You are not alone if you feel your wallet is getting pinched by the cost of your child care. Announced by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families earlier this week, the 2024 Market Rate Survey for child care in the state showed a larger than predicted increase for childcare provider prices between 2022 and 2023. According to the 2024 report, Wisconsin families with an infant in center-based care are seeing an average 11 percent increase in monthly tuition prices, while Wisconsin families with an infant in family-based care are seeing an average 14 percent increase. Not only does that outpace the inflation rate, it also resulted in a drop of affordable child care slots by 25 percent. The situation could grow even more dire next year when the Child Care Counts program runs out of funding. Both sides of the political spectrum have offered solutions to the issue, with Democrats looking to make the Child Care Counts program permanent. In contrast, Republicans offered several reforms allowing centers to welcome more children and create a loan program for providers. United Way of Door County Childcare Community Coordinator Molly Gary was not shocked by the survey results and says childcare providers and parents are running out of options.
 

Gary adds that the United Way of Door County is still trying to support child care centers and individuals who want to offer the service out of their homes.