Victoria Arnold relies on her mother to care for her two-year-old son, Terrance, which significantly reduces her childcare expenses. “For just two weeks, I pay $80,” Arnold explained. However, she noted that her mother has stated she will not be able to help if Arnold has more children. Additionally, Arnold benefits from federally funded Head Start programs, which she believes enhance her child’s education and social skills. “I was able to adjust my work schedule around his school hours for a bit,” she added.
Arnold’s situation is a fortunate exception. A recent report from Bank of America indicates that the average family spends about $700 a month on childcare. Regina Fancher, the regional director of the Caterpillar Childcare Center in Holt, noted that rising childcare costs have forced some families to forego essential services. “I’ve seen families who found it financially overwhelming in the past year,” Fancher said.
Fancher warned that if childcare centers reduce their fees, it could hinder their ability to hire quality providers and educators. “However, we also can’t expect parents to pay more when minimum wage, the economy, and the cost of living are all rising,” she stated.
Vice President Kamala Harris has proposed increasing the child tax credit to $6,000 for newborns and $3,600 for children over one year old. She also suggested capping childcare expenses at 7% of parents’ incomes, but details on how these proposals would be implemented and funded remain unclear.
Former President Donald Trump has not officially released a childcare plan, but his running mate, U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), has proposed raising the child tax credit to $5,000. Arnold believes such changes could significantly support struggling families. “That could definitely help, especially for parents currently paying for daycare,” she noted.
Fancher emphasized the need for more detailed discussions on childcare. “If we don’t set parents up for success, then the children aren’t set up for success,” she concluded.
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