October 5, 2005
The rise in fuel costs is making it hard for everyone, even daycare centers. As News 12 reports, many centers have had to go up on their fees in order to continue operating their vehicles.

Here at Small Wonders Playcare Center, Director Kathi Borgner says it takes $480 a week in gas to run three vans.

“Very large capacity tanks,” Borgner said.

Rising gas prices are driving daycare fees up. Field drips and daily trips to elementary schools to drop off and pick up after-schoolers adds up.

“You know it takes quite a bit to go to all six elementary schools and we go twice a day,” Borgner said.

There are a lot of things paid for out of these fees including salary, transportation, food and insurance. Fuel is just a small portion of the cost.

So in order to keep their heads above water, many daycares are adding small increases to fees.

“Three dollars per after school child. We didn’t go up on any fees for any children that remain here during the day that we don’t transport,” Borgner said.

And while the increase is minimal, every dollar counts.

“It’s going to hurt a family if they have two after school children. That’s six dollars a week, plus they are paying for their own gas,” Borgner said.

But Borgner says in order for them to keep from operating in the red, the extra fee is necessary.

Other daycares we contacted today say they are also planning to go up on fees. Borgner says that this is only temporary and that the fess will go back to normal once gas prices go down.