STOCK MARKET WATCH -- Thursday, 23 August 2012

[DemReadingDU]

42. Childcare cost: Daycare expense rivals college cost

8/23/12 Childcare cost: Daycare expense rivals college cost, fuels social problems

Childcare costs for an infant at a day care center may be more expensive than instate-college tuition, according to a new study. US childcare policy, says experts, is riddled with problems that exacerbate family debt, contribute to glass ceiling wages, and fuel the Mommy Wars.

According to a new study from ChildCare Aware of America, a childcare research and advocacy group, center-based care for an infant costs more, on average, than in-state tuition at a four-year public college. The price tag ranged from about $4,600 in Mississippi to $15,000 in Massachusetts, and was more than annual median rent payments in 22 states. In some of the more expensive states the cost of day care for infants equals about half of the median income for single moms.

And those numbers drop only slightly for children four and older.

more...
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2012/0823/Childcare-cost-Day-care-expense-rivals-college-cost-fuels-social-problems