Cost Of Child Care In Connecticut: A Breakdown For 2023

Becoming a parent is a rewarding process. You and your partner have excitedly brought this little one into the world. Everything is perfect. However, although having a child is one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have, the cost of caring for children is unbelievably expensive. And in Connecticut, Child Care is more expensive than in 45 other states.

The Cost of Child Care in Connecticut

The rising cost of Child Care in Connecticut is a problem gaining a lot of attention among parents and legislatures alike. Because of its coastal location, beautiful landscapes, and rich history, Connecticut is already among the most expensive states when it comes to cost of living. House prices alone have jumped nearly 22% in the last five years. The average annual cost of Child Care in Connecticut is $15,000, ranking Connecticut as the fifth highest for Child Care cost in the United States. While this number has dropped from nearly $20,000 in 2016, it’s still more than most parents can afford. Home to historic landmarks like the Mark Twain’s House, various Revolutionary War monuments, and the Ivy-League Yale University, it’s reasonable to see higher prices. However, when Child Care costs rise to levels matching the college-tuition price tag, it becomes inaccessible for the most vulnerable.

Statewide Stats

Broken down by age, statewide the average cost for Child Care is higher than in-state tuition at University of Connecticut. Begging the question, how do parents ensure a quality education for their children. Here we have statewide statistics on the cost of Child Care, excluding extra costs (which we’ll explain later in this article).

• The average annual cost of infant care in Connecticut is $13,880—that’s $1,157 per month.
• $12,731 for a toddler-aged child per year—that’s more than $1,000 per month.

How Connecticut Child Care Compares Against the 10 states with the highest Child Care, preschool, infant care, and day care annual costs as of 2023:

1. Massachusetts ($20,913)
2. California ($16,945)
3. Minnesota ($16,087)
4. Connecticut ($15,591)
5. New York ($15,394)
6. Maryland ($15,335)
7. Colorado ($15,325)
8. Washington ($14,554)
9. Virginia ($14,063)
10. Illinois ($13,802)

Not Just Child Care

It’s important to note that while Child Care costs through both facilities and private care like nannies are through the roof, the expenses for Child Care don’t stop there. There’s the worry of before and afterschool programs for some children. There’s the cost of the commute. Additional supplies like formula and diapers must be bought for daycare as well as home. Parents all over America are struggling to cover these costs, but Connecticut prices most states out.

Costly Cities

Wondering if your city is among the most expensive in Connecticut? To answer your questions, here we have compiled a list of the most expensive cities and counties to live in Connecticut.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Cities in Connecticut:

1. Stamford
2. Norwalk
3. New Haven
4. Danbury
5. Ansonia
6. Hartford
7. Groton
8. Bridgeport
9. New London
10. Derby

These cities have high median incomes as well as high median home values. These kinds of economic trends are those that have worsened the Child Care problem, and may make paying for Child Care much more expensive than you would’ve thought.

Other costs to consider

In addition to the direct cost of Child Care, there are several other expenses you may need to consider when budgeting for Child Care in Connecticut. Here are some common additional costs:

Enrollment/Application Fees
Some Child Care providers may charge a one-time enrollment fee or application fee when you initially enroll your child. These fees can vary and are usually non-refundable.

Supplies and Materials
Depending on the Child Care facility, you may be responsible for providing certain supplies or materials for your child, such as diapers, formula, wipes, extra clothing, blankets, or other personal items.

Transportation
If you need transportation services to drop off and pick up your child from the Child Care provider, you should consider the cost of transportation, including gas, parking fees, or public transportation fares.

Meals and Snacks
Find out if the Child Care facility provides meals and snacks for your child or if you need to provide them. If meals and snacks are not included, you’ll need to consider the cost of providing nutritious food for your child while they are in care.

Field Trips and Special Activities
Some Child Care centers may organize field trips or special activities that require additional fees. These could include outings to museums, parks, or other educational and recreational venues. Make sure to inquire about these costs if they are not included in the regular tuition.

Late Pickup Fees
Child Care centers often have specific operating hours, and if you are late to pick up your child, you may be charged a late pickup fee. It’s essential to be aware of the provider’s policies and any associated fees.

Miscellaneous Expenses
Depending on the Child Care arrangement, there may be additional costs for items such as extra hours or days of care, tutoring services, specialized programs, or extracurricular activities offered by the Child Care provider.

It’s important to thoroughly discuss and clarify all the potential costs with the Child Care provider you are considering, as policies and fees can vary. By understanding these additional expenses, you can create a comprehensive budget for Child Care in Connecticut.

What resources are available to Parents

Here lies the other major problem within the Connecticut Child Care crisis. Because of the pandemic, daycares and Child Care centers have less capacity than before. This has decreased the number of spots in income-based and affordable Child Care options. While some are seeking funding through a recent bill proposal to legislatures, the fact of the matter remains that many working parents cannot afford Child Care.
In March, a $210 million investment in Child Care was announced by the state. The money will come from a combination of funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) that was adopted in late 2020 and through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) that was approved earlier this year. Governor Lamont spoke on this historic award amount saying:

“If we want to grow our economy and help families return to work, we need to support Child Care providers. This is a major investment in these services at a time when this support is so desperately needed,” Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “I especially want to thank Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for championing Child Care funding in federal legislation and ensuring these resources were quickly delivered to the state.”

The money is set to be split between Child Care costs for parents, grants to increase the number of Child Care facilities and workers in the state, as well aiding current programs with state accreditation, and helping facilities without accreditation achieve accredited status.

Changes Since the Pandemic

Simply put, there are more parents out of work and fewer state Child Care vouchers to go around, couple that with fewer slots in daycare facilities equals a brewing crisis. The crisis that’s been brewing for some time. We mentioned earlier that there’s a decreased number in childcare availability due to decreased capacity numbers for COVID safety. Because of that, many children are being left out.

The Child Care Problem is Serious

The infant and toddler years are the most formative years of a child’s life. Early childhood Child Care helps children build early foundational skills like, motor, phonics, social skills and so much more. By not having access to these resources not only do children get left behind, but in a year, it can lead to educational decline. If you are a parent experiencing a loss of childcare, call 211 for assistance. They may be able to find a place for your children with income-based scales or other methods of assistance.

FAQ and STATS

Child Care is Incredibly Expensive in Connecticut

• According to the Council for Community and Economic Research, as of 2023, Connecticut is the 6th most expensive state in the United States.
• The average cost of Child Care for two young children in Connecticut consumes more than 40% of a family’s budget.
• The average annual cost of infant care in Connecticut is nearly $15,000, which is $1,000 less than the average in-state tuition and fees at a public four-year college.
• According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2021 Kids Count Data Book, 13% of children in Connecticut live in poverty.

Connecticut´s Female Population Are Disproportionately Affected

• Connecticut has the 5th highest female labor force participation rate in the United States, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
• Women in Connecticut are disproportionately affected by Child Care issues.
• Involuntary part-time work due to Child Care issues affects 94% of women in San Diego.
• One year that a woman spends out of the workforce equates to three years of lost income.
• About one-third of educated women temporarily or permanently leave the American workforce every year, with 74% citing Child Care issues as the primary reason.
• The US gross domestic product could be 5% higher if women participated at the same rate as men in the workforce, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
• 29% of working moms in Connecticut would seek additional school or training if they had Child Care help.
• 42% of working moms in Connecticut would look for a higher-paying job if they had Child Care help.
• 94% of Child Care workers in Connecticut are female, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
• 53% of Child Care workers’ families in Connecticut are enrolled in at least one public assistance program, compared to 21% of families on average.

Available, Affordable Child Care is Very Difficult to Find in Connecticut

• According to a report, only 49% of Connecticut’s infants and toddlers have access to licensed Child Care.
• 49% of families in Connecticut live in Child Care “deserts” where there are fewer than 3 Child Care spots available for every 10 children under age 6.
• In Connecticut, nearly 100,000 children under 12 have no Child Care or stay-at-home parent.
• Additionally, 66% of families with children in Connecticut have both parents in the household working.
• 46% of children ages 0-5 whose parents work have no available licensed Child Care in Connecticut.
• 61% of all parents in Connecticut say it is a challenge to find Child Care.
• Finally, only 16% of working parents in Connecticut have any form of backup Child Care support.