Being one of the largest states, Texans have no trouble finding adequate child care. And quality child care is important to every parent. Plus, children of different ages need different types of child care.
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There are 1,922,506 children who are ages four and under in Texas, and 2,508,085 children who are ages five to eleven. This provides a lot of opportunity for child care workers, and there are 49,910 child care workers in Texas who make an average of $18,830 per year. Plus, Texas has 888,300 single-parent families, and single parents are even more in need of child care than traditional families are.
Of all the children in Texas, 744,976 of them have two parents who work, and 564,518 children have single parents who work as well. This is a tremendous amount of children – and parents – who need regular child care. A total of 1,309,594 Texas children are in need of adequate child care.
Luckily, there are 9,436 child care centers in Texas, which is a large portion of the overall 119,550 child care centers throughout the United States. And 89% of the centers have available slots for children. But child care is no cheap investment. Infant child care centers are among the most expensive, average fees of $7,850 annually. Before- and after-school child care for school aged children is quite a bit less, averaging about $3,950 per year. Child care homes cost approximately $6,450 per year for infant care and $5,350 for the care of a four year old. These fees aren’t much less than college tuition is. While the charges only take up about 11% of a two-family income, it can cost as much as 35% of a single-parent’s budget.
Texas has tons of attractions to entertain visitors, and San Antonio leads the pack as having the most attractions in the state. Shopping fans should visit the San Marcos Outlet Malls or the Paseo del Rio river walk. The Alamo and Sea World are also huge tourist attractions. Relax on the Padre Island National Seashore or South Padre Island, or indulge in a little self-education at the Houston Space Center. Going for a fun-filled day with the kids? Head to the Six Flags or the Texas State Aquarium. Stroll through the Moody Gardens and feel like a kid again if you catch the Texas State Fair. The state also has plenty of historical attractions, family destinations and museums.
