Child care choices for low-income working families

Abstract:

This research report presents the findings from a qualitative study of the child care choices of low-income working families in two urban communities. Participants included 86 parents with young children, many of whom were immigrants, English language learners, or parents of children with special needs. We discuss the key themes and variations in family experiences, giving particular attention to parental preferences and the factors that influenced their decisions, within the contexts of their employment and the early care and education programs in their communities. We conclude with policy recommendations that can promote parental access to affordable and high quality care.

The research found that:

• over one-third of parents were using the type of care they preferred for their child;
• the educational and social environment was less often a determinative factor than affordability or convenience of care;
• the supply of center-based care or publicly funded preschool programs was often limited; and
• those with greater child care difficulties included parents who worked non-standard hours, parents who are English language learners, and parents with children with special health needs.