Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Employer Child Care
Sometimes employees need help in finding child care resources, evaluating options and becoming informed child care services consumers. Employers have the option to assist employees by providing information on existing child care services, advice for parents on how to select a child care provider and community-based services.
Resource and Referral: Employers and employees have the advantage of a statewide Child Care Resource and Referral Network service that can help link child care programs with families that need them and can also help employees become informed consumers through parent education.
Employers also have the option of offering their employees direct or indirect child care assistance. These may include:
- Alternative work schedules - Allow employees to participate in flex-time or job sharing, family leave and parental sick leave.
- Sick child care - Employer provides care for sick children through in-home nursing services or sick child care services. Employers can add sick leave days to cover children’s needs.
- Dependent Care Assistance Program - Employee takes reduction in income and pays for child care out of a non-taxable account.
- Voucher Program - Employer reimburses all or part of the employees’ child care costs through a voucher system. The child care arrangement is selected by the employees.
- Contract with a Local Provider - Employers may enter into contracts with local child care providers to reserve a number of slots for their employees. Employers may either purchase child care slots or subsidize a portion of the cost for their employees.
- Employee Information - Employers can provide their employees with information on balancing work and family responsibilities or finding and choosing quality child care.
- Corporate Discounts - Discounts can be negotiated with local child care providers. Employers may offer to match a provider discount, provide in-kind services or materials to the center or guarantee a specified enrollment.
- Consortium of Employers - On-site or near-site child care centers can be developed and sponsored by groups of employers.
- Corporate Contributions - Employers can provide cash or in-kind contributions to expand and develop child care resources in their local communities.
- On- or Near-site Child Care Centers - Employers operate or provide care on- or near-site.
- Guaranteed Ride Home - Employers can provide a guaranteed ride home for parents whose children may become ill during the work day.
Tax benefits and grants available to employers
Tax benefits - Child care assistance provided by an employer may be a tax deductible business expense. Employers should discuss the relevant tax laws with their accountants or tax counselors.
Start-up and Expansion Grants - Start-up and expansion grants are available to employers to start or expand child care for their employees from the Office of Child Care, Department of Workforce Development.
For more information on child care options, the Child Care Resource and Referral agencies and grant opportunities, employers can contact the Office of Child Care at (608) 266-3443.
DES-10988-P (R. 05/99)