Save money on child care

Felicia Payton sees first-hand the challenges families face in finding affordable day care. So, she does her best to help — and helps herself at the same time.

If a family has inflatable play-sets, she’ll use them at her Little Scholars Academy in exchange for a discount on the weekly rate for the family’s child. Maybe a father of one of the babies runs a lawn service. He will manicure the playground area for Payton, and she’ll knock down the childcare costs.

Of course Payton can’t fully run her day care on bartering, but in giving and taking, she helps families in a small way to find solutions to costly childcare.

The average annual cost for full-time care for a 4-year-old in a Georgia day care center is $5,700, according to the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies. The national average is $6,700.

The concern many have for taking care of their children is exacerbated now as unemployment and underemployment take their toll. Additionally, summer session is closing and older teenagers are no longer able to stay at home with their younger siblings.

“I have seen the effects of the economy this summer,” Payton said. “In five years, this is the worst summer, and with the siblings going back to school, it will be even harder. You still have to provide quality child care and make it reasonable.”

Consider these options:

Nanny sharing: Parents may struggle paying for a full-time nanny. Sharing a nanny with neighbors and friends may bring this option into your budget. Neighborhood listserves are commonly used to network with other parents looking for a similar service.

Instead of paying, for example, $280 per week for your child, you could split the cost with parents of two other children.

Family: Perhaps the least-expensive option is asking a family member or family friend to watch your child while you work, look for a job or take care of other responsibilities.

Make sure you let your family member know your expectations.

In-home Day Care: Another alternative to a day care center is an in-home facility. As always, you should ask for references and make sure the guardian is qualified with the proper experience.

You should also ask how many other children the guardian is watching to make sure you’re comfortable with the individual’s ability to keep a close eye on your child. Finally, you want your child to be comfortable. Bring your child along when you visit the home to see how he or she responds to the environment.

According to an Associated Press report, the YMCA in metro Atlanta uses a sliding fee scale and will attempt to work with families to make their programs accessible, said Lydia Thacker, vice president of child care and diversity for the Metro Atlanta YMCA.

Government assistance: The Child Care Development Block Grant program is a part of the stimulus bill and provides $2 billion to be distributed based on state guidelines through 2010. Georgia’s portion was $82 million. The bulk is designated for working parents whose income falls below a certain threshold: $32,000 for a family of four, and approximately $21,000 for a family two.

Of the $82 million, $14 million will be used by the Department of Early Childhood and Learning, which provides for those who are not working, but are in school building on their skill-set. For more on the programs, visit Compass.Ga.Gov.

Company program: Some employers offer childcare at a cost. It is convenient, but sometimes there is a long waiting list. Many larger companies even offer Flex benefits, a tax-free spending account, to take care of a dependent.

Day Care: Ask people in your neighborhood, your colleagues and others for recommendations for day care centers. It pays to begin researching early on to find a day care center that is affordable and has room. Depending on the age of your child, ask about the educational program that will be provided for your child, and check on the facility’s history.