​Are You Getting the Most from Your Child Care Dollars?

As the cost of child care steadily rises, parents are looking for ways to get more for their money. Whether that's through nannies who also teach piano or after-school programs that help children learn Spanish, today's parents want their child care dollars to go farther.
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Tutoring is a great example of a child care option with added benefits. Tutoring gives parents the chance to run errands or squeeze in a workout while their children build skills that help them excel in school and beyond.

In most cases, tutoring costs more than a babysitter, because students receive personalized academic support from a knowledgeable instructor. In some cases, however, small-group tutoring is more affordable than hiring a nanny or paying for athletics.

So before spending big bucks on child care, take a look at the afterschool tutoring programs in your area. You might find a perfect fit for your child care needs -- and your student's academic goals.

Rising Cost of Child Care

In Illinois, families spend an average of $27,854 annually on in-home childcare and $10,229 on in-center child care. This expense makes up 32 percent of the median household income in the state. That means that a given family in Illinois could easily be spending one third of its annual income on child care.

With child care making up such an enormous chunk of household spending, it makes sense that parents increasingly view child care as an investment in their children's futures -- and choose child care options that offer concrete benefits.

It's tough to find anything more beneficial for children than academic skill and confidence. That's why so many parents turn to tutoring as a regular child care option.

Benefits of Tutoring

A 90-minute tutoring session for an elementary school student can be as affordable as $36/hour. When you pick your child up from the session, her homework is complete, she is caught up on new concepts, and her tutor has helped her prepare for any upcoming projects or large assignments. This lets families spend weekday evenings free from homework stress.

Studies show that students who receive tutoring perform significantly better in core subjects and on standardized tests. With weekly tutoring, parents can spend less time worrying about school performance and more time connecting with kids.

Not only does tutoring boost grades and save time at home, it builds confidence. This can affect your child's attitude toward learning and his motivation in school for years to come.

Paying for Tutoring

Many companies allow employees to put up to $5,000 in tax-free Dependent Care Accounts to pay for child care. This money can be applied to tutoring expenses, as well. Ask your employer about its Flexible Spending Account options, and check with your human resources office to see if your company offers other child care subsidies.

On your personal income tax return, you can itemize up to $3,000  per child for child care or tutoring expenses, which can yield up to $600 in tax savings.

Group tutoring is another way to save money. Look for a tutoring center that places no more than two or three students in a group and matches your student with others at her level.

Find a Small Group

iLearn Academy offers affordable small-group tutoring for children as young as kindergarten. To learn more, sign your student up for a short diagnostic test.