For many parents across North Carolina, it’s a struggle to find affordable care for children.
On average, N.C. moms and dads are spending about $9,200 a year on daycare centers.
Other WRAL Top Stories
The average cost of tuition at one of North Carolina’s public universities is only $7,200.
Regulators say it’s a serious problem.
“I would say that our current child care system is unsustainable,” said Whitney Tucker, research director at NC Child.
Stephanie Schweickert is a mother of two. Even in her two-income household, she and her husband struggle.
“To put it in perspective, we pay about 2 1/2 times each month what we pay for our mortgage,” Schweickert said. “It’s pretty difficult statewide to be able to afford it.”
NC Child says the quality of child care centers has gone up, along with costs.
“There have been a few years of progressive underfunding of our child care system in North Carolina,” Tucker said.
NC Child is pushing for a solution so parents don’t break the bank.
“We need significant sustained investment at the state level and also at the federal level to completely overhaul the way that we pay for child care in the state,” Tucker said.
While the fight for affordable child care continues, parents should check with their county to see if they’re eligible for childcare subsidies.
They should also take advantage of all tax credits.
Parents who enroll their children in home-based daycares save $2,000 a year on average.
Resources for parents:
Child Care Services Association
Child Care Aware: Reports and Research