It shouldn’t be difficult to find quality childcare in Delaware. There are approximately 8,000 more available slots than there are children under age 6 in the state. Most of these available spaces (over 80%) are in child care centers. There are various child care options in Delaware. The State of Delaware licenses child care homes, early care and education centers, and school-age centers. The number of children that can be cared for and the ratio of staff to children are regulated for each type of facility, ensuring that each child receives adequate attention and supervision. Requirements mandate that balanced meals and snacks are served to children in child care settings.
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Child care fees in Delaware are approximately the median for the United States as a whole, averaging $9,550 for an infant being cared for in a center. On average, 3,700 Delaware families receive assistance to offset child care expenses from the Child Care and Development Fund. Families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level qualify for this program, which helps low income families cover child care expenses and allows them to support their family.
Delaware child care providers are paid, on average, only $19,350. This is slightly less than the national average of $21,110. This is discouraging because the cost of living in the state of Delaware is slightly higher than average and the average annual salary in Delaware is over $50,000. However, the state of Delaware was just awarded almost $50 million from the federal government in a Race to the Top grant to improve early childhood education. Governor Markell has promised to use the funds to improve working conditions and improve quality in child care centers.
Delaware, known as The First State, boasts a variety of state parks. A day at a Delaware State Park can include a visit to the beach, a hike on a historical trail, or even escape to a wild habitat at the Brandywine Zoo. The state of Delaware does not have a sales tax, so all of your outlet mall shopping is tax-free.
