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We wouldn't change our situation because with the combo of our income level and child care costs where we live, there's not an option that would put us over 10% unless we had a bunch more kids, so a 10% cap doesn't have a huge effect. There would have to also be a MAJOR overhaul on college expenses for us to consider additional kids. The cost of higher education is a much bigger concern to me than the cost of child care.

But, I assume this 10% cap would have to come with some restrictions right? Perhaps you have to use an "approved" center, etc. Because otherwise, the system gets turned upside down and penalizes the higher earners. If a couple makes $500K/year and pays $15,000 in child care costs, should a couple who makes $100,000 really have access to better/more expensive care (let's say worth $30,000) at a cost of $10,000? That certainly doesn't seem fair.

For us, I would assume it would be based off of household income since we file our taxes jointly.

I do think you have to have that cash in your hands (or I guess you might be able to put it on credit cards until you get the tax return) so unless you have that cash available, I wonder if it will change. Finding that money and using it to pay the childcare facility and waiting for the tax return could still be pretty difficult for families that might already be paycheck to paycheck.

I'd work full-time and have a third child, for sure. (As it is now, I'll drop to part-time after DS2 arrives, and when/if we have a third child, I'll become a SAHM.)

Maaaaybe I'd work in a different school (public vs private for the benefits), but otherwise no - everything would be the same. Daycare costs affected our timing for kids but not how many we want to raise or where we send them.

My work situation probably wouldn't change, as my income is very much needed regardless of childcare, but of course it would help so much if childcare is less costly!

Childcare choices won't change; but maybe we would've given DD more hours now instead of waiting till the last possible second to save money.

I don't think this will affect how many kids we choose to have.

@Truth Bombs: I would assume there would be an approved centers, too.

I was thinking along the same lines.

I don't know what the difference in cost would be between daycare (facility or in home), nanny, nanny-share, au pair, Montessori and etc. I would assume a nanny would be significantly more expensive than a daycare. Where will government find this money to pay for rest of it? I know it won't be unlimited. The program will have a cap. As a democrat/liberal, I am willing to let lower class have the funds before I do (I'm middle class). (I think they need the assistance more than I do.) I would hope I can get some assistance. But I think there will be approved facilities.

I might get bashed for this comment, but I think having a nanny is a bit of a luxury over using a day care. (Full disclosure, I have used a bunch of nannies in the past.) That individualized attention is what you are paying extra for. I don't think the program (government) will have the funds to pay for nanny care for everyone.

I wish childcare costs 0-5 yrs was the only factor in whether I worked or how many kids we plan to have. A 10% cap would be great when I think about baby #2 or #3, but there's a bunch of other expenses that increase with multiple kids once they are school age. Granted these expenses are often voluntary- private school, braces, playing sports etc. I don't think even with saving funds on the front end we would save enough to make three kids a reality. Neither or our work statuses would change since working now makes our retirement sweeter.

It wouldn't change. I'd still "have" to work even if we were paying less. I'm not working because day care is cheap and this is what I want. I'm working because my husband hates his job and I want to give him the opportunity to quit if he's had enough. Also because my family (and worse, DH) will despise me if I quit.

And I also like my job, but I'd rather be with the kids now and go back to work in a few years.

No change. We're under the 10% with the 2 kids in school and I like being a SAHM.

If money weren't an issue I'd get a live in Au Pair for the upcoming LO and *still* send LO to preschool.
That's the biggest suckage of the decision I have to make during maternity leave - do I send a tiny little baby to daycare? (I know people do, but I hate the thought of it) or do I pull my 4 year old out of the environment he likes so we can have a nanny watch both. I wish we could have both options!!

@wheres_c: I'm in a similar boat! I don't want to have to send a 12 week old to daycare. I'm seriously considering a nanny for the summer, and post-poning putting the baby in daycare until fall when DS starts kindergarten.

I would probably go back to work part time. I love being a SAHM but I would love to keep something going on my resume for when I eventually do want to go back to work full time. I probably won't work at all until DD2 is in kindergarden so we will only have to pay for aftercare- that's 8 years out of the workforce for me!

It wouldn't really matter at the moment because I'm in a residency program but it would make having a third child way easier!

I'd probably still work the same amount even when I am done with residency

Childcare expenses for us are extremely high. If that cost were less of a factor, we'd feel less pressure to have a certain income, I'd work part time until my kids were old enough to take care of themselves sufficiently. Life would be more healthy and sane.

I hate that I have to spend all weekend preparing meals for the next week/doing all the chores, etc. It goes by so fast, and I feel like we don't have enough actual time to just enjoy each other's company.

It would certainly make my financial life easier. Two in daycare is going to be roughly half of my take-home pay every month. I don't know that we would have a third child, and my husband doesn't want one, but it would make the decision easier knowing that no matter what, it wouldn't cost more than I am paying now.

I'd keep working and feel suddenly very rich!