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Roditti, M.G. (2000). What works in home-based child care. In What Works in Child Welfare. Miriam P. Kluger, Gina Alexander, & Patrick A. Curtis, Eds. Washington, DC: CWLA Press. Pgs. 303-311.
This chapter highlighted research in family child care including measures of high quality, challenges, and cost-effectiveness.
The Study
- Parents choose family child care for a variety of reasons including family setting, flexible schedules, and affordability.
- Providers who were child-centered in their work were found to be sensitive and responsive to children whereas providers who were described as adult-centered (providing care to help mothers) were less sensitive to children’s needs. They tended to work out of a sense of obligation rather than enjoyment. [These finds are based on a three-state study by Galinsky, et al, 1994.]
- Providers who are child-centered:
- Are in their chosen occupation,
- Have a strong job commitment,
- Engage in professional development,
- Plan activities,
- Involve other providers,
- Comply with regulations
- Adhere to business standards and safety practices, and
- Charge higher fees.
- Challenges to family child care include:
- Low child attachment to providers (also found in center care),
- Multiple placements for infants,
- Relative care does not always equal quality care,
- Few family child care providers are considered to be of good quality,
- Home settings tend to provide less high quality care for poor children compared to higher-income children, and
- Welfare reform may promote poor care for poor children.
- Cost effectiveness of family child care is difficult to measure. Lower costing programs often provide less quality. Also, many parents may pay through in-kind agreements with providers.
R2P Evaluation
This chapter provides a good summary of research studies in family child care.
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