Why is child care so expensive?
Child care fees pay for a service. Like all costs for service, fees charged are designed to cover the expenses incurred to provide all the ingredients to produce the service. The business of child care must include the following expenses: • Rental of child care space • Maintenance of the facility • Liability insurance • Business insurance to cover replacement of equipment and toys • Professional development for the child care provider (s) • Food and beverages for the children • Cleaning supplies • Developmentally appropriate toys, books and equipment • Art & craft supplies • Office supplies • Membership fees for professional organizations • Cost for substitute child care providers or assistants • Salary and payroll expenses for the child care provider • Vehicle – business insurance, fuel, maintenance Child care services, for the most part, are operated as a private business. Licensed child care facilities are governed by provincial government legislation that restricts the size of thei
