What is the cost of childcare in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland?
Here are some of the programs that can help with the cost.
Employer-sponsored Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)
If you can no longer do double duty or if you are seeking structure and stimulation for your child or infant, full-time daycare is still the best most affordable childcare choice. Just because you desire flexibility doesn’t mean it is the right choice for your child or children. And as they grow their needs may change, too.
Childcare discounts
With any provider you are going to use it’s wise to ask about what discounts they may offer. Some will offer a discount if you are able to pay for the month or the year in full. Another discount that may be available is a sibling discount. Some providers will take a percentage of a specific amount off a child’s weekly or monthly fee if a sibling is also enrolled. They may also waive the registration fee. If you are a current or former member of the military, they may offer a military discount. Local nonprofit organizations may offer assistance or scholarships. Ask the provider if they offer discounts or honor locally sponsored discounts.
Government programs
States receive funding from federal programs to help families with lower incomes afford childcare. These federally funded programs provide financial assistance to help working parents stay in work, or return to the workforce while their children are safely looked after. Head Start and Early Head Start are programs designed for children from birth to age 5 and help prepare them for school by supporting the early learning and development. Eligibility requirements and funding vary state by state for these programs and full details can be found on the childcare.gov website See your State's Resources page which offers a resource guide to these programs.
Child tax credits
The Child Tax Credit can help you get a tax break for the money you put towards childcare each year. To be eligible for the Child and Dependant Care Credit you must have paid expenses for the care of a qualifying individual to enable you (and your spouse if filing a joint return) to work or actively look for work.
To be a qualifying child for the 2022 tax year, your dependent must:
• Be under age 17 at the end of the year.
• Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew).
• Provide no more than half of their own financial support during the year.
• Have lived with you for more than half the year.
• Be properly claimed as your dependent on your tax return.
• Not file a joint return with their spouse for the tax year or file it only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid.
• Have been a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident alien.
The IRS website provides great information here: Child Tax Credit | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).
Plan ahead to make childcare affordable
Whether you chose to use an in-home daycare, a nanny, or a traditional daycare exploring these child-related program options may help with the costs of paying for childcare. Figuring out your budget and researching what programs that may apply to you is something you should consider as soon as possible. Often there are waiting lists and most families start thinking through this before the baby arrives. It can feel overwhelming but taking it one step at a time by researching each option separately can help keep your stress low.
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