Child care providers now have the opportunity to complete the biennial market rate survey online. The Department of Human Resources Child Care Subsidy Program is conducting the market rate survey to determine the rate charged per child in each type of child care setting in the State.
A notice has been mailed to child care providers regarding the biennial survey. Providers that operate multiple centers will have the ability to complete a separate survey for each center. The survey must be completed by May 22, 2009.
This year’s survey will also include questions to gain provider input on the service delivery in the area of subsidy, training and managing information. Input is needed from every child care provider in the state, whether you participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program or not.
Debbie Thomas, Director of Child Care Services stated, “Providing early childhood education is the best long-term investment we can make. We plan to use this survey to better understand child care in Alabama and to better meet the needs of child care providers and the children they serve”.
The market rate survey is conducted in order to determine the rate charged per child for each type of child care in Alabama. It is a tool used by states to collect up-to-date information on what providers, within given geographic areas, charge parents for various types of child care. This information will assist us in determining the reimbursement rate for providers who participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program. The results of this survey will also help determine the allowable amount used for child care expenses when figuring child support guidelines.
To complete the survey online, please click here.