Financing Childcare
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Virginia
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Fairfax and Loudoun Counties
Financing Childcare in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, VA
The rising cost of childcare has become a major concern for over half of American families with working parents and young children.
According to bankrate.com the average weekly cost of a single child in full-time childcare in the US is $226 (this almost doubles for two children). Hiring a full-time Nanny starts, on average, at around $700/wk but can be an economical option for families with multiple children needing full-time care. Families relying on Home Childcare or Family Care, hiring a childcare provider as and when needed, paid on average around $200 per child per week.
In Virginia, the average hourly rate of an in-home child care provider starts at $14.78 per hour, and ranges $12 and $22 per hour. With the cost of living more expensive in metropolitan areas, the cities of Arlington, Alexandria and Charlottesville average higher child care expenses, with Arlington being the most expensive and averaging an hourly rate of $19.23. Weekly in Virginia, with full-time coverage of 35 hours, the cost of in-home child care ranges from $420 to $770.
Financing Childcare in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, VA
The rising cost of childcare has become a major concern for over half of American families with working parents and young children.
According to bankrate.com the average weekly cost of a single child in full-time childcare in the US is $226 (this almost doubles for two children). Hiring a full-time Nanny starts, on average, at around $700/wk but can be an economical option for families with multiple children needing full-time care. Families relying on Home Childcare or Family Care, hiring a childcare provider as and when needed, paid on average around $200 per child per week.
In Virginia, the average hourly rate of an in-home child care provider starts at $14.78 per hour, and ranges $12 and $22 per hour. With the cost of living more expensive in metropolitan areas, the cities of Arlington, Alexandria and Charlottesville average higher child care expenses, with Arlington being the most expensive and averaging an hourly rate of $19.23. Weekly in Virginia, with full-time coverage of 35 hours, the cost of in-home child care ranges from $420 to $770.
Here are some of the programs that can help with the cost.
- Employer-sponsored Dependant Care Flexible Spending Account.
- Childcare Discounts.
- Government Programs.
- Child tax credits
Employer-sponsored Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
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 andChild 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).
