The Cost Childcare in the U.S.

The REAL cost of Childcare in the U.S.

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* 1. Are you a woman who participates in waged or volunteer work and uses childcare (outside of a partner, if present) for more than 5 hours a week? If so, please take 3 minutes to complete the following few questions. No identifying data will be published, just composite results. Answers provided to open-ended questions will only be published anonymously. See www.drkatiebgarner.com if you’d like to know more about me and/or my work. And, first question:

What type of childcare do you use most? If more than one type please add second option in "other" box.

Nanny or sitter

Family member other than you and/or your partner, if present

In-home care at caregiver’s home

Formal on-site daycare (i.e., KinderCare)

School-based before-/after-school options

Other (please specify)

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* 2. How many hours a week do you typically require childcare?

5-10 hours

10-25 hours

25-40 hours

40-55 hours

55+ hours

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* 3. How many children are you paying for?

4 or more

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* 4. Roughly how do you pay per hour for childcare? Do not factor in travel compensation. If you prefer to answer using a monthly total cost, please use the "other" box.

free!

$10/hr or less

$11-16/hr

$17-23/hr

$24-30/hr

more than $30/hr

Other (please specify)

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* 5. How much of an influence do your childcare bills have on your life personally and/or as a family?

Not much.

Some, but the costs are definitely doable.

A fair amount. I/We really have to scrimp to make ends meet but I/we are managing.

Extensive. Childcare bills are a daily or weekly stressor and I/we continually examine how to make the family’s situation work since I/we don’t consider it to be working right now.

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Open ended question: Please describe the impact that your childcare arrangements have on you and your family. This can include time, money, emotional stress, stress on relationships, or anything else that is a factor in your opinion. Positive comments welcome, too!

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* 7. What is your zip code?

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* 8. Please enter your email address if you would like to be added to my once-a-month update of all things motherhood.

My research centers on the culture of motherhood in the US and how to improve our options for childcare. I've interviewed nearly 100 women in Brooklyn, Chicago, Denver, LA, and San Francisco. If you'd like to be interviewed for my upcoming book, please enter your email with the word "interview" included and I will follow up soon with more information. Thank you!!