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Low-income families' selection of child care for their young children

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  • Tang, Sandra
  • Coley, Rebekah Levine
  • Votruba-Drzal, Elizabeth

Abstract

Conceptual models suggest that child, mother, family, and community factors are likely to affect families' choice of child care settings for their young children, yet little research has comprehensively tested such models among low-income families. This research assessed the type of early care experienced by low-income urban preschoolers (N=802) in the Three-City Study. Results revealed that in comparison to White mothers, Latina mothers were less likely to use Head Start or center-based care. In comparison to mothers who did not work, mothers who worked full-time, part-time, or who had regular work schedules had a higher likelihood of relying on non-maternal early care. Type of care used also varied by geographic location, suggesting that care availability and accessibility have primary roles in low-income families' care options. Future research and policy suggestions are discussed in light of these results.

Suggested Citation

  • Tang, Sandra & Coley, Rebekah Levine & Votruba-Drzal, Elizabeth, 2012. "Low-income families' selection of child care for their young children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2002-2011.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:34:y:2012:i:10:p:2002-2011
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.06.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Carlin, Caroline & Davis, Elizabeth E. & Krafft, Caroline & Tout, Kathryn, 2019. "Parental preferences and patterns of child care use among low-income families: A Bayesian analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 172-185.
    2. Johnson, Anna D. & Padilla, Christina M. & Votruba-Drzal, Elizabeth, 2017. "Predictors of public early care and education use among children of low-income immigrants," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 24-36.
    3. Zhang, Jianhong & Nijhof, André & Zaman, Syeda Sazia & Dutta, Mitul & Yesmin, Sakila, 2020. "What drives parents to consider center-based child care for their children? The case of Bangladesh," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    4. Ünver, Özgün & Bircan, Tuba & Nicaise, Ides, 2021. "A multilevel approach to ECEC policies and intensity of formal childcare participation of young children in Europe," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    5. Elizabeth E. Davis & Caroline Carlin & Caroline Krafft & Nicole D. Forry, 2018. "Do Child Care Subsidies Increase Employment Among Low-Income Parents?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 662-682, December.
    6. Ansari, Arya & Winsler, Adam, 2013. "Stability and sequence of center-based and family childcare: Links with low-income children's school readiness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 358-366.

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