Child Care: Hidden Costs

Topic Overview

Hidden costs related to in-home child care include additional:

• Electricity for heating, air conditioning, and lighting.
• Household expenses (such as food, laundry, and utilities) if the provider is living in your home.

Hidden costs related to out-of-home child care may include:

• Loss of income if you cannot work overtime because you need to pick up your child from the provider before a certain time. You also may lose income if you have to stay home from work when your child is sick and cannot attend child care.
• Payment for the days your child is absent due to illness or vacation.
• Additional expense (late fees or extended hours fees) if your child needs to stay beyond the provider's usual hours.
• Extra expenses for teacher gifts, donations to fund drives, and charges for special events, such as day trips or special parties.
• Extra gas expenses to take your child to child care if the provider is not on your usual route to and from work.
• Extra expenses for food and supplies (such as formula, diapers, clothes, blankets, and toys) that may be required by the child care provider.