Jenny Goff, right, reaches out to a child at Central Park Child Care Center in Vancouver, Washington. Ariane Kunze | The Columbian via APWhy child care costs are so highRising fees at child care centers are contributing to the growing costs of child care, as well as inflation and changes in parents' work status, according to Care.com. Many day care centers shuttered during the pandemic, leaving the few that stayed open with limited slots available. The new child fee is usually used to fund teachers' education, books and materials for the classes, she added. Financial advisors say there are several other ways parents can plan ahead to help cover child care costs.

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Persons: Jenny Goff, Ariane Kunze, Sophia Bera Daigle, Daigle, Carolyn McClanahan, McClanahan, Care.com Organizations: Central, Child Care Center, AP, CNBC FA Council, Planning Partners, CNBC FA Locations: Vancouver , Washington, Jacksonville , Florida