The cost of child care is a huge burden for many families. Meanwhile, early education teachers receive poverty-level wages and programs struggle to stay afloat. So, where does the money go, and why do quality early childhood programs cost so much?
Fewer children per teacher
Increase salaries
Pay teachers the same as kindergarten teachers
Provide retirement benefits
Increase contribution to health insurance
Provide more time for teachers to plan lessons
Make the classroom bigger
Increase resources for classroom materials
Category | Base-quality cost | Current selections |
Share of total cost |
Teacher salaries | $50 | $50 | 5% |
Teacher benefits | $0.87 | $0.87 | 8% |
Rent and utilities | $7.00 | $7.00 | 1% |
Office and administrative | $7.00 | $7.00 | 4% |
Classroom materials and food | $7.00 | $7.00 | 7% |