s development, behavior and cognitive abilities. Even 10 years after children have left child care, quality child care is still related to higher academic achievement. One of the most important findings from the study is that quality child care has a lasting impact on middle-income and affluent children, not just low-income children.5

Methodology: In January 2010, NACCRRA surveyed CCR&R State Networks and local CCR&Rs about 2009 cost data related to the price of child care for infants, 4-year-old children and school-age children in child care centers and family child care homes in their states. Note: the District of Columbia is referred to as a state for the purpose of this report. NACCRRA was not able to collect cost data from Nebraska and New Mexico, and therefore all tables and appendices in this report use annual child care cost data from 2008 for these two states. In addition, the cost data from California is derived from the Statewide Regional Market Rate Survey (RMR) of California child care providers, which is only updated every two years. Therefore, the most recent data available for California is the same for 2008 and 2009. As a result data on the percentage change in Nebraska, New Mexico, and California are not available between 2008 and 2009. South Dakota data are for urban areas.

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Child Care Is a Major Expense for Families

Fast facts:

The Cost Is High

In 2009, the average annual cost of full-time child ÙÙcare for an infant in a center ranged from $4,560 in Mississippi to $18,773 in Massachusetts.

In 2009, the average cost for center-based infant ÙÙcare exceeded $10,000 a year in 16 states.

The Cost Is Rising

In 30 states, the cost of care for an infant in a child ÙÙcare center rose between 2008 and 2009. In 25 of those states, the rate of increase far exceeded the inflation rate of 2.7 percent.6

Among states with an increase in the cost of ÙÙcenter-based infant care between 2008 and 2009, the average cost increase was 5.8 percent.

In 2009, the average annual cost of full-time ÙÙchild care for a 4-year-old in a center ranged from $4,056 in Mississippi to $13,158 in Massachusetts.

In 34 states, the cost of care for a 4-year-old in ÙÙa child care center rose between 2008 and 2009. In 32 of those states, the rate of increase exceeded the inflation rate of 2.7 percent.7

For a 4-year-old in a center, states reported an ÙÙoverall average cost increase of 2.9 percent between 2008 and 2009, outstripping increases in the annual rate of inflation of 2.7 percent.

Among states with an increase in the cost of center-ÙÙbased care for 4-year-olds, the average cost increase was 7 percent.

In 2009, the average annual cost of full-time center-ÙÙbased care for a school-age child ranged from $2,160 in Mississippi to $10,400 in New York.

Although school-age children are in care part time, ÙÙin 13 states there was less than a $1,000 difference between the cost of care for a school-age child and the cost of care for a 4-year-old in attendance all day.

A Closer Look at Child Care Affordability

Child care programs are doing what they can to keep costs affordable to families. To make the economics work, they need to cover the costs of operating a center or family child care while charging rates that families in the community can pay. This is a challenge.

Some child care programs are adapting to the economy by expanding the number of hours that they are open, offering parents part-time hours, increasing child-to-staff-ratios and group sizes, cutting back on workforce training, closing classrooms and delaying improvements such as ground cover for playgrounds.8

Wanda is a child care provider in Florida. She was almost forced to close her business when families removed their children from her program and new families did not enroll.

To compensate for vacancies, she now stays open until 11:30 p.m. to help parents who work nights. She hopes she will not have to close, but her program is only half-full.

Like many service industries, about 80 percent of the cost in a child care program is for payroll and related expenses. The major way to control the budget is to control salaries. However, despite the tremendous responsibilities child care providers assume, child care remains one of the lowest paying professional fields. The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour,9 and the average income for a full-time child care worker is $9.70/hour.10

The average annual costs for infant care are higher than those for a 4-year-old because infants require more personal care. States recognize this difference by setting

Key Points From The Data

10

standards that require a smaller child-to-staff ratio and a smaller group size for infants compared to 4-year-old children.

The average annual costs for care for a school-age child are lower than the cost of infant care and care for a 4-year-old because school-age children spend fewer hours in care, and state licensing standards permit a higher child-to-staff ratio and larger group sizes for school-age children.

Appendix 1 shows the 2009 average annual cost of full-time care in a child care center and a family child care home for infants, 4-year-old children and school-age children by state. Appendix 2 shows the average annual cost and percentage change from 2008 to 2009 by state.

Child Care Costs are High Compared to Household Income

Fast facts:

In 2009, in 36 states, the average annual cost of ÙÙinfant care in a center exceeded 10 percent of the median household income for a two-parent family.

In 2009, in 14 states, the average annual cost of care ÙÙfor a 4-year-old in a center exceeded 10 percent of the median household income for a two-parent family.

In 2009, in New York, the average annual cost of ÙÙcare for a school-age child in a center was $10,400. This exceeded 12 percent of the state’s median income for a two-parent family.

Child Care Costs are High Compared to Other Household Expenses

In 2009, in every region of the United States, the ÙÙaverage child care fees for an infant were higher than the average annual amount spent on food.

In 2009, center-based child care fees for an infant ÙÙexceeded average annual rent payments in 24 states.

In 2009, child care fees for two children (an infant ÙÙand a 4-year-old) in a child care center exceeded annual median rent and mortgage payments in 18 states.

Jennifer and her husband live from paycheck to paycheck in Missouri. Their income is too high to be eligible for assistance with child care fees from the state.

All of the child care that Jennifer has looked at costs as much, if not more, than her mortgage.

She wishes she could receive help to make child care more affordable.

Child Care Costs Exceed College Costs

In 2009, in 40 states, the average annual cost for an ÙÙinfant in center-based care was higher than a year’s tuition and fees at a four-year public college.

In 2009, in Massachusetts, the annual cost for an ÙÙinfant in center-based care exceeded the cost of a year’s tuition and fees at a public college by $9,533.

In 2009, in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, ÙÙNew York and Wyoming, the average annual cost for an infant in center-based care was more than double the average cost of college tuition.

Appendix 8 shows the 2009 average annual cost of full-time child care in a center for an infant, a 4-year-old child and a school-age child compared to public college tuition and fees by state.

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The Most- and Least-Affordable States for Child Care

To better understand the impact of child care fees on a family’s budget, NACCRRA compared the state average cost of full-time child care in a center for an infant, a 4-year-old and a school-age child with the state median income for two-parent families and for single mothers.

The average cost of care was calculated as a percentage of state median income (American Community Survey 2007, U.S. Census Bureau) and the states were ranked from least affordable to most affordable. The least-affordable state had the highest child care cost compared to the state median income of two-parent families. This does not mean that the least-affordable state had the most expensive child care, only that the cost of care as a percentage of median income was highest among all states.

In 2009, Massachusetts was the least-affordable state ÙÙfor center-based infant care. The cost was 18.1 percent of state median income.

Table 1 shows the top 10 least-affordable states in 2009 for center-based infant care. The cost of care is compared to state median income for a single mother family and for a two-parent family. The ranking of affordability is based on the cost of care compared to state median income for a two-parent family. See Appendix 3 for a complete listing of 2009 rankings of affordability for child care for an infant in a center.

Table 1

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for Center-Based Infant Care in 2009(Ranked by Child Care Cost as a Percentage of Two-Parent Family Income)

StateAverage Annual

Cost of Full-Time Infant Care

State Median Income for Single Mother Family*

Child Care as a Percentage of

State Median Income for Single

Mother Family

State Median Income for a Two-Parent

Family*

Child Care as a Percentage of State Median

Income for Two-Parent Family

Rank (Based on Percentage

of Two-Parent Family Income)

Massachusetts $18,773 $28,065 66.9% $103,794 18.1% 1

New York $13,676 $25,847 52.9% $86,735 15.8% 2

Minnesota $13,650 $27,070 50.4% $87,698 15.6% 3

Colorado $12,044 $27,243 44.2% $82,159 14.7% 4

California $11,580 $28,579 40.5% $81,794 14.2% 5

Oregon $9,936 $23,263 42.7% $73,193 13.6% 6

Illinois $11,353 $25,815 44.0% $84,196 13.5% 7

Indiana $9,927 $23,579 42.1% $74,120 13.4% 8

Washington $11,106 $26,132 42.5% $83,059 13.4% 8

Wisconsin $10,520 $24,781 42.5% $79,615 13.2% 10

*Source: American Community Survey 2007. U.S. Census Bureau

Note: Affordability is a comparison of cost against state median income

12

Figure 1 shows the most- and least-expensive states for center-based infant care in 2009 as a percentage of state median income for a two-parent family. States are separated into four categories: least expensive, third tier, second tier and most expensive states.

Figure 1

2009 Costs for an Infant in Center-Based Care as a Percentage of Two-Parent Median Income

Least expensive states

Third tier states

Second tier states

Most expensive states

Table 2 shows the 10 least-affordable states in 2009 for center-based care for a 4-year-old child. The cost of care is compared to state median income for a single mother family and a two-parent family. The ranking of affordability is based on the cost of care compared to state median income for a two-parent family. See Appendix 4 for a complete listing of 2009 rankings of affordability for child care for a 4-year-old in a center.

Table 2

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center in 2009(Ranked by Child Care Cost as a Percentage of Two-Parent Family Income)

State

Average Annual Cost of Full-Time

Care for a 4-Year-Old Child



Income for Single Mother Family

State Median Income for a Two-

Parent Family*

Child Care as a Percentage of State Median Income for a

Two-Parent Family

Rank (Based on Percentage of Two-Parent Family Income)

Massachusetts $13,158 $28,065 46.9% $103,794 12.7% 1

New York $10,847 $25,847 42.0% $86,735 12.5% 2

Minnesota $10,250 $27,070 37.9% $87,698 11.7% 3

Wisconsin $9,039 $24,781 36.5% $79,615 11.4% 4

Colorado $8,816 $27,243 32.4% $82,159 10.7% 5

Maine $7,606 $21,605 35.2% $70,912 10.7% 5

Pennsylvania $8,632 $24,657 35.0% $81,018 10.7% 5

Montana $6,911 $19,828 34.9% $65,439 10.6% 8

Rhode Island $9,270 $25,738 36.0% $88,015 10.5% 9

Vermont $7,904 $26,700 29.6% $76,667 10.3% 10


Note: Affordability is a comparison of cost against state median income

13

Figure 2 shows the most-expensive and least-expensive states for 4-year-old care in a center in 2009 as a percentage of state median income for a two-parent family. States are separated into four categories: least expensive, third tier, second tier and most expensive states.

Figure 2

2009 Costs for Center-Based Care for a 4-Year-Old Child as a Percentage of Two-Parent Median Income

Least expensive states

Third tier states

Second tier states

Most expensive states

Table 3 shows the 10 least-affordable states in 2009 for school-age care in a center. The cost of care is compared to state median income for a single mother family and a two-parent family. The ranking of affordability is based on the cost of care compared to state median income for a two-parent family. See Appendix 5 for a complete listing of 2009 rankings of affordability for center-based school-age care.

Table 3

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for a School-Age Child in a Center

StateAverage

Annual Cost of School-Age Care



Income for Single Mother Family

State Median Income

for a Two-Parent Family*

Cost of Care as a Percentage

of State Median Income for a

Two-Parent Family


of Two-Parent Family Income)

New York $10,400 $25,847 40.2% $86,735 12.0% 1

Montana $6,911 $19,828 34.9% $65,439 10.6% 2

Wisconsin $8,223 $24,781 33.2% $79,615 10.3% 3

Hawaii $8,364 $30,490 27.4% $85,317 9.8% 4

Vermont $7,228 $26,700 27.1% $76,667 9.4% 5

Indiana $6,940 $23,579 29.4% $74,120 9.4% 5

Ohio $6,681 $21,983 30.4% $77,813 8.6% 7

Rhode Island $7,403 $25,738 28.8% $88,015 8.4% 8

Arizona $6,085 $27,091 22.5% $73,039 8.3% 9

Alaska $7,380 $32,884 22.4% $89,028 8.3% 9


Note: Affordability is a comparison of cost against state median income. Seven states did not report data about school-age child care in 2009.

14

Figure 3 compares average monthly costs for center care to other average monthly household expenses in four regions of the country: Northeast, Midwest, South and West.

Figure 3

2009 Monthly Child Care Costs and Household Expenditures by Region

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* Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

* Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

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*South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

*Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Notes: Average monthly child care costs are based on care in a center, and care for two children is based on one infant and one 4-year-old child in a center. Regional averages of costs are not adjusted for cost of living, type of area, or by any other factors. Mortgage and rent based on median monthly rent and mortgage payments are from the American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, 2007. Monthly college tuition costs based on one year’s tuition and fees at a public four-year college, “Trends in College Pricing,” College Board, 2008-2009. Other monthly household expenses (adjusted for inflation) are from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007-2008. ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/ce/region/y0708/region.txt

Appendix 6 shows the 2009 average annual child care center costs and for an infant, a 4-year-old, and a school-age child and for two children (an infant and a 4-year-old). It also shows monthly and annualized mortgage payments and monthly

15

and annualized rent payments by state. Appendix 7 shows the 2009 average annual costs of full-time center-based care and public college tuition and fees by state.

Family Child Care Homes Are Less Expensive, But the Quality of Care Is Unknown In Many

Although the cost of care in a family child care home is less expensive than care in a center, the quality of care that children receive in many child care homes is unknown because licensing requirements vary greatly by state and so much care is exempt from licensing regulation and oversight.

For example, 24 states allow providers to care for five or more children before a license is required.11 South Dakota allows the largest number of children per family child care home without any health and safety standards or oversight, setting the licensing threshold at 13, so that providers in South Dakota may provide care for 12 children without a license.12

Family child care homes that do not trigger state licensing requirements are not mandated to meet the most basic standards such as health and safety standards, background checks and training requirements. Unlicensed care is not inspected: Therefore, the health and safety of children in this type of care cannot be evaluated and is unknown. Appendix 13 shows the licensing thresholds for children in family child care homes.

Thirty-nine states exempt at least some family child care homes from child care licensing requirements.13

Fast facts:

In 2009, the average annual cost of care for an infant ÙÙin a family child care home ranged from $3,582 in South Carolina to $11,940 in Massachusetts.

In 2009, the average annual cost of care for a 4-year-ÙÙold in a family child care home ranged from $3,380 in Mississippi to $11,475 in Massachusetts.

In 2009, the average annual cost for two children ÙÙ(an infant and a 4-year-old) in a family child care home ranged from $7,280 in Mississippi to $23,145 in Massachusetts.

In 2009, the cost difference between a family child ÙÙcare home and center-based care for two children (an infant and a 4-year-old) in Massachusetts was $8,516 a year or $710 per month.

Appendix 7 shows the average annual cost and percentage change in each state for full-time care in a family child care home for infants and 4-year-old children.

Table 4 shows a comparison of highest and lowest annual child care costs of a family child care home and a child care center for families with either an infant or a 4-year-old in care; families with both an infant and a 4-year-old child in care; and families with two preschool-age children in care (for example, a 3-year-old and a 4½ -year-old).

Table 4

Comparison of Annual Child Care Costs for 2009

Type of Care

One Child in Care Two Children in Care

Infant 4-Year-Old ChildOne Infant and One

4-Year-Old-ChildTwo Preschool-Age Children

(Using 4-Year-Old Cost)

Low High Low High Low High Low High

Family Child Care Home

S.C. $3,582

Mass. $11,940

Miss. $3,380

Mass. $11,475

Miss. $7,280

Mass. $23,415

Miss. $6,760

Mass. $22,850

Child Care Center

Miss. $4,560

Mass. $18,773

Miss. $4,056

Mass. $13,158

Miss. $8,616

Mass. $31,931

Miss. $8,112

Mass. $26,316

16

Urban Child Care Is More Expensive Than Rural Care

Parents in urban areas paid dramatically more for child care than parents in rural areas. An urban area is defined as a population cluster of 50,000 or more people.14

Parents in rural areas typically have fewer child care options (fewer child care centers and licensed-care providers) and therefore rely more often on informal, and often unlicensed, child care from neighbors and friends than urban parents.15 Appendix 9 shows the 2009 average annual cost for infants and 4-year-old children in an urban and rural child care center for the 34 states that listed this data.

Fast facts:

In 2009, the average annual cost in urban areas ÙÙfor center-based infant care was generally $2,247 more than the average annual cost for rural care.

In 2009, parents with 4-year-olds in a center in an ÙÙurban area paid an average of $1,369 more annually than parents in rural areas.

Virginia reported the widest cost disparity between ÙÙurban and rural costs for both an infant and a 4-year-old in a center. Parents in an urban area in Virginia paid $8,892 more annually for care for an infant and $6,812 more for care for a 4-year-old than parents in a rural area.

Table 5 shows the 10 states with the largest percentage difference in 2009 between the annual cost of urban care and rural care for an infant in a child care center.

Table 5

Top 10 States with the Largest Cost Difference Between the Cost of Urban* Care And Rural Care for an Infant in a Center in 2009

StateAverage Annual Cost for

Urban CareAverage Annual Cost

for Rural CareDollar Difference Between

Urban and Rural Care

Difference in Cost of Urban Care as a

Percentage of Rural Care

Virginia $14,612 $5,720 $8,892 155.5%

Oregon $10,752 $5,028 $5,724 113.8%

Pennsylvania $12,800 $8,015 $4,785 59.7%

Ohio $10,294 $6,533 $3,761 57.6%

Minnesota $14,400 $9,300 $5,100 54.8%

Maryland $12,534 $8,192 $4,342 53.0%

Georgia $7,169 $4,765 $2,404 50.5%

Hawaii $12,084 $8,100 $3,984 49.2%

Arkansas $6,747 $4,793 $1,954 40.8%

Nevada $9,484 $6,749 $2,735 40.5%

* “Urban area” is defined as a population cluster of 50,000 or more people, based on the U.S. Census definition of “Urban Area or Urban Cluster.”

17

Table 6 shows the top 10 states with the largest percentage difference in 2009 between the annual cost of urban care and rural care for a 4-year-old in a child care center.

Accredited Child Care Programs

Accreditation represents a higher standard of care than state licensing standards. To achieve accreditation, early care and education programs are assessed on an array of quality standards and criteria by a nationally recognized or state-approved accrediting body.

Accredited care requires higher levels of staff training and education, lower staff-to-child ratios and smaller group sizes. Studies show that staff with higher levels of training in child development provide higher quality care. Lower ratios and smaller group size are related to quality because providers have more frequent and better interactions with the children. It is generally more expensive to provide accredited care due in part to increased personnel costs.

Fast facts:

In 2009, the cost of accredited center-based care for ÙÙan infant in Arkansas was $6,605. In Rhode Island, the cost was $11,762.

In 2009, the cost of accredited care for a 4-year-old ÙÙchild in Idaho was $6,615. In the District of Columbia it was $11,762.

Table 6

Top 10 States with the Largest Cost Difference Between the Cost of Urban* Careand Rural Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center in 2009

StateAverage Annual Cost for

Urban CareAverage Annual Cost for

Rural CareDollar Difference Between


Difference in Cost of Urban Care as a


Virginia $12,272 $5,460 $6,812 124.8%

Oregon $8,220 $4,320 $3,900 90.3%

Arkansas $5,765 $3,943 $1,822 46.2%

Maryland $8,200 $5,713 $2,487 43.5%

Ohio $8,106 $5,767 $2,339 40.6%

Minnesota $10,700 $7,650 $3,050 39.9%

Georgia $6,089 $4,398 $1,691 38.4%

Indiana $7,241 $5,317 $1,924 36.2%

Missouri $6,130 $4,590 $1,540 33.6%

Delaware $8,060 $6,058 $2,002 33.0%

*“Urban area” is defined as a population cluster of 50,000 or more people, based on the U.S. Census definition of “Urban Area or Urban Cluster.”

19

Single Parents and Parents Living at the Poverty Level Struggle with Child Care Costs

Single parents struggle to pay for child care. In many cases, the average cost of child care is far out of reach for a single parent, especially for those with two or more children.

Mothers earning below the poverty level set by the federal government ($18,310 in 2009 for a family of three for most states16) struggle to pay for child care. Although these parents would qualify for publically funded child care subsidy payments, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that only 17 percent of eligible children receive child care fee assistance.17

Fast Facts:

The average annual cost of center-based infant ÙÙcare compared to state median income for a single mother was 36.4 percent.

The average annual cost of center-based care for a ÙÙ4-year-old child compared to state median single-mother income was 29.1 percent.

The average annual cost of center-based care for an ÙÙinfant is nearly half (48.7 percent) of the income of a two-parent family living at the poverty level ($18,310).

Families in Mississippi living in poverty pay one-ÙÙquarter of their income for center-based care for an infant. The cost of child care compared to the poverty

level is lowest in Mississippi – for all other states, the percentage of income needed to pay for center-based infant care exceeds 25 percent.

The average annual cost of center-based care for ÙÙa 4-year-old is 40 percent of the income of a two-parent family living at the poverty level ($18,310).

Massachusetts families living in poverty cannot afford ÙÙcenter-based infant care. The cost exceeds their income.

The range for the cost of center-based infant care ÙÙcompared to the poverty level is 25 percent of income, rising to 102.5 percent. The range for center-based infant care compared to 200 percent of the poverty level is 12.4 percent to 51.2 percent. It is unlikely these families can use center-based care unless they receive fee assistance. The cost as a percentage of their income is just too high.

The range for the cost of center-based care for ÙÙa 4-year-old compared to the poverty level is 22 percent, rising to 71 percent. The range for center-based care for a 4-year-old compared to 200 percent of the poverty level is 11 percent, rising to 36 percent. This means it is unlikely these families can choose to use center-based care unless they receive fee assistance. The cost as a percentage of their income (taking into consideration other costs like rent or mortgage, food, car payments and insurance, etc) is just too high.

20

Appendix 10 shows the ranking of affordability of center care for single mothers with an infant, or a 4-year-old, or a school-age child or with two children (an infant and a 4-year-old child) in care in 2009.

Families Living in Poverty Are Not the Only Families Who Struggle with Child Care Costs

Fast Facts:

The average cost for center-based child care is 24.3 ÙÙpercent of income for families living at 200 percent of the poverty level ($36,620).

The average annual cost of center-based care for an ÙÙinfant is one-quarter (24.3 percent) of the income of a two-parent family living at 200 percent of the poverty level ($36,620).

The average annual cost of center-based care for ÙÙa 4-year-old is about one-fifth (20 percent) of the income of a two-parent family living at 200 percent of the poverty level ($36,620).

Families in Massachusetts living at 200 percent of ÙÙthe poverty level pay 51.2 percent of their income for center-based infant care.

Families in Mississippi living at 200 percent of the ÙÙpoverty level pay 12.4 percent of their income for center-based care for an infant. Of all states, the cost of child care compared to 200 percent of the poverty level is lowest in Mississippi – for all other states, the percentage of income to pay for center-based infant care is higher than 12.4 percent.

Appendix 11 shows the average annual cost of child care in every state as a percentage of the federal poverty level, 150 percent of the federal poverty level, and 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

Table 7 shows the average percent of income required for child care costs for a two-parent family with an infant and with a 4-year-old for families with incomes at the federal poverty level and at 200 percent of the federal poverty level. It also includes information about the state with the lowest percent of income paid and the state with the highest percent of income paid for each age category.

Table 7

2009 Child Care Costs for a Family of Three as a Percent of Income Based on the 2009 Federal Poverty Thresholds

Type of Care Percent of Income

Percent of Income for Two-Parent Family

Earning at the Federal Poverty Level ($18,310)

Percent of Income for Two-Parent Family Earning

at 200 Percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($36,620)

Full-time Care for One Infant in a Center

Average Percent of Income Paid Nationally 48.6% 24.3%

Minimum Percent of Income Paid (State) 25% (Miss.) 12.4% (Miss.)

Maximum Percent of Income Paid (State) 102.5% (Mass.) 51.2% (Mass.)

Full-time Care for One 4 Year-Old in a Center

Average Percent of Income Paid Nationally 39% 19.5%

Minimum Percent of Income Paid (State) 22% (Miss.) 11% (Miss.)

Maximum Percent of Income Paid (State) 71% (Mass.) 36% (Mass.)

Note: Based on State average costs compared to federal poverty thresholds. The poverty thresholds are based on a family of three. For purposes of this table, we are assuming that a family of three includes two parents.

23

The high cost of child care forces many parents to make difficult decisions. Parents want quality child care for their children. They also know the importance of safe, stable, stimulating environments to support their children’s development.18 Unfortunately, safety, health and school readiness come at a cost that many parents cannot afford.

Parents and the High Cost of Child Care: 2010 Update details the economic challenge working American families face in paying for child care. It offers recommendations for states and the federal government to improve the affordability of child care.

Child Care Resource and Referral agencies throughout the country report that some parents have responded to the current economic climate by removing their children from licensed child care centers or family child care homes. NACCRRA is concerned that this means children may be in settings where providers have no training in health and safety practices, do not engage children in activities promoting school-readiness, and have not had a background check, potentially leading to children in an unsafe setting.

It is essential that the federal government, as well as state governments, assist more families with affording the cost of quality child care so more families do not have to use informal arrangements where children’s safety and healthy development could be jeopardized.

Working families earning low incomes have very few choices without assistance, but many families earning higher incomes are also struggling with the high cost of child care.

Recent research by NICHD shows that even 10 years after children have left child care, quality care is still related to higher academic achievement for families of all income levels. It is time for the federal government to design a system to underwrite the cost of child care so that all families, not just wealthy ones, can afford quality child care.

Related research needed: NACCRRA’s survey collected only the cost parents are paying for care in child care centers and family child care homes.

Research needs to be done to determine the cost and quality of license-exempt child care to gain a better understanding of these settings, including children’s safety and school readiness.

The NICHD study looked at 15-year-old children and their academic achievement compared to the child care settings they had as young children. Maybe it is time to look at the child care settings that high school drop-outs had as young children and determine if there is a pattern.

There are several initiatives states and the federal government can undertake to help make child care more affordable for working parents. NACCRRA proposes leveraging a mixture of public and private investment to raise the bar of quality child care for all children and offer parents choices among quality settings. NACCRRA recommends the following:

Increase investments in child care fee assistance ÙÙand in quality improvement efforts.

Provide resources for expanding child care capacity ÙÙto meet the child care needs for working families.

Reduce barriers that prevent families from easily ÙÙaccessing child care fee assistance.

Meet the child care needs of working families ÙÙby ensuring that publicly funded prekindergarten and Head Start programs make full-day, year-round child care services available.

Design a system of child care that helps families at all ÙÙincome levels have access to affordable, high-quality child care.

Improve state and federal tax credits and deductions ÙÙto help all families pay for child care.

Conclusion and Recommendations

24

Require the U.S. Department of Health and Human ÙÙServices, in conjunction with the National Academy of Sciences, to determine the cost of quality child care and report back to Congress.

When it comes to child care to support working families, all families in all communities should have access to healthy, safe, affordable child care to support their children’s growth and development.

Parent choice in child care is a national policy objective. But, when parents have to sacrifice quality for affordability, that is not a choice that policymakers should promote. It is a choice that policymakers should address so that the choice is between quality settings.

From the research, it is clear that quality care makes a difference. Now is the time for policymakers to promote quality choices for parents.

26

Appendix 1

2009 Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Care by State

StateChild Care Center Family Child Care

Infant 4-year-old School-Age Infant 4-year-old School-Age

Alabama 5,356 5,668 5,044 4,628 4,758 5,524

Alaska 8,904 8,268 7,380 7,440 7,140 5,964

Arizona 8,497 6,888 6,085 6,488 6,063 6,571

Arkansas 5,770 4,854 3,112 4,824 4,355 2,891

California* 11,580 8,234 2,929 7,937 7,180 3,077

Colorado 12,044 8,816 5,207 8,204 7,548 4,171

Connecticut 12,755 10,220 5,206 9,280 8,882 4,285

Delaware 9,526 7,280 4,056 6,968 6,136 5,148

District of Columbia 11,477 8,458 5,926 7,532 6,076 5,598

Florida 7,861 6,252 3,514 7,057 5,985 3,738

Georgia 6,530 5,676 3,273 5,378 4,843 2,726

Hawaii 11,208 7,452 8,364 6,808 7,296 4,620

Idaho 5,954 5,159 NA 5,169 4,761 NA

Illinois 11,353 7,810 3,809 6,910 6,178 2,444

Indiana 9,927 7,245 6,940 5,671 4,998 4,598

Iowa 8,273 7,062 5,663 6,266 6,001 5,247

Kansas 8,579 6,880 4,343 5,955 5,340 3,135

Kentucky 6,171 5,509 5,062 5,721 5,070 4,733

Louisiana 5,633 4,992 2,773 4,593 4,246 3,120

Maine 9,057 7,606 4,829 6,583 6,411 3,722

Maryland 12,367 8,088 4,825 8,767 7,063 4,401

Massachusetts 18,773 13,158 5,445 11,940 11,475 NA

Michigan 9,016 7,549 4,106 6,715 6,442 3,467

Minnesota 13,650 10,250 NA 7,600 6,800 NA

Mississippi 4,560 4,056 2,160 3,900 3,380 1,820

Missouri 6,722 4,628 3,999 4,895 4,340 3,799

Montana 7,512 6,911 6,911 6,650 6,246 6,246

Nebraska** 8,216 6,760 NA 6,500 5,200 NA

Nevada 9,012 7,132 4,430 8,118 7,514 3,969

Appendix

27

Appendix 1

2009 Average Annual Cost of Full-Time Care by State

StateChild Care Center Family Child Care

Infant 4-year-old School-Age Infant 4-year-old School-Age

New Hampshire 10,548 8,327 6,657 8,127 7,389 6,209

New Jersey 11,372 9,440 4,767 8,055 7,194 5,316

New Mexico** 6,832 5,931 4,782 NA NA 4,592

New York 13,676 10,847 10,400 10,187 9,474 9,240

North Carolina 8,508 7,260 NA 6,600 5,760 NA

North Dakota 7,129 6,341 NA 5,905 5,595 NA

Ohio 9,561 7,616 6,681 6,885 6,272 5,761

Oklahoma 6,899 5,077 4,263 5,637 4,823 4,266

Oregon 9,936 7,500 3,936 5,700 5,400 3,816

Pennsylvania 10,550 8,632 NA 6,756 6,395 NA

Rhode Island 10,907 9,270 7,403 8,239 7,737 6,742

South Carolina 5,690 4,756 3,582 3,582 3,852 NA

South Dakota** 7,884 6,717 3,312 5,781 5,416 3,462

Tennessee 5,857 4,515 2,451 4,773 4,064 2,516

Texas 7,647 6,454 NA 5,970 NA NA

Utah 7,744 5,820 3,970 5,641 4,961 3,782

Vermont 8,107 7,904 7,228 6,812 6,495 5,980

Virginia 8,788 6,656 5,616 6,812 5,668 4,732

Washington 11,106 8,350 4,555 8,468 7,059 3,784

West Virginia 6,720 5,520 4,560 4,800 4,800 3,840

Wisconsin 10,520 9,039 8,223 8,534 7,661 7,153

Wyoming 7,725 6,763 4,511 6,672 6,240 4,386

NA: States did not report cost data for some categories of care.

Source: NACCRRA’s January 2010 survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks.

*California data is only available from the Statewide Regional Market Rate (RMR) Survey every two years. Therefore, 2008 and 2009 costs reported are the same.

**Nebraska and New Mexico data are from 2008; South Dakota data are urban only.

28

Appendix 2

Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care in a Center for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State

Child Care Center

StateAverage Annual Cost for Infant

in 2009*

Average Annual Cost for Infant

in 2008**

Infant Percentage

Change (+/-)

Average Annual Cost for

4-Year-Old Child in 2009*


4-Year-Old Child in 2008**

Preschool-Age Percentage

Change (+/-)

Alabama 5,356 5,460 -1.9% 5,668 4,992 13.5%

Alaska 8,904 8,220 8.3% 8,268 7,000 18.1%

Arizona 8,497 8,505 -0.1% 6,888 6,626 4.0%

Arkansas 5,770 5,345 8.0% 4,854 4,536 7.0%

California*** 11,580 11,580 NA 8,234 8,234 NA

Colorado 12,044 11,767 2.4% 8,816 9,067 -2.8%

Connecticut 12,755 12,180 4.7% 10,220 9,832 4.0%

Delaware 9,526 8,769 8.6% 7,280 6,899 5.5%

District of Columbia 11,477 13,967 -17.8% 8,458 10,660 -20.7%

Florida 7,861 7,584 3.7% 6,252 6,033 3.6%

Georgia 6,530 6,954 -6.1% 5,676 5,973 -5.0%

Hawaii 11,208 11,496 -2.5% 7,452 7,536 -1.1%

Idaho 5,954 5,817 2.4% 5,159 5,360 -3.8%

Illinois 11,353 11,025 3.0% 7,810 8,117 -3.8%

Indiana 9,927 9,590 3.5% 7,245 6,990 3.6%

Iowa 8,273 8,273 0.0% 7,062 7,062 0.0%

Kansas 8,579 9,139 -6.1% 6,880 6,526 5.4%

Kentucky 6,171 6,240 -1.1% 5,509 5,720 -3.7%

Louisiana 5,633 5,096 10.5% 4,992 4,610 8.3%

Maine 9,057 8,632 4.9% 7,606 7,228 5.2%

Maryland 12,367 11,962 3.4% 8,088 7,821 3.4%

Massachusetts 18,773 15,895 18.1% 13,158 11,678 12.7%

Michigan 9,016 8,996 0.2% 7,549 7,540 0.1%

Minnesota 13,650 12,800 6.6% 10,250 9,700 5.7%

Mississippi 4,560 4,560 0.0% 4,056 4,056 0.0%

Missouri 6,722 6,632 1.4% 4,628 4,532 2.1%

Montana 7,512 7,178 4.7% 6,911 6,467 6.9%

Nebraska**** NA 8,216 NA NA 6,760 NA

Nevada 9,012 9,012 0.0% 7,132 7,133 0.0%

New Hampshire 10,548 10,088 4.6% 8,327 8,035 3.6%

New Jersey 11,372 10,365 9.7% 9,440 8,400 12.4%

New Mexico**** NA 6,832 NA NA 5,931 NA

New York 13,676 13,630 0.3% 10,847 10,541 2.9%

North Carolina 8,508 8,148 4.4% 7,260 6,804 6.7%

29

Appendix 2

Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care in a Center for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State

Child Care Center

StateAverage Annual Cost for Infant

in 2009*

Average Annual Cost for Infant

in 2008**

Infant Percentage

Change (+/-)






Change (+/-)

North Dakota 7,129 6,743 5.7% 6,341 5,966 6.3%

Ohio 9,561 9,340 2.4% 7,616 7,384 3.1%

Oklahoma 6,899 6,595 4.6% 5,077 4,881 4.0%

Oregon 9,936 9,936 0.0% 7,500 7,500 0.0%

Pennsylvania 10,550 9,880 6.8% 8,632 8,060 7.1%

Rhode Island 10,907 9,464 15.2% 9,270 7,800 18.8%

South Carolina 5,690 5,690 0.0% 4,756 4,756 0.0%

South Dakota**** 7,884 7,410 6.4% 6,717 6,500 3.3%

Tennessee 5,857 6,996 -16.3% 4,515 5,934 -23.9%

Texas 7,647 7,176 6.6% 6,454 6,084 6.1%

Utah 7,744 7,440 4.1% 5,820 5,580 4.3%

Vermont 8,107 8,107 0.0% 7,904 7,485 5.6%

Virginia 8,788 10,426 -15.7% 6,656 8,268 -19.5%

Washington 11,106 10,140 9.5% 8,350 7,800 7.1%

West Virginia 6,720 6,000 12.0% 5,520 4,560 21.1%

Wisconsin 10,520 10,400 1.2% 9,039 8,424 7.3%

Wyoming 7,725 7,800 -1.0% 6,763 6,500 4.0%

*Source: NACCRRA’s January 2010 survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks.

**Source: NACCRRA’s January 2009 survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks.

***California data is only available from the Statewide Regional Market Rate (RMR) Survey every two years. Therefore, 2008 and 2009 costs reported are the same.

****Nebraska and New Mexico did not provide date for 2009. South Dakota data are urban only.

NA: States did not report cost data for some categories of care.

30

Appendix 3

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for an Infant in a Center(1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage

Annual Cost of Infant Care*

State Median Income for Single Mother Family**

Cost of Care as a Percentage of Median Single

Mother Income

State Median Income for a Two-Parent Family**


of State Median Income for a Two-

Parent Family

Rank (Based on Percentage of State Median

Income for Two-Parent Family)

Massachusetts $18,773 $28,065 66.9% $103,794 18.1% 1

New York $13,676 $25,847 52.9% $86,735 15.8% 2

Minnesota $13,650 $27,070 50.4% $87,698 15.6% 3

Colorado $12,044 $27,243 44.2% $82,159 14.7% 4

California*** $11,580 $28,579 40.5% $81,794 14.2% 5

Oregon $9,936 $23,263 42.7% $73,193 13.6% 6

Illinois $11,353 $25,815 44.0% $84,196 13.5% 7

Indiana $9,927 $23,579 42.1% $74,120 13.4% 8

Washington $11,106 $26,132 42.5% $83,059 13.4% 8

Wisconsin $10,520 $24,781 42.5% $79,615 13.2% 10

Hawaii $11,208 $30,490 36.8% $85,317 13.1% 11

Pennsylvania $10,550 $24,657 42.8% $81,018 13.0% 12

Maine $9,057 $21,605 41.9% $70,912 12.8% 13

Rhode Island $10,907 $25,738 42.4% $88,015 12.4% 14

Ohio $9,561 $21,983 43.5% $77,813 12.3% 15

Connecticut $12,755 $31,133 41.0% $105,155 12.1% 16

Nevada $9,012 $30,519 29.5% $75,791 11.9% 17

Maryland $12,367 $37,350 33.1% $105,561 11.7% 18

North Carolina $8,508 $22,400 38.0% $72,780 11.7% 18

Arizona $8,497 $27,091 31.4% $73,039 11.6% 20

Kansas $8,579 $24,586 34.9% $74,236 11.6% 20

Montana $7,512 $19,828 37.9% $65,439 11.5% 22

Michigan $9,016 $23,011 39.2% $79,015 11.4% 23

New Hampshire $10,548 $30,121 35.0% $92,815 11.4% 23

South Dakota**** $7,884 $22,800 34.6% $70,311 11.2% 25

Nebraska**** $8,216 $23,291 35.3% $73,293 11.2% 26

Iowa $8,273 $23,073 35.9% $74,289 11.1% 27

West Virginia $6,720 $17,029 39.5% $61,115 11.0% 28

Texas $7,647 $22,793 33.5% $69,613 11.0% 28

Delaware $9,526 $29,518 32.3% $86,841 11.0% 28

Utah $7,744 $27,799 27.9% $70,765 10.9% 31

Oklahoma $6,899 $19,611 35.2% $63,779 10.8% 32

New Jersey $11,372 $33,321 34.1% $105,146 10.8% 32

New Mexico**** $6,832 $20,358 33.6% $63,674 10.7% 34

Florida $7,861 $26,615 29.5% $73,439 10.7% 34

31

Appendix 3

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for an Infant in a Center(1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage

Annual Cost of Infant Care*



Mother Income

State Median Income for a Two-Parent Family**


of State Median Income for a Two-

Parent Family



Vermont $8,107 $26,700 30.4% $76,667 10.6% 36

Alaska $8,904 $32,884 27.1% $89,028 10.0% 37

Wyoming $7,725 $23,983 32.2% $77,833 9.9% 38

Virginia $8,788 $28,434 30.9% $90,141 9.7% 39

North Dakota $7,129 $20,896 34.1% $73,465 9.7% 39

Idaho $5,954 $23,063 25.8% $63,261 9.4% 41

Arkansas $5,770 $18,619 31.0% $61,478 9.4% 41

Missouri $6,722 $22,261 30.2% $72,922 9.2% 43

District of Columbia $11,477 $27,743 41.4% $125,698 9.1% 44

Kentucky $6,171 $19,113 32.3% $68,069 9.1% 44

Tennessee $5,857 $20,470 28.6% $68,413 8.6% 46

Georgia $6,530 $24,504 26.6% $76,669 8.5% 47

South Carolina $5,690 $21,311 26.7% $72,122 7.9% 48

Louisiana $5,633 $18,261 30.8% $73,457 7.7% 49

Alabama $5,356 $19,039 28.1% $70,125 7.6% 50

Mississippi $4,560 $17,338 26.3% $65,181 7.0% 51


**Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey.


****Nebraska and New Mexico data are from 2008; South Dakota data are urban only.

32

Appendix 4

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center(1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage Annual Cost of Care for

4-Year-Old Child*



Mother Income


Family**

Cost of Care as Percentage

of Median Two-Parent

Family Income


of State Median Income for Two-Parent Family)

Massachusetts $13,158 $28,065 46.9% $103,794 12.7% 1

New York $10,847 $25,847 42.0% $86,735 12.5% 2

Minnesota $10,250 $27,070 37.9% $87,698 11.7% 3

Wisconsin $9,039 $24,781 36.5% $79,615 11.4% 4

Colorado $8,816 $27,243 32.4% $82,159 10.7% 5

Maine $7,606 $21,605 35.2% $70,912 10.7% 5

Pennsylvania $8,632 $24,657 35.0% $81,018 10.7% 5

Montana $6,911 $19,828 34.9% $65,439 10.6% 8

Rhode Island $9,270 $25,738 36.0% $88,015 10.5% 9

Vermont $7,904 $26,700 29.6% $76,667 10.3% 10

Oregon $7,500 $23,263 32.2% $73,193 10.2% 11

California*** $8,234 $28,579 28.8% $81,794 10.1% 12

Washington $8,350 $26,132 32.0% $83,059 10.1% 12

North Carolina $7,260 $22,400 32.4% $72,780 10.0% 14

Ohio $7,616 $21,983 34.6% $77,813 9.8% 15

Indiana $7,245 $23,579 30.7% $74,120 9.8% 15

Connecticut $10,220 $31,133 32.8% $105,155 9.7% 17

Michigan $7,549 $23,011 32.8% $79,015 9.6% 18

South Dakota**** $6,717 $22,800 29.5% $70,311 9.6% 18

Iowa $7,062 $23,073 30.6% $74,289 9.5% 20

Arizona $6,888 $27,091 25.4% $73,039 9.4% 21

Nevada $7,132 $30,519 23.4% $75,791 9.4% 21

New Mexico**** $5,931 $20,358 29.1% $63,674 9.3% 23

Alaska $8,268 $32,884 25.1% $89,028 9.3% 23

Illinois $7,810 $25,815 30.3% $84,196 9.3% 23

Texas $6,454 $22,793 28.3% $69,613 9.3% 23

Kansas $6,880 $24,586 28.0% $74,236 9.3% 23

Nebraska**** $6,760 $23,291 29.0% $73,293 9.2% 28

West Virginia $5,520 $17,029 32.4% $61,115 9.0% 29

New Jersey $9,440 $33,321 28.3% $105,146 9.0% 29

New Hampshire $8,327 $30,121 27.6% $92,815 9.0% 29

Hawaii $7,452 $30,490 24.4% $85,317 8.7% 32

Wyoming $6,763 $23,983 28.2% $77,833 8.7% 32

North Dakota $6,341 $20,896 30.3% $73,465 8.6% 34

33

Appendix 4

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for a 4-Year-Old Child in a Center(1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage Annual Cost of Care for

4-Year-Old Child*



Mother Income


Family**

Cost of Care as Percentage

of Median Two-Parent

Family Income


of State Median Income for Two-Parent Family)

Florida $6,252 $26,615 23.5% $73,439 8.5% 35

Delaware $7,280 $29,518 24.7% $86,841 8.4% 36

Utah $5,820 $27,799 20.9% $70,765 8.2% 37

Idaho $5,159 $23,063 22.4% $63,261 8.2% 37

Kentucky $5,509 $19,113 28.8% $68,069 8.1% 39

Alabama $5,668 $19,039 29.8% $70,125 8.1% 39

Oklahoma $5,077 $19,611 25.9% $63,779 8.0% 41

Arkansas $4,854 $18,619 26.1% $61,478 7.9% 42

Maryland $8,088 $37,350 21.7% $105,561 7.7% 43

Georgia $5,676 $24,504 23.2% $76,669 7.4% 44

Virginia $6,656 $28,434 23.4% $90,141 7.4% 44

Louisiana $4,992 $18,261 27.3% $73,457 6.8% 46


Tennessee $4,515 $20,470 22.1% $68,413 6.6% 48

South Carolina $4,756 $21,311 22.3% $72,122 6.6% 48

Missouri $4,628 $22,261 20.8% $72,922 6.3% 50

Mississippi $4,056 $17,338 23.4% $65,181 6.2% 51





34

Appendix 5

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for a School-Age Child in a Center (1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage Annual

Cost of School-Age Care*



Mother Income

State Median Income for Two-Parent Family**

Cost of Care as Percentage of State Median




New York $10,400 $25,847 40.2% $86,735 12.0% 1

Montana $6,911 $19,828 34.9% $65,439 10.6% 2

Wisconsin $8,223 $24,781 33.2% $79,615 10.3% 3

Hawaii $8,364 $30,490 27.4% $85,317 9.8% 4

Vermont $7,228 $26,700 27.1% $76,667 9.4% 5

Indiana $6,940 $23,579 29.4% $74,120 9.4% 5

Ohio $6,681 $21,983 30.4% $77,813 8.6% 7

Rhode Island $7,403 $25,738 28.8% $88,015 8.4% 8

Arizona $6,085 $27,091 22.5% $73,039 8.3% 9

Alaska $7,380 $32,884 22.4% $89,028 8.3% 9

Iowa $5,663 $23,073 24.5% $74,289 7.6% 11

New Mexico*** $4,782 $20,358 23.5% $63,674 7.5% 12

West Virginia $4,560 $17,029 26.8% $61,115 7.5% 12

Kentucky $5,062 $19,113 26.5% $68,069 7.4% 14

Alabama $5,044 $19,039 26.5% $70,125 7.2% 15

New Hampshire $6,657 $30,121 22.1% $92,815 7.2% 15

Maine $4,829 $21,605 22.4% $70,912 6.8% 17

Oklahoma $4,263 $19,611 21.7% $63,779 6.7% 18

Colorado $5,207 $27,243 19.1% $82,159 6.3% 19

Virginia $5,616 $28,434 19.8% $90,141 6.2% 20

Kansas $4,343 $24,586 17.7% $74,236 5.9% 21

Nevada $4,430 $30,519 14.5% $75,791 5.8% 22

Wyoming $4,511 $23,983 18.8% $77,833 5.8% 22

Utah $3,970 $27,799 14.3% $70,765 5.6% 24

Washington $4,555 $26,132 17.4% $83,059 5.5% 25

Missouri $3,999 $22,261 18.0% $72,922 5.5% 26

Oregon $3,936 $23,263 16.9% $73,193 5.4% 27

Massachusetts $5,445 $28,065 19.4% $103,794 5.2% 28

Michigan $4,106 $23,011 17.8% $79,015 5.2% 28

Arkansas $3,112 $18,619 16.7% $61,478 5.1% 30

South Carolina $3,582 $21,311 16.8% $72,122 5.0% 31

Connecticut $5,206 $31,133 16.7% $105,155 5.0% 31

Florida $3,514 $26,615 13.2% $73,439 4.8% 33


35

Appendix 5

2009 Ranking of Least Affordable Child Care for a School-Age Child in a Center (1 = Highest; 50 = Lowest)

StateAverage Annual

Cost of School-Age Care*



Mother Income

State Median Income for Two-Parent Family**

Cost of Care as Percentage of State Median




South Dakota*** $3,312 $22,800 14.4% $70,311 4.7% 34

Delaware $4,056 $29,518 13.7% $86,841 4.7% 34

Maryland $4,825 $37,350 12.9% $105,561 4.6% 37

New Jersey $4,767 $33,321 14.3% $105,146 4.5% 38

Illinois $3,809 $25,815 14.8% $84,196 4.5% 38

Georgia $3,273 $24,504 13.4% $76,669 4.3% 40

Louisiana $2,773 $18,261 15.2% $73,457 3.8% 41

Tennessee $2,451 $20,470 12.0% $68,413 3.6% 42

California**** $2,929 $28,579 10.2% $81,794 3.6% 42

Mississippi $2,160 $17,338 12.5% $65,181 3.3% 44

*Source: NACCRRA’s January 2010 Survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks and local CCR&Rs.


***New Mexico data are from 2008; South Dakota data are urban only.

****California data is only available from the Statewide Regional Market Rate (RMR) Survey every two years. Therefore, 2008 and 2009 costs reported are the same.

Seven States did not report cost for school-age care in a center for 2009

36

Appendix 6

2009 Average Child Care Center Costs and Median Housing Costs by State

State

Average Annual Child Care Center Costs* Median Housing Costs**

Infant 4-Year-OldSchool-

AgeTwo

Children***

Monthly Mortgage Payments

Annualized Mortgage Payments

Monthly Rent

Payments

Annual-ized Rent Payments

Alabama $5,356 $5,668 $5,044 $11,024 $1,080 $12,960 $620 $7,440

Alaska $8,904 $8,268 $7,380 $17,172 $1,744 $20,928 $945 $11,340

Arizona $8,497 $6,888 $6,085 $15,385 $1,496 $17,952 $847 $10,164

Arkansas $5,770 $4,854 $3,112 $10,624 $964 $11,568 $601 $7,212

California **** $11,580 $8,234 $2,929 $19,814 $2,354 $28,248 $1,118 $13,416

Colorado $12,044 $8,816 $5,207 $20,860 $1,631 $19,572 $833 $9,996

Connecticut $12,755 $10,220 $5,206 $22,975 $2,056 $24,672 $959 $11,508

Delaware $9,526 $7,280 $4,056 $16,806 $1,527 $18,324 $916 $10,992

District of Columbia $11,477 $8,458 $5,926 $19,935 $2,159 $25,908 $979 $11,748

Florida $7,861 $6,252 $3,514 $14,113 $1,584 $19,008 $946 $11,352

Georgia $6,530 $5,676 $3,273 $12,206 $1,383 $16,596 $790 $9,480

Hawaii $11,208 $7,452 $8,364 $18,660 $2,176 $26,112 $1,235 $14,820

Idaho $5,954 $5,159 NA $11,113 $1,192 $14,304 $677 $8,124

Illinois $11,353 $7,810 $3,809 $19,163 $1,682 $20,184 $812 $9,744

Indiana $9,927 $7,245 $6,940 $17,172 $1,149 $13,788 $670 $8,040

Iowa $8,273 $7,062 $5,663 $15,335 $1,136 $13,632 $607 $7,284

Kansas $8,579 $6,880 $4,343 $15,459 $1,212 $14,544 $653 $7,836

Kentucky $6,171 $5,509 $5,062 $11,680 $1,063 $12,756 $581 $6,972

Louisiana $5,633 $4,992 $2,773 $10,625 $1,105 $13,260 $678 $8,136

Maine $9,057 $7,606 $4,829 $16,663 $1,291 $15,492 $684 $8,208

Maryland $12,367 $8,088 $4,825 $20,455 $1,928 $23,136 $1,044 $12,528

Massachusetts $18,773 $13,158 $5,445 $31,931 $2,094 $25,128 $987 $11,844

Michigan $9,016 $7,549 $4,106 $16,565 $1,375 $16,500 $710 $8,520

Minnesota $13,650 $10,250 NA $23,900 $1,546 $18,552 $740 $8,880

Mississippi $4,560 $4,056 $2,160 $8,616 $997 $11,964 $626 $7,512

Missouri $6,722 $4,628 $3,999 $11,350 $1,180 $14,160 $646 $7,752

Montana $7,512 $6,911 $6,911 $14,423 $1,201 $14,412 $613 $7,356

Nebraska***** $8,216 $6,760 NA $14,976 $1,239 $14,868 $634 $7,608

Nevada $9,012 $7,132 $4,430 $16,144 $1,796 $21,552 $999 $11,988

New Hampshire $10,548 $8,327 $6,657 $18,875 $1,874 $22,488 $919 $11,028

New Jersey $11,372 $9,440 $4,767 $20,812 $2,330 $27,960 $1,058 $12,696

New Mexico***** $6,832 $5,931 $4,782 $12,763 $1,166 $13,992 $661 $7,932

37

Appendix 6

2009 Average Child Care Center Costs and Median Housing Costs by State

State

Average Annual Child Care Center Costs* Median Housing Costs**

Infant 4-Year-OldSchool-

AgeTwo

Children***

Monthly Mortgage Payments

Annualized Mortgage Payments

Monthly Rent

Payments

Annual-ized Rent Payments

New York $13,676 $10,847 $10,400 $24,523 $1,927 $23,124 $941 $11,292

North Carolina $8,508 $7,260 NA $15,768 $1,222 $14,664 $698 $8,376

North Dakota $7,129 $6,341 NA $13,470 $1,135 $13,620 $532 $6,384

Ohio $9,561 $7,616 $6,681 $17,177 $1,290 $15,480 $666 $7,992

Oklahoma $6,899 $5,077 $4,263 $11,976 $1,052 $12,624 $613 $7,356

Oregon $9,936 $7,500 $3,936 $17,436 $1,551 $18,612 $770 $9,240

Pennsylvania $10,550 $8,632 NA $19,182 $1,376 $16,512 $715 $8,580

Rhode Island $10,907 $9,270 $7,403 $20,177 $1,854 $22,248 $869 $10,428

South Carolina $5,690 $4,756 $3,582 $10,446 $1,142 $13,704 $676 $8,112

South Dakota***** $7,884 $6,717 $3,312 $14,601 $1,158 $13,896 $558 $6,696

Tennessee $5,857 $4,515 $2,451 $10,372 $1,145 $13,740 $657 $7,884

Texas $7,647 $6,454 NA $14,101 $1,390 $16,680 $762 $9,144

Utah $7,744 $5,820 $3,970 $13,564 $1,413 $16,956 $764 $9,168

Vermont $8,107 $7,904 $7,228 $16,011 $1,449 $17,388 $778 $9,336

Virginia $8,788 $6,656 $5,616 $15,444 $1,690 $20,280 $922 $11,064

Washington $11,106 $8,350 $4,555 $19,456 $1,727 $20,724 $850 $10,200

West Virginia $6,720 $5,520 $4,560 $12,240 $899 $10,788 $532 $6,384

Wisconsin $10,520 $9,039 $8,223 $19,559 $1,426 $17,112 $699 $8,388

Wyoming $7,725 $6,763 $4,511 $14,488 $1,207 $14,484 $642 $7,704



***One infant and one 4-year-old child

****California data are only available for the statewide Regional Market Rate (RMR) survey every two years. Therefore, 2008 and 2009 costs reported are the same.

*****Nebraska and New Mexico data are from 2008; South Dakota data are urban only.

NA: No data available

38

Appendix 7

Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care in a Family Child Care Home for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State


StateAverage

Annual Cost for Infant in 2009*


Infant in 2008**

Infant Percentage Change (+/-)






Change (+/-)

Alabama $4,628 $4,498 2.9% $4,758 $4,342 9.6%

Alaska $7,440 $7,060 5.4% $7,140 $6,068 17.7%

Arizona $6,488 $6,533 -0.7% $6,063 $6,129 -1.1%

Arkansas $4,824 $4,642 3.9% $4,355 $4,246 2.6%

California*** $7,937 $7,937 0.0% $7,180 $7,180 0.0%

Colorado $8,204 $8,050 1.9% $7,548 $7,403 2.0%

Connecticut $9,280 $9,055 2.5% $8,882 $8,659 2.6%

Delaware $6,968 $6,558 6.3% $6,136 $5,740 6.9%

District of Columbia $7,532 $7,280 3.5% $6,076 $5,720 6.2%

Florida $7,057 $6,883 2.5% $5,985 $5,835 2.6%

Georgia $5,378 $5,440 -1.1% $4,843 $4,920 -1.6%

Hawaii $6,808 $7,056 -3.5% $7,296 $6,888 5.9%

Idaho $5,169 $5,087 1.6% $4,761 $4,692 1.5%

Illinois $6,910 $6,651 3.9% $6,178 $6,099 1.3%

Indiana $5,671 $5,627 0.8% $4,998 $4,938 1.2%

Iowa $6,266 $6,266 0.0% $6,001 $6,001 0.0%

Kansas $5,955 $6,012 -0.9% $5,340 $5,215 2.4%

Kentucky $5,721 $5,720 0.0% $5,070 $5,200 -2.5%

Louisiana $4,593 $4,247 8.1% $4,246 $3,987 6.5%

Maine $6,583 $6,448 2.1% $6,411 $5,772 11.1%

Maryland $8,767 $8,553 2.5% $7,063 $6,882 2.6%

Massachusetts $11,940 $10,324 15.7% $11,475 $9,805 17.0%

Michigan $6,715 $6,708 0.1% $6,442 $6,448 -0.1%

Minnesota $7,600 $7,150 6.3% $6,800 $6,400 6.3%

Mississippi $3,815 $3,900 -2.2% $3,780 $3,380 11.8%

Missouri $4,895 $4,828 1.4% $4,340 $4,267 1.7%

Montana $6,650 $6,413 3.7% $6,246 $6,040 3.4%

Nebraska**** NA $6,500 NA NA $5,200 NA

Nevada $8,118 $8,118 0.0% $7,514 $7,514 0.0%

New Hampshire $8,127 $7,939 2.4% $7,389 $7,143 3.4%

New Jersey $8,055 $8,127 -0.9% $7,194 $7,101 1.3%

New Mexico**** NA $6,412 NA NA $5,874 NA

New York $10,187 $9,737 11.4% $9,474 $9,155 3.5%

North Carolina $6,600 $6,264 5.4% $5,760 $5,376 7.1%

North Dakota $5,905 $5,690 3.8% $5,595 $5,357 4.4%

Ohio $6,885 $7,106 -3.1% $6,272 $6,425 -2.4%

39

Appendix 7

Average Annual Cost and Percentage Change of Full-Time Care in a Family Child Care Home for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children by State


StateAverage

Annual Cost for Infant in 2009*


Infant in 2008**

Infant Percentage Change (+/-)






Change (+/-)

Oklahoma $5,637 $5,478 2.9% $4,823 $4,873 -1.0%

Oregon $5,700 $5,700 0.0% $5,400 $5,400 0.0%

Pennsylvania $6,756 $6,500 3.9% $6,395 $5,564 14.9%

Rhode Island $8,239 $7,800 5.6% $7,737 $7,800 -0.8%

South Carolina $3,582 $3,582 0.0% $3,852 $3,852 0.0%

South Dakota**** $5,781 $5,785 0.0% $5,416 $5,330 1.6%

Tennessee $4,773 $4,998 -4.5% $4,064 $4,614 -11.9%

Texas $5,970 $5,824 2.5% NA $5,824 NA

Utah $5,641 $5,520 2.2% $4,961 $4,800 3.4%

Vermont $6,812 $6,812 0.0% $6,495 $6,322 2.7%

Virginia $6,812 $8,086 -15.8% $5,668 $7,098 -20.1%

Washington $8,468 $7,800 8.6% $7,059 $6,504 8.5%

West Virginia $4,800 $4,080 17.6% $4,800 $3,600 33.3%

Wisconsin $8,534 $8,372 1.9% $7,661 $7,384 3.8%

Wyoming $6,672 $6,705 -4.5% $6,240 $6,468 -3.5%






40

Appendix 8

2009 Average Annual Costs of Full-Time Child Care in a Center and Public College Tuition and Fees by State

StateAverage Child Care Costs* Average Tuition and Fees

at a Public College **Infant 4-Year-Old-Child School-Age Child

Alabama $5,356 $5,668 $5,044 $6,488

Alaska $8,904 $8,268 $7,380 $4,920

Arizona $8,497 $6,888 $6,085 $6,554

Arkansas $5,770 $4,854 $3,112 $6,006

California*** $11,580 $8,234 $2,929 $5,996

Colorado $12,044 $8,816 $5,207 $6,309

Connecticut $12,755 $10,220 $5,206 $8,540

Delaware $9,526 $7,280 $4,056 $8,994

District of Columbia $11,477 $8,458 $5,926 $3,899

Florida $7,861 $6,252 $3,514 $4,382

Georgia $6,530 $5,676 $3,273 $4,968

Hawaii $11,208 $7,452 $8,364 $6,647

Idaho $5,954 $5,159 NA $4,887

Illinois $11,353 $7,810 $3,809 $10,553

Indiana $9,927 $7,245 $6,940 $7,676

Iowa $8,273 $7,062 $5,663 $6,714

Kansas $8,579 $6,880 $4,343 $6,312

Kentucky $6,171 $5,509 $5,062 $7,118

Louisiana $5,633 $4,992 $2,773 $4,290

Maine $9,057 $7,606 $4,829 $8,547

Maryland $12,367 $8,088 $4,825 $7,485

Massachusetts $18,773 $13,158 $5,445 $9,240

Michigan $9,016 $7,549 $4,106 $9,784

Minnesota $13,650 $10,250 NA $8,752

Mississippi $4,560 $4,056 $2,160 $4,947

Missouri $6,722 $4,628 $3,999 $7,247

Montana $7,512 $6,911 $6,911 $5,490

Nebraska**** $8,216 $6,760 NA $6,233

Nevada $9,012 $7,132 $4,430 $4,556

New Hampshire $10,548 $8,327 $6,657 $11,077

New Jersey $11,372 $9,440 $4,767 $11,167

New Mexico**** $6,832 $5,931 $4,782 $4,758

New York $13,676 $10,847 $10,400 $5,761

North Carolina $8,508 $7,260 NA $4,541

North Dakota $7,129 $6,341 NA $6,332

Ohio $9,561 $7,616 $6,681 $8,146

Oklahoma $6,899 $5,077 $4,263 $5,691

41

Appendix 8

2009 Average Annual Costs of Full-Time Child Care in a Center and Public College Tuition and Fees by State

StateAverage Child Care Costs* Average Tuition and Fees

at a Public College **Infant 4-Year-Old-Child School-Age Child

Oregon $9,936 $7,500 $3,936 $6,910

Pennsylvania $10,550 $8,632 NA $10,786

Rhode Island $10,907 $9,270 $7,403 $8,508

South Carolina $5,690 $4,756 $3,582 $9,524

South Dakota**** $7,884 $6,717 $3,312 $6,146

Tennessee $5,857 $4,515 $2,451 $6,114

Texas $7,647 $6,454 NA $7,347

Utah $7,744 $5,820 $3,970 $4,614

Vermont $8,107 $7,904 $7,228 $12,002

Virginia $8,788 $6,656 $5,616 $7,952

Washington $11,106 $8,350 $4,555 $7,217

West Virginia $6,720 $5,520 $4,560 $5,010

Wisconsin $10,520 $9,039 $8,223 $7,261

Wyoming $7,725 $6,763 $4,511 $3,686






42

Appendix 9

2009 Urban* and Rural Costs for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children in a Center**

State

Infant Care 4-Year-Old Child Care

Urban Care Cost

Rural Care Cost

Dollar Difference Between


Difference in Cost

of Urban Care As


Urban Care Cost

Rural Care Cost



Difference in Cost

of Urban Care As


Alaska $9,624 $8,184 $1,440 17.6% $8,652 $7,824 $828 10.6%

Arkansas $6,747 $4,793 $1,954 40.8% $5,765 $3,943 $1,822 46.2%

California*** $11,951 $10,515 $1,436 13.7% $8,517 $7,422 $1,095 14.8%

Colorado $12,491 $9,968 $2,523 25.3% $9,011 $8,004 $1,007 12.6%

Delaware $10,244 $7,592 $2,652 34.9% $8,060 $6,058 $2,002 33.0%

Florida $7,906 $6,325 $1,581 25.0% $6,248 $5,271 $977 18.5%

Georgia $7,169 $4,765 $2,404 50.5% $6,089 $4,398 $1,691 38.4%

Hawaii $12,084 $8,100 $3,984 49.2% $8,220 $6,272 $1,948 31.1%

Illinois $11,578 $9,667 $1,911 19.8% $7,942 $6,763 $1,179 17.4%

Indiana $9,750 $7,033 $2,717 38.6% $7,241 $5,317 $1,924 36.2%

Iowa $9,017 $7,119 $1,898 26.7% $7,462 $6,360 $1,102 17.3%

Kansas $8,130 $8,645 -$515 -6.0% $6,811 $6,912 -$101 -1.5%

Kentucky $6,515 $5,826 $689 11.8% $5,819 $5,200 $619 11.9%

Louisiana $5,884 $4,691 $1,193 25.4% $5,202 $4,246 $956 22.5%

Maine $11,250 $8,882 $2,368 26.7% $9,102 $7,455 $1,647 22.1%

Maryland $12,534 $8,192 $4,342 53.0% $8,200 $5,713 $2,487 43.5%

Minnesota $14,400 $9,300 $5,100 54.8% $10,700 $7,650 $3,050 39.9%

Missouri $8,411 $6,664 $1,747 26.2% $6,130 $4,590 $1,540 33.6%

Montana $8,415 $6,609 $1,806 27.3% $7,412 $6,410 $1,002 15.6%

Nevada $9,484 $6,749 $2,735 40.5% $7,392 $5,883 $1,509 25.7%

New Hampshire $10,997 $10,464 $533 5.1% $8,615 $8,402 $213 2.5%

New Mexico**** $6,832 $5,808 $1,024 17.6% $5,931 $5,380 $551 10.2%

North Dakota $7,689 $6,118 $1,571 25.7% $6,671 $5,657 $1,014 17.9%

Ohio $10,294 $6,533 $3,761 57.6% $8,106 $5,767 $2,339 40.6%

Oklahoma $6,557 $6,001 $556 9.3% $5,208 $4,902 $306 6.2%

Oregon $10,752 $5,028 $5,724 113.8% $8,220 $4,320 $3,900 90.3%

Pennsylvania $12,800 $8,015 $4,785 59.7% $8,820 $7,800 $1,020 13.1%

Rhode Island $10,800 $11,015 -$215 -2.0% $8,921 $9,616 -$695 -7.2%

43

Appendix 9

2009 Urban* and Rural Costs for Infants and 4-Year-Old Children in a Center**

State

Infant Care 4-Year-Old Child Care

Urban Care Cost

Rural Care Cost



Difference in Cost

of Urban Care As


Urban Care Cost

Rural Care Cost



Difference in Cost

of Urban Care As


Tennessee $6,811 $4,902 $1,909 38.9% $5,108 $3,922 $1,186 30.2%

Utah $7,976 $6,299 $1,677 26.6% $5,884 $5,128 $756 14.7%

Virginia $14,612 $5,720 $8,892 155.5% $12,272 $5,460 $6,812 124.8%

Washington $11,356 $8,088 $3,268 40.4% $8,470 $6,607 $1,863 28.2%

Wisconsin $11,539 $10,559 $980 9.3% $9,722 $8,800 $922 10.5%

Wyoming $7,077 $7,925 -$848 -10.7% $6,045 $7,015 -$970 -13.8%

*Urban Area is defined as a cluster of 50,000 or more people, based on the U.S. Census definition of “Urban Area or Urban Cluster.”

**Source: NACCRRA’s January 2010 survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks. Only states that reported costs are listed


****New Mexico data are from 2008.

Only states that reported urban and rural costs are listed.

44

Appendix 10

2009 Ranking of Affordability of Center Care for Single Mothers with Two Children in Care*

State

State Median Income

for Single Mother

Family**

Infant Care 4-Year-Old Care School-Age Care Two Children in Care**

Rank (Based

on Single- Mother Family

Income)

Average Annual Cost***

Percent of State Median Income

for Single Mother Family






for Single Mother Family*




Massachusetts $28,065 $18,773 66.9% $13,158 46.9% $5,445 19.4% $31,931 113.8% 1

New York $25,847 $13,676 52.9% $10,847 42.0% $10,400 40.2% $24,523 94.9% 2

Minnesota $27,070 $13,650 50.4% $10,250 37.9% NA NA $23,900 88.3% 3

Wisconsin $24,781 $10,520 42.5% $9,039 36.5% $8,223 33.2% $19,559 78.9% 4

Rhode Island $25,738 $10,907 42.4% $9,270 36.0% $7,403 28.8% $20,177 78.4% 5

Ohio $21,983 $9,561 43.5% $7,616 34.6% $6,681 30.4% $17,177 78.1% 6

Pennsylvania $24,657 $10,550 42.8% $8,632 35.0% NA NA $19,182 77.8% 7

Maine $21,605 $9,057 41.9% $7,606 35.2% $4,829 22.4% $16,663 77.1% 8

Colorado $27,243 $12,044 44.2% $8,816 32.4% $5,207 19.1% $20,860 76.6% 9

Oregon $23,263 $9,936 42.7% $7,500 32.2% $3,936 16.9% $17,436 75.0% 10

Washington $26,132 $11,106 42.5% $8,350 32.0% $4,555 17.4% $19,456 74.5% 11

Illinois $25,815 $11,353 44.0% $7,810 30.3% $3,809 14.8% $19,163 74.2% 12

Connecticut $31,133 $12,755 41.0% $10,220 32.8% $5,206 16.7% $22,975 73.8% 13

Indiana $23,579 $9,927 42.1% $7,245 30.7% $6,940 29.4% $17,172 72.8% 14

Montana $19,828 $7,512 37.9% $6,911 34.9% $6,911 34.9% $14,423 72.7% 15

Michigan $23,011 $9,016 39.2% $7,549 32.8% $4,106 17.8% $16,565 72.0% 16

West Virginia $17,029 $6,720 39.5% $5,520 32.4% $4,560 26.8% $12,240 71.9% 17

District of Columbia $27,743 $11,477 41.4% $8,458 30.5% $5,926 21.4% $19,935 71.9% 17

North Carolina $22,400 $8,508 38.0% $7,260 32.4% NA NA $15,768 70.4% 19

California*** $28,579 $11,580 40.5% $8,234 28.8% $2,929 10.2% $19,814 69.3% 20

Iowa $23,073 $8,273 35.9% $7,062 30.6% $5,663 24.5% $15,335 66.5% 21

North Dakota $20,896 $7,129 34.1% $6,341 30.3% NA NA $13,470 64.5% 22

Nebraska**** $23,291 $8,216 35.3% $6,760 29.0% NA NA $14,976 64.3% 23

South Dakota**** $22,800 $7,884 34.6% $6,717 29.5% $3,312 14.5% $14,601 64.0% 24

Kansas $24,586 $8,579 34.9% $6,880 28.0% $4,343 17.7% $15,459 62.9% 25

New Mexico**** $20,358 $6,832 33.6% $5,931 29.1% $4,782 23.5% $12,763 62.7% 26

New Hampshire $30,121 $10,548 35.0% $8,327 27.6% $6,657 22.1% $18,875 62.7% 26

New Jersey $33,321 $11,372 34.1% $9,440 28.3% $4,767 14.3% $20,812 62.5% 28

Texas $22,793 $7,647 33.5% $6,454 28.3% NA NA $14,101 61.9% 29

Hawaii $30,490 $11,208 36.8% $7,452 24.4% $8,364 27.4% $18,660 61.2% 30

Kentucky $19,113 $6,171 32.3% $5,509 28.8% $5,062 26.5% $11,680 61.1% 31

Wyoming $23,983 $7,725 32.2% $6,763 28.2% $4,511 18.8% $14,488 60.4% 32

Vermont $26,700 $8,107 30.4% $7,904 29.6% $7,228 27.1% $16,011 60.0% 33

Louisiana $18,261 $5,633 30.8% $4,992 27.3% $2,773 15.2% $10,625 58.2% 34

Alabama $19,039 $5,356 28.1% $5,668 29.8% $5,044 26.5% $11,024 57.9% 35

45

Appendix 10

2009 Ranking of Affordability of Center Care for Single Mothers with Two Children in Care*

State

State Median Income

for Single Mother

Family**

Infant Care 4-Year-Old Care School-Age Care Two Children in Care**

Rank (Based

on Single- Mother Family

Income)













Arkansas $18,619 $5,770 31.0% $4,854 26.1% $3,112 16.7% $10,624 57.1% 36

Delaware $29,518 $9,526 32.3% $7,280 24.7% $4,056 13.7% $16,806 56.9% 37

Arizona $27,091 $8,497 31.4% $6,888 25.4% $6,085 22.5% $15,385 56.8% 38

Maryland $37,350 $12,367 33.1% $8,088 21.7% $4,825 12.9% $20,455 54.8% 39

Virginia $28,434 $8,788 30.9% $6,656 23.4% $5,616 19.8% $15,444 54.3% 40

Florida $26,615 $7,861 29.5% $6,252 23.5% $3,514 13.2% $14,113 53.0% 41

Nevada $30,519 $9,012 29.5% $7,132 23.4% $4,430 14.5% $16,144 52.9% 42

Alaska $32,884 $8,904 27.1% $8,268 25.1% $7,380 22.4% $17,172 52.2% 43

Missouri $22,261 $6,722 30.2% $4,628 20.8% $3,999 18.0% $11,350 51.0% 44

Tennessee $20,470 $5,857 28.6% $4,515 22.1% $2,451 12.0% $10,372 50.7% 45

Georgia $24,504 $6,530 26.6% $5,676 23.2% $3,273 13.4% $12,206 49.8% 46

Mississippi $17,338 $4,560 26.3% $4,056 23.4% $2,160 12.5% $8,616 49.7% 47

South Carolina $21,311 $5,690 26.7% $4,756 22.3% $3,582 16.8% $10,446 49.0% 48

Utah $27,799 $7,744 27.9% $5,820 20.9% $3,970 14.3% $13,564 48.8% 49

Idaho $23,063 $5,954 25.8% $5,159 22.4% NA NA $11,113 48.2% 50

*One infant and one 4-year old child.


***Source: NACCRRA’s January 2010 Survey of Child Care Resource and Referral State Networks and local CCR&Rs.

****California data is only available from the Statewide Regional Market Rate (RMR) Survey every two years. Therefore, 2008 and 2009 costs reported are the same.

*****Nebraska and New Mexico data are from 2008; South Dakota data are urban only.

46

Appendix 11

2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for an Infant Compared to Varying Poverty Levels

StateAverage Annual Cost

of Infant Care*

Percent of Income for Families at the Poverty

Level ($18,310)**

Percent of Income for Families at 150% of Poverty ($27, 465)

Percent of Income for Families at 200% of Poverty ($36,620)

Alabama $5,356 29.25% 19.50% 14.63%

Alaska $8,904 38.90% 25.93% 19.45%

Arizona $8,497 46.41% 30.94% 23.20%

Arkansas $5,770 31.51% 21.01% 15.76%

California*** $11,580 63.24% 42.16% 31.62%

Colorado $12,044 65.78% 43.85% 32.89%

Connecticut $12,755 69.66% 46.44% 34.83%

Delaware $9,526 52.03% 34.68% 26.01%

District of Columbia $11,477 62.68% 41.79% 31.34%

Florida $7,861 42.93% 28.62% 21.47%

Georgia $6,530 35.66% 23.78% 17.83%

Hawaii $11,208 53.22% 35.48% 26.61%

Idaho $5,954 32.52% 21.68% 16.26%

Illinois $11,353 62.00% 41.34% 31.00%

Indiana $9,927 54.22% 36.14% 27.11%

Iowa $8,273 45.18% 30.12% 22.59%

Kansas $8,579 46.85% 31.24% 23.43%

Kentucky $6,171 33.70% 22.47% 16.85%

Louisiana $5,633 30.76% 20.51% 15.38%

Maine $9,057 49.46% 32.98% 24.73%

Maryland $12,367 67.54% 45.03% 33.77%

Massachusetts $18,773 102.53% 68.35% 51.26%

Michigan $9,016 49.24% 32.83% 24.62%

Minnesota $13,650 74.55% 49.70% 37.27%

Mississippi $4,560 24.90% 16.60% 12.45%

Missouri $6,722 36.71% 24.47% 18.36%

Montana $7,512 41.03% 27.35% 20.51%

Nebraska**** $8,216 44.87% 29.91% 22.44%

Nevada $9,012 49.22% 32.81% 24.61%

New Hampshire $10,548 57.61% 38.41% 28.80%

New Jersey $11,372 62.11% 41.41% 31.05%

New Mexico**** $6,832 37.31% 24.88% 18.66%

New York $13,676 74.69% 49.79% 37.35%

North Carolina $8,508 46.47% 30.98% 23.23%

North Dakota $7,129 38.94% 25.96% 19.47%

47

Appendix 11

2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for an Infant Compared to Varying Poverty Levels

StateAverage Annual Cost

of Infant Care*

Percent of Income for Families at the Poverty

Level ($18,310)**



Ohio $9,561 52.22% 34.81% 26.11%

Oklahoma $6,899 37.68% 25.12% 18.84%

Oregon $9,936 54.27% 36.18% 27.13%

Pennsylvania $10,550 57.62% 38.41% 28.81%

Rhode Island $10,907 59.57% 39.71% 29.78%

South Carolina $5,690 31.08% 20.72% 15.54%

South Dakota**** $7,884 43.06% 28.71% 21.53%

Tennessee $5,857 31.99% 21.33% 15.99%

Texas $7,647 41.76% 27.84% 20.88%

Utah $7,744 42.29% 28.20% 21.15%

Vermont $8,107 44.28% 29.52% 22.14%

Virginia $8,788 48.00% 32.00% 24.00%

Washington $11,106 60.66% 40.44% 30.33%

West Virginia $6,720 36.70% 24.47% 18.35%

Wisconsin $10,520 57.45% 38.30% 28.73%

Wyoming $7,725 42.19% 28.13% 21.10%

Average: 48.67% 32.45% 24.34%


**2009/2010 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Poverty Guidelines; Poverty for a family of thee in 48 states is $18,310. In Alaska it is $22,890, and in Hawaii it is $21,060.



48

Appendix 12

2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for a 4-Year-Old Child Compared to Varying Poverty Levels

StateAverage Annual Cost of Care For

a 4-Year-Old Child*

Percent of Income for Families at the

Poverty Level ($18,310)**



Alabama $5,668 30.96% 20.64% 15.48%

Alaska $8,268 36.12% 24.08% 18.06%

Arizona $6,888 37.62% 25.08% 18.81%

Arkansas $4,854 26.51% 17.67% 13.26%

California*** $8,234 44.97% 29.98% 22.48%

Colorado $8,816 48.15% 32.10% 24.07%

Connecticut $10,220 55.82% 37.21% 27.91%

Delaware $7,280 39.76% 26.51% 19.88%

District of Columbia $8,458 46.19% 30.80% 23.10%

Florida $6,252 34.15% 22.76% 17.07%

Georgia $5,676 31.00% 20.67% 15.50%

Hawaii $7,452 35.38% 23.59% 17.69%

Idaho $5,159 28.18% 18.78% 14.09%

Illinois $7,810 42.65% 28.44% 21.33%

Indiana $7,245 39.57% 26.38% 19.78%

Iowa $7,062 38.57% 25.71% 19.28%

Kansas $6,880 37.58% 25.05% 18.79%

Kentucky $5,509 30.09% 20.06% 15.04%

Louisiana $4,992 27.26% 18.18% 13.63%

Maine $7,606 41.54% 27.69% 20.77%

Maryland $8,088 44.17% 29.45% 22.09%

Massachusetts $13,158 71.86% 47.91% 35.93%

Michigan $7,549 41.23% 27.49% 20.61%

Minnesota $10,250 55.98% 37.32% 27.99%

Mississippi $4,056 22.15% 14.77% 11.08%

Missouri $4,628 25.28% 16.85% 12.64%

Montana $6,911 37.74% 25.16% 18.87%

Nebraska**** $6,760 36.92% 24.61% 18.46%

Nevada $7,132 38.95% 25.97% 19.48%

New Hampshire $8,327 45.48% 30.32% 22.74%

New Jersey $9,440 51.56% 34.37% 25.78%

New Mexico**** $5,931 32.39% 21.59% 16.20%

New York $10,847 59.24% 39.49% 29.62%

North Carolina $7,260 39.65% 26.43% 19.83%

North Dakota $6,341 34.63% 23.09% 17.32%

49

Appendix 12

2009 Average Costs for Center-based Care for a 4-Year-Old Child Compared to Varying Poverty Levels

StateAverage Annual Cost of Care For

a 4-Year-Old Child*

Percent of Income for Families at the

Poverty Level ($18,310)**



Ohio $7,616 41.59% 27.73% 20.80%

Oklahoma $5,077 27.73% 18.49% 13.86%

Oregon $7,500 40.96% 27.31% 20.48%

Pennsylvania $8,632 47.14% 31.43% 23.57%

Rhode Island $9,270 50.63% 33.75% 25.31%

South Carolina $4,756 25.97% 17.32% 12.99%

South Dakota**** $6,717 36.68% 24.46% 18.34%

Tennessee $4,515 24.66% 16.44% 12.33%

Texas $6,454 35.25% 23.50% 17.62%

Utah $5,820 31.79% 21.19% 15.89%

Vermont $7,904 43.17% 28.78% 21.58%

Virginia $6,656 36.35% 24.23% 18.18%

Washington $8,350 45.60% 30.40% 22.80%

West Virginia $5,520 30.15% 20.10% 15.07%

Wisconsin $9,039 49.37% 32.91% 24.68%

Wyoming $6,763 36.94% 24.62% 18.47%

Average: 39.08% 26.06% 19.54%


**Source: 2009/2010 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Poverty Guidelines; Poverty for a family of three in Alaska is $22,890 and in Hawaii is $21,060



50

Appendix 13

Licensing Thresholds* for Children in Family Child Care Homes**

State Licensing Threshold

Alabama 1

Alaska 5

Arizona 6

Arkansas 6

California 3

Colorado 3

Connecticut 1

Delaware 1

District of Columbia 1

Florida 3

Georgia 4

Hawaii 4

Idaho 7

Illinois 5

Indiana 7

Iowa 7

Kansas 1

Kentucky 5

Louisiana Voluntary licensing only

Maine 4

Maryland 1

Massachusetts 1

Michigan 1

Minnesota 4

Mississippi 7

Missouri 6

Montana 3

Nebraska 5

Nevada 6

New Hampshire 3

Appendix 13

Licensing Thresholds* for Children in Family Child Care Homes**

State Licensing Threshold

New Jersey Voluntary licensing only

New Mexico 5

New York 3

North Carolina 4

North Dakota 6

Ohio 7

Oklahoma 1

Oregon 4

Pennsylvania 5

Rhode Island 5

South Carolina 1

South Dakota 12

Tennessee 5

Texas 1

Utah 6

Vermont 4

Virginia 7

Washington 1

West Virginia 4

Wisconsin 5

Wyoming 4

*In general, the licensing threshold is established by each state, which means that the state determines how many children are allowed to be cared for in a family child care home before a state requires a license. For the purposes of this table, to derive the total number of children in care, NACCRRA started with the number of children in care when state licensing begins. One child was added if the state does not include the provider’s own children in establishing its licensing threshold. One child was added for each family exempted before licensing begins.

**Source: NACCRRA. (2010). Leaving Children to Chance: NACCRRA’s Ranking of State Standards and Oversight of Small Family Child Care Homes: 2010 Update. Retrieved April 19, 2010, from http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/leaving-children-to-chance-2010.php

53

1 U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2008 American Community Survey. U.S. Census Bureau. (2008, March). Who’s minding the kids? Child care arrangements: Spring 2005: Detailed tables. Retrieved April 19, 2010, from http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/child/ppl-2005.html

2 White House Middle Class Task force. (2010). Fact sheet: Supporting middle class families. Retrieved June 7, 2010, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Fact_Sheet-Middle_Class_Task_Force.pdf

3 National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center. (2008). Section 3.5.5 – Affordable co-payments. Child Care and Development Fund: Report of state and territory plans: FY 2008-2009. p. 89. Retrieved July 10, 2010, from http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/stateplan2008-09/part3.pdf

4 U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2010, May 5). GAO-10-344. Child care: Multiple factors could have contributed to the recent decline in the number of children whose families receive subsidies. Retrieved June 21, 2010 from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10344.pdf

5 Vandell, D.L., Belsky, J., Burchinal, M., Steinberg, L., Vandergrift, N., & NICHD Early Child Care Research Network. (2010, May-June). Do effects of early child care extend to age 15 years? Results from the NICHD study of early child care and youth development. Child Development, 81(3), 737–756

6 Bureau of Labor Statistics. ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/cpi/cpiai.txt

7 Ibid.

8 National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. (2010, Spring/Summer). Link: A Membership Publication of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Arlington, VA: Author.

9 U.S. Department of Labor. (2010). Minimum wage [Web page]. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm

10 Derived from 2008 data collected and reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2009, May). Table 1: Occupational Employment Statistics Survey by Occupation, May 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2010, from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.t01.htm.

11 National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. (2010). Leaving Children to Chance: NACCRRA’s Ranking of State Standards and Oversight of Small Family Child Care Homes: 2010 Update. Retrieved June 8, 2010, from http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/leaving-children-to-chance-2010.php

12 Ibid.

13 Ibid.

14 U.S. Census definition of “Urban Area.”

15 Smith, K. (2007). Rural families choose home-based child care. Perspectives 4(1).

16 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (2009, January 23). HHS poverty guidelines. Federal Register, 74(14).Retrieved June 16, 2010, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09fedreg.shtml

17 U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2010, May 5). GAO-10-344. Child care: Multiple factors could have contributed to the recent decline in the number of children whose families receive subsidies. Retrieved June 21, 2010, from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10344.pdf

18 National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. (2009). Parents’ perceptions of child care in the United States: NACCRRA’s national parent poll: November 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2010, from http://www.naccrra.org/policy/recent_reports/parent_poll.php

Endnotes

Notes

Notes

Notes

National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies 1515 N. Courthouse Road, 11th Floor, Arlington, VA 22201

Phone (703) 341-4100 Fax (703) 341-4101 www.naccrra.org

© NACCRRA 2010 #937-0702

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