Morganton, NC - Some things I think we all intuitively know and can all agree on are that children are our future, we want the best for our children, and that they need our care and full attention.

The North Carolina Senate has passed a budget that spells disaster for the state’s nationally-acclaimed early childhood programs.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Even before Shimiria Bennett gave birth Feb. 7, a nurse came to her home every week or two to help the 18-year-old prepare for motherhood. Nurse Lawanna Mims talked with Bennett about how to have a healthy pregnancy, what to expect during childbirth and how to care for a screaming newborn.

Just this past week, the N.C. Senate passed their budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. In keeping with this holiday season of sacrifice, the N.C. Senate has called for the innocent, our children, to bear an inordinate amount of the pain required by their proposed budget cuts.

The days of every child having a parent at home during the day may be over, but childcare has become an expensive endeavor - so much so that some people have had to quit their jobs and become full-time parents.

Although more people are out of work, more families need day care for their children.

THOMASVILLE – Rising unemployment is driving down enrollment at some child care centers.

When Karen Erickson weighed the possibility of placing her daughter into day care versus staying home, she came up with a plan that not only benefited her, but other families as well. She launched a home-based day care for children ages 15 months to 2-years old, but soon discovered that more and more families are unable to afford the expense.

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - It's day eighteen of our series 20 days, 20 ways to survive the economy and today we're talking about the cost of child care.