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Predictors of low-income parent child care selections

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  • Weber, Roberta B.
  • Grobe, Deana
  • Scott, Ellen K.

Abstract

This paper uses a mixed methods research design that combines qualitative and quantitative data from low-income parents to increase understanding of the dynamics of their child care decision-making. The paper relies on a graphically depicted conceptual model of the decision-making process. In the model, individual characteristics found in prior research to affect child care decisions are clustered into constructs: family, community, child care preferences, constraints and barriers, and financial assistance. Findings demonstrate that when controlling for other characteristics, most of the characteristics captured in the conceptual model predict type of child care selected. Study data include measures of employment constraints and a verified measure of subsidy receipt, both of which are important to understanding child care decisions of low-income parents and on which research is limited. We find both to be strong predictors of child care selection decisions. Parents' child care selection preferences emerge as the strongest predictors of the type of care selected. Parents' prioritization of support for learning and trust in the provider were the most likely to predict a specific type of care. Findings from this study have direct implications for policy and practice, especially as states implement the changes associated with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 with its emphasis on helping parents select arrangements that support the child's development.

Suggested Citation

  • Weber, Roberta B. & Grobe, Deana & Scott, Ellen K., 2018. "Predictors of low-income parent child care selections," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 528-540.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:88:y:2018:i:c:p:528-540
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Elizabeth E. Davis & Roberta B. Weber, 2001. "The Dynamics of Child Care Subsidy use by Rural Families in Oregon," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 83(5), pages 1293-1301.
    2. Hirshberg, Diane & Huang, Danny Shih-Cheng & Fuller, Bruce, 2005. "Which low-income parents select child-care?: Family demand and neighborhood organizations," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(10), pages 1119-1148, October.
    3. 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.
    4. Nicole Forry, 2009. "The Impact of Child Care Subsidies on Low-Income Single Parents: An Examination of Child Care Expenditures and Family Finances," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 30(1), pages 43-54, March.
    5. Elizabeth E. Davis & Deana Grobe & Roberta B. Weber, 2010. "Rural--Urban Differences in Childcare Subsidy Use and Employment Stability," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 32(1), pages 135-153.
    6. Lowe, Edward D. & Weisner, Thomas S., 2004. "`You have to push it--who's gonna raise your kids?': situating child care and child care subsidy use in the daily routines of lower income families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 143-171, February.
    7. Yesil-Dagli, Ummuhan, 2011. "Center-based childcare use by Hispanic families: Reasons and predictors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1298-1308, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tang, Jing & Kelly, Cara L. & Pic, Annette, 2021. "Latent profile analysis of toddler parents’ perceptions of early care and education arrangements," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    2. Tang, Jing & Hallam, Rena & Francis, Jessica, 2024. "Exploring parents’ child care search and decision-making processes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    3. Patricia Del Grosso & Juliet Bromer & Toni Porter & Christopher Jones & Ann Li & Sally Atkins-Burnett & Nikki Aikens, "undated". "A Research Agenda for Home-Based Child Care," Mathematica Policy Research Reports df4cdcaabd7e440db3a3e8169, Mathematica Policy Research.

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