Many factors influence parents' decisions about childcare. Accessibility, quality, affordability, socioeconomic status, household structure, and ethnicity all play a role in the decision making process of childcare arrangements, while other can even act as barriers. Minority, low-income, and single parents are particularly vulnerable to barriers in childcare and how the above dynamics impact their decision for childcare. This paper attempts to review current literature surrounding this subject matter including why it needs to be address. It will also discuss the literary history of how childcare accessibility, quality, and affordability impact parental childcare decisions and attempt to reveal gaps in current research. The literary history …show more content…
childcare centers) and informal (i.e. family or friends) care. Some highlights of the extensive information collected in this survey that have not been addressed in other studies discussed in this literature review are childcare-related influences on the decision to not work, parents' evaluation about the need for more childcare resources, and difficulties in organizing childcare arrangements. Regarding organizing arrangements, parents who need before and after school care and those who utilized more than one provider reported difficulties in organizing care. Woodland, Miller, and Tipping (2004) stated situations such as these can cause "considerable stress and anxiety for both the parent and child" (p. 111). A little over 30 percent of the participants expressed they would discontinue using two providers if one provider would meet all of their needs (Woodland et al., 2004). Additionally, the in-depth interviews revealed that three-quarters of the parents desired more options for pre-school age children while nearly two-thirds desired more supervised after-school care (Woodland et al., 2004). The desire was even greater among single parents for both types of care. Finally, reasons why parents chose to not engage in employment varied. Woodland et al. (2004) stated "lone mothers were consistently more likely than mothers with partners to cite reasons pertaining to the quality and availability of children, [as well as] the lack of free/cheap childcare that would make working worthwhile" (p. 222). Furthermore, 15 percent of all mothers cited their reason for staying home was a result of not being able to find a childcare provider that provided care at suitable times. The findings from this research correlate with research conducted by the U.S. Census
In Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life, Annette Lareau discusses the extensive amount of research she conducted employing observational and interview techniques. She collected data on the middle class, working class, and poor families. She was trying to understand the impact of a child’s early parental guidance on the child’s life. She was able to conduct this research with 12 families, all of whom had fourth graders. She gathered enough information to conclude the major differences in the parenting styles of each type of family, which was directly correlated to socioeconomic status.
The quality of child care in the United States leaves room for improvement. According to (Deborah, L., Vandell, & Barbara, W.), suggest that when low-income families received child care, mothers are more likely to keep doctor’s appointments and decrease their stress level. The cost of child care is having a huge impact on the careers of working parents and people with disabilities. According to the case study of Katy Adams is one that conveys the message of different facets of stress and, how it impacts a person’s health and well been.
Within the care system there are two different routes in to care and these are voluntary care and compulsory care. Voluntary care is when the parent agrees for their child to be placed in to the care system and this care section is under section 76 of the social services and wellbeing act of 2014. Then there is compulsory care and this is when the imposition of a care order is put in place by the authorities. This is under section 31 of the social services and wellbeing act of 2014.
Meyers, M.K. & Gornick, J.C. (2003). Public or private responsibility? Early childhood education and care, inequality, and the welfare state. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 34, 379-411.
There is a problem in Texas impacting children’s futures; many childcare centers and homes are not providing children with quality care. In an article about cost and quality in Texas childcare, child development experts Susan Eitel and Joyce Nuner quote a study stating “that [nationally] only 10% of infants and toddlers are in high quality [childcare] programs” (34). The term ratio describes the number of children one caregiver is watching. This number is one of the major factors in the quality of a childcare program. Organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children know as NAEYC release recommendations regarding ratios and accredit programs based on their compliance. Childcare centers and homes must comply with certain minimum standards enforced by Texas regarding ratios; however, these standards often set the bar lower than recommendations made by these early childhood experts. The current standards in Texas do not ensure that all young children receive quality care; for this reason, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services should strengthen the minimum standards regarding ratios to better regulate the quality of care children receive.
Most parents would probably prefer a family member would take care of their child; it could possibly be no cost and would make them feel as though they weren’t having someone else raise their child because they have to work. This is not an option for many parents so they go outside the family to make their choice of care. A day care center and an individual caregiver both have their pros and cons. Day care centers are open longer hours and have more workers in case of illness, caregivers could become ill and the parents would have to take the child to an emergency back up or miss work entirely. Children are very much individuals and have to be considered in the choice the family makes for care of their child. Every family must decide first what they can afford and then weigh the options to provide the best care available to them.
Single moms are the most affected and providing childcare on campus is very beneficial to them. More than 4 million women attend two-year public institutions or community colleges, and more than 1 million of them are mothers. Many student mothers struggle to stay enrolled all the way through graduation. Most of them are more likely to drop out of school, and the reason is because most often there is no affordable or available childcare and the students have limited financial resources. The average daycare center cost for an infant is higher than a year’s tuition and fees at a public college. It makes affordable on-campus child care a necessary provision for students. Childcare on campus helps to contribute to the learning
...ter, because in order to receive daycare help you must be working. A lot of times this still leaves the mother in a bind, due to the lack of hours she works and the lack of support she will receive. At times the mother has to choose a low quality daycare which only makes it worse on her children; they may not endure the proper amount of attention needed as well as nutrition.
For low-income families, particularly single mothers, preschool is a huge financial burden. Despite what parents want for their children, it isn’t always a practical option; sometimes, the cost of enrolling their children outweighs the money earned at a job (Mason 46). Soon, mothers are sending their kids to preschool so they can work to make money to pay for preschool. Furthermore, without an education, parents are confined to minimum wage jobs with no hope of advancement (49). Where’s the incentive to work? Robin Mason describes one single mother’s motivation. For her, employment is more than just money; rather, it’s also a means to boost her self-esteem, gain financial independence, and set a positive example for her children. She emphasizes her responsibility to her children to keep a roof over their head, be a good mother, and choose a quality daycare (47).
Childcare is a necessity for a large number of working families and single parents. Fortunately, there are many options available to meet both the needs of the family and their budget. Each option comes with advantages and disadvantages. We will provide some basic information regarding each type, as well as some guidelines in regards to estimated cost.
Another factor parents may not look into when finding a preschool is the curriculum that will be taught. “Despite decades of federal, state, and local programs intended to support young children’s preparation for schooling, children from low-income families continue to begin formal schooling at a disadvant...
Having a safe and healthy childcare setting is one of the most important duties in a daycare. Educators practising good healthy procedures is a good way for children to learn about healthy choices as educators are, good role models.
Children who participate in quality early learning programs tend to be more successful later in school. They are also most socially and emotionally competent. In addition those children show higher verbal and intellectual development during early childhood than children who do not participate in early learning programs (A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care). In order for a child care center to be a quality center they must have an educated staff, a program accreditation, and good health and safety practices. Parents choose high quality child care for many reasons. These programs prepare children for school in which they gain intellectual and social skills. Also the programs are a good opportunity for children because they receive age-appropriate learning materials and activities to let the children learn and grow.
How does the cost of child care influence the decisions of mothers with young children?
It is common knowledge that a parent is considered the most efficient caregiver for their children. It’s also known that with daily responsibilities of caring for a child financially, parents partake in full-time and/or part-time employment. While needing to do so, many children attend daycare/preschool facilities. Granted, it is the parent’s responsibility to cautiously select where they decide to take their children. This is because parents know that while they are away for numerous hours of the day, their children are in the hands of another care provider and that their care would have an enormous impact on their children. At a young age, a child’s social and cognitive skills are continuing to take shape and the amount of time spent in these facilities has a resilient impact on a child’s development. With proper and superior care no matter the time spent, such positive effects on a child’s development should endure in a child’s cognitive and social development. In other words, there is a great benefit of childcare/daycare attendance on a child’s development.