How to Save Money on Childcare as Costs Keep Rising

For many people, the rising cost of childcare is one more strain on already-tight budgets. It's so expensive that some even delay or forego having children at all, fearing an inability to financially support them. If you're a parent or would-be parent worried about the cost to raise a child, here's how to save money on childcare.

Unlike some other budget categories, many parents have limited options for childcare and therefore can't expect to save money on that expense. However, it's helpful to realize what your options might be in case there's a less expensive childcare option you haven't thought about.

According to the results of the Care.com 2022 Cost of Care Survey, 59 percent of parents are "more concerned" about childcare costs than in prior years. In addition, 51 percent of parents said they were now spending over 20 percent of their household income on child care. Those figures indicate that child care is definitely one of the biggest expenses for parents today.

As Care.com explains, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable only if it costs no more than 7 percent of a family's household income. With 51 percent of families paying 20 percent or more on child care, and 72 percent spending 10 percent of their income on child care, it's clear that most U.S. families don't have affordable child care.

Child care costs have been rising due to a few reasons, parents said in that survey. It was also reported that 46 percent of parents said childcare centers had raised prices while 36 percent said those centers were taking fewer children, and 41 percent also blamed inflation.

These 10 states were deemed the most expensive for hiring a nanny:

• District of Columbia: $855 weekly
• Washington: $840 weekly
• Massachusetts: $834 weekly
• California: $829 weekly
• Colorado: $763 weekly
• Oregon: $741 weekly
• New York: $736 weekly
• Connecticut: $734 weekly
• New Jersey: $715 weekly
• Vermont: $706 weekly

The most expensive states for daycare were nearly the same:

1. District of Columbia: $419 weekly
2. Massachusetts: $324 weekly
3. Washington: $304 weekly
4. California: $286 weekly
5. Connecticut: $258 weekly
6. New York: $258 weekly
7. Arkansas: $255 weekly
8. Maryland: $254 weekly
9. Colorado: $254 weekly
10. Oregon: $249 weekly

Bankrate reports that the most affordable childcare is available in these states: Utah, Florida, Missouri, South Dakota, and Mississippi. Annual child care costs were as follows, with the percentage of a couple's income:

• Utah $8,268 (8.9 percent)
• Florida: $7,186 (8.3 percent)
• Missouri: $7,062 (7.6 percent)
• South Dakota: $6,667 (7.2 percent)
• Mississippi: $5,439 (6.7 percent)

Single parents would struggle, however, as each of those annual averages would be over 20 percent of a single parent's income.

In order to save money on child care, parents can try the following strategies:

• Ask about employer childcare assistance programs.
• Use all available tax breaks.
• Use a Dependent Care Account or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to offset costs.
• Research child care subsidies.
• Take advantage of sibling discounts.
• Try sharing a nanny with other families.

Reach out to your employer to find out if they have any financial assistance for childcare costs. It should be in your HR benefits information, but you can also speak to your HR representative.

When you pay caregivers "on the books" and not "under the table," you can qualify for tax breaks and credits. The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is worth up to $600 for one child and $1,200 for two or more children. The Child Tax Credit is another benefit to keep in mind.

If your workplace has one, a Dependent Care Account is a type of flexible spending account that enables one spouse to put aside $5,000 of pretax dollars for child care costs.

There's some aid available to families via state subsidies provided by the federal government. Often, subsidies have strict income requirements and only apply to child care for children under age 13 unless the child has a disability. Care.com recommends researching Child Care and Development Block Grants to find out about programs in your area.

Many childcare facilities offer a multiple-siblings discount, so if you have more than one child at the same place, you could pay a slightly reduced rate.

Another option for saving money is to share a nanny among several families. The format for this can vary, but could offer a closer personal caregiver relationship while saving money.