The Cost of Care: A Deep Dive Into the Economics of Early Learning

The Cost of Care: A Deep Dive Into the Economics of Early Learning

Why Understanding the True Cost of Early Learning Matters

At Hope Haven, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early learning. But providing that level of care isn’t as simple as it seems. Behind the scenes, there are significant costs associated with professionalizing the early learning workforce, equipping classrooms with necessary resources, and ensuring sustainability.

Recently, our CEO, Stella Johnson, sat down with Josh Becksmith, Executive Vice President at Brown & Brown, to discuss the true price of early learning and why it’s essential to invest in a system that supports children, families, and educators alike.

Josh Becksmith, Executive Vice President at Brown & Brown and Hope Haven’s CEO, Stella Johnson

Breaking Down the Real Costs of Early Learning

There’s a growing conversation in our community about the need for a quality early learning system—yet the difference between early learning and high-quality early learning is often misunderstood. Through an in-depth cost analysis, we examined the key factors that influence the price of care, including:

✅ Compensation for Educators – Professionalizing the early learning workforce requires fair wages and benefits, including retirement contributions. Competitive salaries are a non-negotiable part of attracting and retaining quality teachers.

✅ Consumables & Resources – From crayons and paper towels to nutritious snacks, every child needs access to materials that support their learning and development. We estimate a current cost of $100–$125 per child per month just for basic supplies.

✅ STEM & Enrichment Activities – Quality education goes beyond books. Building blocks, musical instruments, and hands-on learning tools are essential to a child’s cognitive growth. These costs add up, but they’re vital for a well-rounded experience.

✅ Operational Expenses – Behind every early learning program is a team that ensures smooth operations, from administrative support to facility maintenance. Industry benchmarks suggest shared service costs range between 25-35% of total expenses.

After working through the numbers, Stella and Josh’s analysis revealed:

📌 A break-even price for a high-quality early learning program is $3,118 per child, per month—far beyond what most families or programs currently budget.

📌 To sustainably operate, programs may need to charge around $3,400 per month per child, ensuring both quality and financial stability.

📌 Quality education isn't just a cost—it’s an investment. Without the right funding model, we risk leaving children, families, and educators behind.

What’s the Solution? A Community Effort

So, how do we go from where we are today to a fully-funded, high-quality early learning system? The reality is, it takes collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including:

🪙 Government – Advocating for policies that prioritize early education funding.
💰 Philanthropic – Engaging donors and organizations to invest in sustainable programs.
🤝 Community Involvement – Raising awareness and support for the importance of quality early learning.

At Hope Haven, we are committed to working with our community to build a sustainable early learning model that supports both educators and families. Investing in young learners today means a brighter future for all of us.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The solution isn’t a simple one. Funding quality early learning requires a coordinated effort from:

➡️ Government – Advocating for policies that prioritize early education funding.

➡️ Philanthropy – Engaging donors and organizations to invest in sustainable programs.
➡️ Community – Raising awareness and support for the importance of quality early learning.

If we truly value early education, we must fund it accordingly.

Can You Estimate the True Cost? Try Our Interactive Exercise!

Think you can determine the real cost of quality early learning? Take a stab at our Cost of Care Exercise!

📅 Book a session with Stella Johnson to go through the exercise and build your own model:
(Available until April 21, 2025!)

Want Stella to present this to your civic group or organization?

She’s available to lead discussions and help stakeholders explore solutions. Reach out today to continue the conversation! 📞 Call us: (904) 346-5100

👉 Learn more: Click below to schedule your visit today!

Together, we can make quality early learning a reality for every child.