Choosing a preschool can be tough.  All parents want to provide the best early education for their child as possible.  As parents, we all have different opinions on what's important at this stage of our child's life.  Whether it be a structured environment, a creative learning environment, or a combination of both - there is no wrong decision.  It comes down to what's right for you and your family. 

Regardless of what you're looking for, there are resources out there that help you walk through the decision process.  Below is a link to a checklist created by Child Care Aware of what to look for in a preschool.  Guides like this can help us think through questions to ask in advance of enrollment so we feel confident about the decisions we're making for our children.

If you find the right preschool for your family, don't let cost be a barrier. Apply for Jump Start's line of credit program to help keep monthly costs where you need them.   

Why is the cost of child care so high?  Have you ever wondered where your child care dollars go or if it's even worth it?  As published by the Center for American Progress there's a reason child care costs are one of our highest monthly expenses - and yes, it's worth it.   

"Access to affordable, high-quality child care can help parents pursue their careers, work longer hours, or attend school and can have a long-term impact on families’ economic security." 

​"​In addition to the immediate impact of affordable, high-quality child care, researchers find that access to this care produces significant societal savings for decades into the future. Participants are more likely to have improved health outcomes, increased future earnings, and reduced crime rates, meaning each dollar spent on early childhood programs is paid back several times over."

Daycare costs can seem overwhelming, especially when you're just starting out in your career.  When you compare the cost of daycare to the wage you bring home, you might be considering staying home as the difference between the two just isn't very much.  Well, it might have a bigger impact than you think.  Some additional impacts over lost income includes lost potential wage growth, reduced Social Security benefits, and lost retirement savings (401k or other planning).  The Center for American Progress has created a helpful calculator to see how quitting might impact you.