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Access to available, affordable, quality child care options benefits individuals, families, and communities. Parents with access to childcare have greater opportunities to pursue additional education opportunities, have a steady job, and earn income for their families. Depending on the type of position, they may also qualify for employer-sponsored healthcare benefits or contributions to a retirement plan. All of these factors improve the ability of parents and guardians to provide for themselves and their families and provide greater economic security. Access to high-quality child care can positively benefit children's early learning, literacy, and physical and socio-emotional development.

Unfortunately, child care can be prohibitively expensive for some families, and the problem is not limited to low-income families. Historically, the Department of Health and Human Services considered child care affordable if it was less than 10% of the household income, though they have recently moved the affordability level to 7%. For some families, the prohibitive cost of childcare leads to one parent, often mothers, leaving the workforce. In Bulloch County, the average price for childcare is about $625 per month for one child (including in-home and center-based care).

When families must spend a large proportion of their income on child care, this leaves less money for other necessities like housing, food, healthcare, transportation, etc. Often, this means difficult tradeoffs for families when they do not have enough income to cover necessities.

Childcare Cost Burden

This measure represents an estimate of childcare costs as a percentage of income for a household with two children at the county's median household income. For example, for a household in Bulloch County earning the median income, $53,675 in 2022, childcare costs for a family with two children in full-time childcare would cost about 30% of their household income. This is well above the affordability threshold set by DHHS of 7%.

Childcare Availability

Finding available childcare is also a barrier for families. COVID-19 and already tight operating margins significantly reduced the number of childcare providers nationwide. This is especially true in rural counties where center-based care may be difficult or near impossible. Bulloch County has 15 childcare centers per 1,000 kids under 5. Bryan, Candler, Effingham, and Liberty counties have fewer than 10 centers per 1,000 kids under 5, meaning finding childcare in those areas may be more difficult.

Childcare Cost Resources

Child Care Resource & Referral of Southeast Georgia

Child Care Resource & Referral of Southeast Georgia (CCR&R) uses a team approach to help families, early child care educational professionals, and community members facilitate safe, high-quality learning environments. CCR&R works with families to find childcare options, as well as providing several programs to support early development, health and safety resources, support for children with special needs, and referrals other community organizations.

Dependent Care Assistance Programs (DCAPs)

Your employer may offer a Dependent Care Assistance Program as part of your benefits package. This program allows you to take money out of your paycheck tax-free ( up to $5,000 a year) and put it into an account for child care expenses. Some programs allow parents to make payments directly to the childcare center using a debit-type card, while others require reimbursement. These programs can help lower the taxes you will pay in a year, but are unavailable through all employers. You can check with HR at your workplace to see if they offer this program or if they will.

Georgia Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start promote school readiness for children under five from low-income families by providing education, health, nutrition, and family engagement services. If you have questions about how Head Start or Early Head Start works, you can contact ALL GA KIDS at 1-877-225-4254.

State of Georgia Childcare and Parent Services Program (CAPS)

CAPS helps parents and guardians receive financial assistance to pay for child care so they can attend work, school, or training programs. This program has income limits for eligibility, which will depend on your family size. Initial eligibility is set at 30% of the state median income and is updated every year on October 1. You can check current income and eligibility criteria here.