Hidden costs related to child care

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Hidden costs related to in-home child care include additional:

Electricity for heating, air conditioning, and lighting.
Household expenses (such as food, laundry, and utilities) if the provider is living in your home.

Hidden costs related to out-of-home child care include:

Loss of income if you cannot work overtime because you need to pick up your child from the provider before a certain time. You also may lose income if you have to stay home from work when your child is sick and cannot attend child care.
Additional expense (late fees or extended hours fees) if your child needs to stay beyond the provider's usual hours.
Extra expenses for teacher gifts, donations to fund drives, and charges for special events, such as day trips or special parties.
Extra gas expenses to take your child to child care if the provider is not on your usual route to and from work.
Extra expenses for food and supplies (such as formula, diapers, clothes, blankets, and toys) that may be required by the child care provider.

Credits

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Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Last Updated	September 26, 2008

Last updated:	September 26, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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