Children are delight. They are our future. But sadly, hiring someone to take care of them while you go to work is getting more expensive by the year. Earlier this month, it was reported that the cost of enrolling an infant or small kid at a childcare center rose 3% in 2012, faster than the overall cost of living. These are now large strips of the country where daycare for an infant costs more than a tenth of the average married couple's income. This is not necessarily a new trend, but it is a somewhat puzzling one. The price of professional childcare has been rising since the 1980s. Yet during that time, pay for professional childcare workers has stood still. Actually caregivers make less today, in real terms, than they did in 1990. Considering that labor costs are responsible for up to 80% of a daycare center's expenses, one would expect flat wages to have meant flat prices. So who's to blame for higher childcare costs? Childcare is a carefully regulated industry. States lay down rules about how many children each employee is allowed to watch over, the space care centers need per child, and other minute details. And the stricter the regulations, the higher the costs. If it has to hire a caregiver for every two children, it can't really achieve any economies of scale on labor to save money when other expenses go up. In Massachusetts, where childcare centers must hire one teacher for every three infants, the price of care averaged more than 16,000 per year. In Mississippi, where centers must hire one teacher for every five infants, the price of care averaged less than 5,000. Unfortunately, I don't have all the daycare-center regulations handy. But I wouldn't be surprised if as the rules have become more elaborate, prices have risen. The tradeoff (交换) might be worth it in some cases; after all, the health and safety of children should probably come before cheap service. But certainly, it doesn't seem to be an accident that some of the cheapest daycare available is in the least regulated South. 1 What problem do parents of small kids have to face? A The ever-rising childcare prices. B The budgeting of family expenses. C The balance between work and family. D The selection of a good daycare center. 2 What does the author feel puzzled about? A Why the prices of childcare vary greatly from state to state. B Why increased childcare prices have not led to better service. C Why childcare workers' pay has not increased with the rising childcare costs. D Why there is a severe shortage of childcare professionals in a number of states. 3 What prevents childcare centers from saving money? A Steady increase in labor costs. B Strict government regulations. C Lack of support from the state. D High administrative expenses. 4 Why is the average cost of childcare in Mississippi much lower than in Massachusetts? A The overall quality of services is not as good. B Payments for caregivers there are not as high. C Living expenses there are comparatively low. D Each teacher is allowed to care for more kids. 5 What is the author's view on daycare service? A Caregivers should receive regular professional training. B Less elaborate rules about childcare might lower costs. C It is crucial to strike a balance between quality and costs. D It is better for different states to learn from each other.

Children are delight. They are our future. But sadly, hiring someone to take care of them while you go to work is getting more expensive by the year.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the cost of enrolling an infant or small kid at a childcare center rose 3% in 2012, faster than the overall cost of living. These are now large strips of the country where daycare for an infant costs more than a tenth of the average married couple's income.
This is not necessarily a new trend, but it is a somewhat puzzling one. The price of professional childcare has been rising since the 1980s. Yet during that time, pay for professional childcare workers has stood still. Actually caregivers make less today, in real terms, than they did in 1990. Considering that labor costs are responsible for up to 80% of a daycare center's expenses, one would expect flat wages to have meant flat prices.
So who's to blame for higher childcare costs?
Childcare is a carefully regulated industry. States lay down rules about how many children each employee is allowed to watch over, the space care centers need per child, and other minute details. And the stricter the regulations, the higher the costs. If it has to hire a caregiver for every two children, it can't really achieve any economies of scale on labor to save money when other expenses go up. In Massachusetts, where childcare centers must hire one teacher for every three infants, the price of care averaged more than $16,000 per year. In Mississippi, where centers must hire one teacher for every five infants, the price of care averaged less than $5,000.
Unfortunately, I don't have all the daycare-center regulations handy. But I wouldn't be surprised if as the rules have become more elaborate, prices have risen. The tradeoff (交换) might be worth it in some cases; after all, the health and safety of children should probably come before cheap service. But certainly, it doesn't seem to be an accident that some of the cheapest daycare available is in the least regulated South.
1 What problem do parents of small kids have to face?
A The ever-rising childcare prices.
B The budgeting of family expenses.
C The balance between work and family.
D The selection of a good daycare center.
2 What does the author feel puzzled about?
A Why the prices of childcare vary greatly from state to state.
B Why increased childcare prices have not led to better service.
C Why childcare workers' pay has not increased with the rising childcare costs.
D Why there is a severe shortage of childcare professionals in a number of states.
3 What prevents childcare centers from saving money?
A Steady increase in labor costs.
B Strict government regulations.
C Lack of support from the state.
D High administrative expenses.
4 Why is the average cost of childcare in Mississippi much lower than in Massachusetts?
A The overall quality of services is not as good.
B Payments for caregivers there are not as high.
C Living expenses there are comparatively low.
D Each teacher is allowed to care for more kids.
5 What is the author's view on daycare service?
A Caregivers should receive regular professional training.
B Less elaborate rules about childcare might lower costs.
C It is crucial to strike a balance between quality and costs.
D It is better for different states to learn from each other.