Monroe County Community School Corporation parents will pay more for some forms of childcare next school year after the school board voted to increase fees at its meeting Tuesday.
The new monthly rates of the programs are now:
- Infant Program: $1,150
- Toddler Program: $1,100
- 3-year-old Preschool (at the Early Learning Center and Hoosier Hills Childcare Center only): $1,000
The rates for the extended day morning and afternoon programs each increased to $8 a day. The EdVenture Camp will now cost $100 per week.
The increases range from 4.5% for the infant program to 11% for the preschool program, meaning parents will be paying $600 to $1,200 more per child, per year for MCCSC childcare.
Tuition for 3-year-old pre-school programs at Clear Creek Elementary, Grandview Elementary and University Elementary will remain unchanged at $800 while pre-K remains free or subsidized, depending on household income level.
Tim Dowling, director of early learning and enrollment, said the change will ensure MCCSC childcare is in alignment with other programs. This marks the second time the district has raised fees to better compete with other childcare providers after six years at the 2018-19 rate. The increase will bring the district in alignment with competitors, according to the proposal.
Because the preschool programs encompass 11-hour days at the ELC and HHCC, covering before and after-school care, Dowling said, increasing the price to $1,000 makes it more equitable compared to the $800 elementary preschool programs where families can pay extra or before and after-school care.
