Child care is one of the biggest line items in a working family’s budget. What many Georgia parents don’t realize is that their employer may already offer help paying for it, or would consider it if someone asked. Here’s what to look for, what to ask, and how Cedars Preschool can work with your employer.
Three benefits worth checking for today
- Dependent Care FSA (DCAP). Many employers let you set aside pre-tax dollars for child care. Starting in 2026, the household limit increased to $7,500 a year, up from $5,000. Your HR team can tell you whether your plan has adopted the higher limit.
- Tuition assistance or discounts. Some employers cover part of child care tuition directly, either through their own program or a benefits marketplace. Check your benefits portal under family, dependent care, or perks.
- Priority enrollment or reserved spots. Some employers reserve child care spots for their team so employees aren’t stuck on a waitlist.
Not offered yet? Now is a great time to ask
Open enrollment season is when employers are thinking about benefits, and there’s new news to share with your HR team. Starting in 2026, the federal Employer-Provided Child Care Credit (Section 45F) lets businesses claim 40% of qualifying child care spending, and 50% for eligible small businesses, up to $500,000 a year ($600,000 for small businesses). That includes contracting with a licensed child care program like Cedars. Supporting working parents now costs employers much less than it used to, and their tax advisor can confirm how it applies to them.
A simple way to start the conversation: “Have we looked at offering a child care benefit? The new 45F tax credit covers a large share of the cost, and Cedars Preschool partners with local employers.”
How Cedars works with employers
Every Cedars school is a licensed Georgia child care center serving children from 6 weeks through age 5, with school-age programs at many locations. Meals are included, classrooms have cameras, and our Funnydaffer curriculum prepares children for kindergarten. We can build a benefit that fits your employer, whether that’s a tuition discount, help with reserved spots, or simply information for employees using their FSA.
Ready to learn more? Contact us or ask your school director. We’re happy to talk with you or with your HR team directly.
