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Gordon, R.A., & Chase-Lansdale., P.L. (2001). Availability of child care in the United States: A description and analysis of data sources. Demography, 38(2), 299-316.
Using Census information, the authors studied child care availability across the United States. Both center care and family child care were included in the study.
The Study
- Demographic data show a trend towards more parents working outside the home in the last half of the 20th century.
- Child care demand there fore rose in response. However, little is known about the presence of child care in communities.
- Child care can be considered unavailable if quality is too low or cost is too high.
- Center-based child care is more subject to community-type and expenses. Family child care can be considered more sustainable across different communities.
The Methods
- Census data from 1990 were used for this study. Data were classified by zip code, population type, and population size.
- Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, (1979 cohort) were also examined using 1986 follow up data.
- The final sample included 1,583 preschool children (519 African American, 313 Latino, and 751 white.)
The Findings
- Findings indicated that family child care had the lowest unmet need in non-metropolitan areas.
- If family care is available mothers will use it probably 8% of the time in metropolitan areas and 15% of the time in suburban areas.
R2P Evaluation
These research findings are difficult to interpret. Overall, the study seemed to indicate that community and population are related to type of child care used.
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