Many parents in the Black community are stuck between a rock and a hard place. We need to work, but we also need childcare which can drain all the money that we worked for. It’s a vicious cycle.
There are, however, some tricks to help save on those costs.
Shopping around is vital. Some daycares charge extra for meal plans, late fees, and other items in the fine print. If possible, keep extras to a minimum to curb costs.
Subsidized child care can be found in several places—schools, states, employers, and the military for example. Be sure to keep an eye out for these, as some can cover half if not more of the child care bill!
Who else will better understand the plight of finding childcare than other parents? Enter childcare cooperatives. These community-based organizations can help parents care for their children. Research is important here but costs are generally low.
Bonus points to the fact that there are entirely Black run cooperatives!
Child care costs in America are no joke, especially for frequently underpaid Black parents. Still, there are ways of cutting costs out there. Hopefully, one of these options can cut those costs down.