The current
WCCC subsidy rates are based on market rate data from 2018 and have not been updated by DCYF to reflect the most recent market rate survey . However , data from the
2021 market rate study are available , allowing for a comparison of the estimated cost per child with the most recent data on the prices families are paying or care . Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the annual gap between the statewide average cost of care for each age group under scenario 2 , using MIT living wage salaries , and the 85th percentile of the 2021 market rates .
As demonstrated , gaps continue to exist across all age groups and settings , especially for infants and toddlers in child care centers , and across infants , toddlers and preschoolers in family child care homes . These results highlight that even if WCCC subsidy rates were set at the 85th percentile of the most recent market rate survey , providers would still face a shortfall between reimbursement rates and the true cost of care . These data also show that the prices private-pay families are currently able to afford are also insufficient meaning that child care providers cannot cover the true cost of care through either WCCC subsidy or parent tuition .