Indiana parents spending more for child care - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The cost for child care is rising, and Indiana is one of the more expensive states.

A new report from Child Care Aware of America found Indiana is tenth-highest in the nation for day care spending. Indiana parents spend 13.5 percent of their income on child care. In Ohio, it's 10.2 percent, and 9.7 percent in Kentucky. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends parents spend no more than ten percent of their family income on child care.

Gina Ferkinhoff works every day in downtown Indianapolis, so when it came to finding child care for her three- and one-year-old sons, she did her homework. The price per week her family pays would probably give a lot of mothers sticker shock.

"We pay just under $300 a week, and when you total that out over a year you are paying over $15,000 a year in daycare expenses," she said.

The Day Nursery ranks among one of the more expensive child care centers, but they are also categorized in the highest level of services and meet or surpass state regulations and requirements.

"For infant care we charge about $13,000 to $14,000 a year," said Marsha Lindsey, Day Nursery.

Although Indiana ranks as the 10th highest state for child care costs in Child Care Aware study, the Family and Social Services Administration warns a lower family income average may influence that ranking.

Eyewitness News visited Teeny World Daycare in Indianapolis, where Deborah Stewart has been in business 21-plus years. Her daycare also meets state regulations.

"I am sure I can get more money out of all these parents. But I can't gouge them, you know. But they need to shop around. They need to make sure it's quality daycare too," said Stewart.

Paths to Quality offers parents a guide for choosing the best daycare for their child.