Families struggle to afford day care [Lack of free government money in NC]

Greensboro Fishwrap ^

[AppyPappy]

Families struggle to afford day care

2-13-03

By SCOTT MICHELS, Staff Writer News & Record

SUMMERFIELD - Shannon Brown ran out of options last week after the woman who takes care of her two young children unexpectedly announced she was quitting.

The average weekly cost of child care at private day care centers in Rockingham County is more than $80 per child.

"And there's no way we can afford that," said Brown, 24.

She and her husband qualify for a child care subsidy from the county Department of Social Services. But for the first time in seven years, there is a waiting list for aid in Rockingham County -- nearly 400 children are ahead of hers -- and there's no telling when, or if, she or the other families will get any money.

A week ago, Brown's boss at a check-cashing service in Greensboro told her to come in the next day or lose her job, she said. With no one to take care of her children, who are 2 years old and 8 months old, she quit, she said.

[Johnny Gage]

at private day care centers in Rockingham County is more than $80 per child

Holy Moley thats CHEAP

The average "in-home" daycare here in the Twin Cities is anywhere from $100 to $170 a week and most "centers" are higher than that.

[AppyPappy]

If there is $8,000 allocated for day care, the State is paying $80,000 for it.

[AppyPappy]

at private day care centers in Rockingham County is more than $80 per child

That's crap. I know people who were paying $60 a week. I think you are allowed to keep 4 which nets out to $240 a week.

I think these folks were only interested in the free government money.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I waited until I could afford kids to have them.

How DARE you be responsible!!! sarcasm off>

[mountaineer]

Shannon Brown ran out of options last week

Bull. There are lots of options. The husband could work two jobs, or he could work days while she worked nights, or they could cut back on luxuries, or either one could look for a better-paying job.

[Adder]

**Gulp**Sob**
Sorry about your kids. Stay outta my pockets.

[AppyPappy]

You want to know the WORST part? They just raised taxes in NC. Maybe one of the NC people can give us the 411. I think it was a "temporary" tax increase.

[Night Hides Not]

I'm paying $192/week for my kid, $152/week when he goes 3 days a week. Until tax season is over, Nathan's going to be camping out 5 days a week.

When school lets out, Nathan's big brother & big sister are going to babysit (they're 13 & 15, respectively).

BTW, we're using Kindercare, and I've been happy with their service. Their rates are very competitive for this area (Irving/Coppell, TX).

[goose1]

have to agree with you and they probably smoke and drink also have to agree with you and # 4 cant afford kids dont have em.

[The Glaswegian]

Look people just get tired of this nonsense, some of us waited to have SECOND children, because we realized after the first how expensive it can be. If this woman's only babysitter up and quit she could as someone already posted, stay home and open up a daycare... particularly if there are waiting lists for the centers.