I recently conducted interviews with both an in-home provider and a center director at a local child care center. I have come to the conclusion that it is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to run a functioning child care center, let alone a quality center on 100% DSHS subsidy.
I ran the numbers myself to see if the providers were merely trying to increase their profits and I was amazed at the results. As income for 30 children I calculated $26,694 per month. For a staff of six at minimal wages the amount was $13,432 per month. Already you are at half your income amount without even factoring in things like facility rent, food, insurance, supplies, utilities, maintenance and possible transportation. I don't see myself being able to survive as a business this way. I want to help every child and their family succeed in learning and preparing for their future, but this can not be done on this income. As an owner/director you can not afford to maintain your personal household if all your funds are going back into your center, but your center will not survive if you do not use your personal funds to fill in the gaps that the lack of center income creates.
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