Patti Zarling

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Parents in Wisconsin pay more to keep a 4-year-old in day care for a year, on average, than they would for college tuition.

Parents in the Badger State pay an average $9,300 per year to keep their pre-kindergartner in group child care, ranking the state among the least affordable in the country, according a new report.

In Brown County, the average family pays $8,500 — or $170 a week — for that care, according to Child Care Aware of America's Parents and the High Cost of Child Care report. The Virginia-based organization advocates for affordable child care.

"That makes it unaffordable for many working families," said Paula Breese, director of Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W. "The high cost of child care affects a parent's ability to choose the child care arrangement and the quality of care they want for their children."

Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W. is a nonprofit that provides information, programs and referrals to families and early childhood professionals.

Wisconsin is ranked among the 10 least affordable states based on the child care costs compared to median income for a two-parent family, the advocacy group said.

The average cost of care for a 4-year-old in a group-based center is $9,302 in Wisconsin. That's about 11 percent of the median income of a married couple, or almost 40 percent of median income of a single mother.

A Wisconsin family with two kids in a child care facility will pay more for day care than housing, food, transportation or college tuition, advocates say.

Child care businesses have many overhead expenses, including wages, rent, food, toys, insurance and art and other supplies, Breese said. Licensed professionals at the centers also require yearly training at a cost, she said. Day care center workers in Wisconsin are paid an average $9.55 an hour, she said.

"There really isn't wiggle room to reduce costs by reducing pay," Breese said.

Costs typically are higher in Wisconsin because the state has more licensing requirements and regulations than other states, she said.

"Quality costs money," Breese said.

High costs may mean difficult choices for parents, she said.

"Some parents can choose to stay home, or parents may rely on family members or others to piece together child care," Breese said. "It's hard when you may be paying for more than one young child in child care, often at a time when couples are younger and not making much money."

There are some government subsidies through Brown County available for lower income families, she said.

Her referral agency works with families to find affordable care, Breese said.

Child Care Aware of America's report also found care-related issues cost companies about $3 billion a year.

"Parents may have to leave work because of child care difficulties or a sick child, and they also may be distracted while working, she said.

The community needs to be aware of obstacles faced by parents and day care professionals to work toward policies that ensure all young children have access to quality learning settings, Breese said.

"I am encouraged by the federal government's support of early childhood education and how important it is," she said. "There are no easy answers."

— pzarling@pressgazettemedia.com or follow her on Twitter @PGPattiZarling