Child Care: Hidden Costs

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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.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics

Current as ofMay 4, 2017

Current as of: May 4, 2017