Childcare

[Blackmask]

We have an election coming up here soon and child care, well the cost of it, is one of the things that seems to be getting talked about. I've known people at my last job who pretty well after they paid tax and child care costs were taking home $100 or so. The thought seems to be that it should be subsidised by the government.

I can see there's some economic benefits in having more people working, but what happens in other countries? Is child care subsidised or is that a financial balance that families make for themselves. The other side would be that stay home mothers don't get paid by the government so why should those who go to work have their childcare paid for?

[MSFixR]

The most important job in the world is being a parent particularly a mother. Why give a financial incentive to shirk this responsibility?

[Bill5461]

If the government pays for it, then we (you) are paying for it.

[Blackmask]

^ I realise that. But at the moment we are operating in a surplus, which some think means there's money to go back into things, others think it's not a bad idea to keep a surplus to protect against global economic things.

Originally Posted by MSFixR

The most important job in the world is being a parent particularly a mother. Why give a financial incentive to shirk this responsibility?

That's my thought on it. If a subsidy of some kind is to be paid I'd rather it be given to stay home mothers who have no income than supporting those who are going out to work and leaving their kids in the care of others.

There could be an economic negative to this though since employers are already apparently struggling to find people to work.

[open32]

I would say only in the case of poverty. Thats one thing that public school is for and for kids younger then that the government shouldnt subsidize putting kids into childcare.

Or create optional public pre school, it works as child care and prepares kids for school a little earlier.

I would usually be for tax cuts or putting the money into improvement projects rather then subsidies. People take them for granted and it usually involves spending or giving up more money then its worth. (if childcare costs more then the person makes at work, then the choice is clear, in that case no one should be paying for childcare)

[Blackmask]

if childcare costs more then the person makes at work, then the choice is clear, in that case no one should be paying for childcare

I've just done a quick search and childcare costs $40-$50 a day. Given the minimum wage here is around $13/hour, after tax someone on that income would be getting $70-$80 a day, so for low income earners there wouldn't be much financial gain.

[darko.]

the government does not pay for things. you pay for things.

you are not responsible for other people or their children.

CLOSED

[open32]

One on one child care? Arent there camps, daycares, preschools and that kind of thing where its a group monitored by 2 or 3 people.

[Blackmask]

That is a daycare centre cost. One on one is probably more.