I have twin 4-year olds in a Montessori school. It is called children's house and one of my daughters takes a nap during the day. However, everything is designed to be educational...from squeezing orange juice from an orange (strengthens muscles used in writing) to learning to read using a moveable alphabet. I am conflicted as to whether this is appropriate for my husbands flexible spending plan. We both work. Their class is mixed ages 3-6 year olds. Thanks!
I have twin 4-year olds in a Montessori school. It is called children's house and one of my daughters takes a nap during the day. However, everything is designed to be educational...from squeezing orange juice from an orange (strengthens muscles used in writing) to learning to read using a moveable alphabet. I am conflicted as to whether this is appropriate for my husbands flexible spending plan. We both work. Their class is mixed ages 3-6 year olds. Thanks!
I do not know any working parents with a choice who would not place their young children in a day care environment that provided educational activities. Having day care be an educational experience for a pre-K age child is NOT a consideration in determining whether the cost qualifies for the child care credit (or tax free FRP reimbursement). Personally, I wouldn't squeeze an orange for any reason other than to get orange juice to drink but I'm older, wiser and more cynical than the typical pre-schooler.
The IRS considers programs for anyone younger than kindergarten to be daycare, not educational expense. So expenses for a 4-year old would be daycare, not tuition, and would be eligible for reimbursement from a dependent care FSA. Dennis
"o2bacpa" wrote
If you're asking if it's childcare, it's childcare. Even if some portion of the daily program entails an educational nature. When they get to a pre-K program (next year maybe?) then that portion is going to be school, and the rest will be childcare. The school should be able to segregate the school fees from "childcare" fees when that happens.
-- Paul Thomas, CPA snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net
For DCA to be applicable, the primary gates are; Must be to enable both parents to work or look for work (no stay at home mom/dad) Won't cover Kindergarten or private school Cannot be for overnight camp There's a presumption that pre-school isn't offered by the state and as you describe your situation, it's covered. But plans' rules may be different by how a given employer interprets the rules. So the real answer must come from hubby's HR department. JOE
BeanSmart website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.