Parents’ Perceptions of Child Care in the United States:
Safety, Trained Providers and Cost Most Important Factors
Oklahoma City, OK– According to the results of a nationwide telephone survey of parents released by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), safety was the most important factor for parents when choosing child care, followed by learning environments with trained child care providers, and cost. A similar report by the Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association (OCCRRA) found the most important factors in choosing care are the caregiver being someone they know and a safe and healthy environment. The NACCRRA report, Parents’ Perceptions of Child Care in the United States, surveyed 1,004 parents with children under age 6 on their perceptions about provider training, inspections of programs, requirements for licensing, background checks and other child care issues. Parents were also asked about their attitudes toward public funding to increase the quality and affordability of child care. The poll was conducted by Zogby International in November.
The survey revealed that parents logically assumed there is governmental oversight that ensures child care is safe and of high-quality. Parents believed that background checks and trainings on child development, CPR, child guidance and discipline, and recognition of child abuse were required for all child care providers. Parents also believed that state governments licensed and inspected all child care programs. In reality, most state licensing requirements do not support the safety and quality standards that parents expect. About half of the states inspect child care settings only once a year or less frequently, and many states allow federal funds to be used for care that is not required to be licensed. In Oklahoma, regulation is better than in most other states. Child Care providers must undergo a background check, have training, and receive at least three unannounced inspections a year.
Report findings also revealed that parents are willing to invest in quality child care. Almost two-thirds of parents were willing to pay an extra $10 per year in taxes, and more than half were willing to pay an extra $50 per year to improve quality. Affordability of child care was also an important concern for families. Seventy percent were willing to pay an extra $10 per year in taxes to make child care more affordable, while 60 percent were willing to pay an additional $50. Most parents agreed that funding early childhood programs should not be the sole responsibility of parents. Three-quarters of those surveyed favored providing public funding to make child care more affordable. This would benefit many Oklahoma families since 1/3 of all licensed care in the state is subsidized by federal dollars.
“With the current economic crisis, quality child care settings are even more important to the healthy development of children,” said Linda Smith, Executive Director of NACCRRA. “In too many cases involving families earning low incomes, child care is the only place that children may receive a nutritious meal. Food is often one of the places parents sacrifice as their family budget becomes tighter."
Nationwide, Over 11 million children under age 5 spend approximately 36 hours per week in the care of someone other than their parent. In Oklahoma, the average a child spends in care is higher at 39.5 hours per week. Almost half of the parents surveyed (49 percent) said their youngest child was regularly cared for by someone else. One-fourth (23 percent) reported alternating work schedules to accommodate child care needs, and one-third (33 percent) used multiple child care arrangements, including child care centers, full and part-day preschools, family child care homes, and homes of relatives, friends or neighbors.
“Research has found that the first five years of life are a critical time for a child’s growth and development,” said Smith. “Lack of quality and oversight in some of these arrangements—especially as it relates to untrained child care providers – means children may not ever be safe, let alone learning.”
To promote high-quality, affordable child care for families, NACCRRA recommends that states: require complete background checks for all paid providers prior to working with children; require inspections prior to issuing a license and regular unannounced inspections throughout the year; require 40 hours of pre-service training and 24 hours of annual training; and support local child care resource and referral agencies in their efforts to advance safe, affordable, high-quality care and early learning opportunities. Oklahoma requires fewer hours of training than NACCRRA suggests, but unlike many states, scores well on the other recommendations including a statewide system of child care resource and referral agencies.
The Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association and its local member agencies are devoted to helping families find good child care and to improving the overall quality of child care options across the state. For free help locating and choosing child care, families may call toll free 888-962-2772 or visit us at www.oklahomachildcare.org.
For a full copy of NACCRRA’s report, which includes recommendations, please visit www.naccrra.org. To get a copy of OCCRRA’s report regarding Oklahoma families, please visit http://www.oklahomachildcare.org/system/files/OSU+STUDY.pdf
For detailed information about data and regulations in individual states, visit the following websites:
• State Fact Sheets has the most recent child care data by state.
http://www.naccrra.org/randd/state_by_state_facts.php
• We Can Do Better state sheets lists state child care center standards and oversight.
http://www.naccrra.org/policy/recent_reports/scorecard.php
• Leaving Children to Chance state sheets list state standards and oversight for family child homes. http://www.naccrra.org/policy/recent_reports/fcc_report.php
*Additional information will be included in an upcoming NACCRRA report, Progress Made, Much More Needed.
NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, is our nation’s leading voice for child care. They work with more than 800 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies nationwide. These agencies help ensure that families in 99 percent of all populated ZIP codes in the United States have access to high-quality, affordable child care. To achieve its mission, they lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, undertake research, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about NACCRRA and how you can join them in ensuring access to high-quality child care for all families, visit www.naccrra.org.