Child care costs impacting middle class families

MSN Money posted a story about the costs of child care on middle income families. One of the central arguments is that with costs so high, is it really worth having your children in care? Or is it better for a parent to stay at home?

I often hear from people who do not have young children or are not close to families with young children that if costs are so high, one parent should just stay at home. This perspective does not reflect the reality for families in the US in 2008. The reality is that most families cannot afford to own a home in a safe neighborhood, pay off student loans or other debt, save for the future and not have two incomes. Not to mention all the struggles of single-parent families. Of course we want parents to be able to raise their kids and be with them as much as possible. But wanting and wishing for parents to be able to stay at home.

If we believe that helping children grow up strong, healthy and successful in school and life benefits all of us (and it does benefit all of us in terms of reduced costs to society such as remedial education prison costs), then we must all play a part in helping families to afford quality care and to pay the teachers in quality settings a reasonable wage.

Ready 4 K is working to raise awareness with policy makers and with the public of the need for public investments to improve the quality of care and to make if affordable for families. We need to hear from you. What is your experience with searching for a care solution that works for your family? What do you think families need in order to give kids what they need for a solid start in life?