Perspectives on the child care search process in low-income, urban neighbourhoods in the United States

ABSTRACT

This qualitative research study explored the child care search and selection process from the perspectives of families living in low-income, urban neighbourhoods in the United States. Findings based on interviews with 40 mothers and grandmothers caring for African American preschool-age children showed that child care searches began with referrals from trusted sources followed by site visits. Caregivers’ assessments of a settings’ environments and activities informed decisions to enrol their children. Barriers related to availability, accessibility, and affordability in participants’ neighbourhoods, however, greatly constrained options. Previous experience with other child care providers also informed searches. State-designated quality ratings had little to no influence on the decision-making process. The findings demonstrate the potential challenges and complexities families face when seeking and selecting child care in low-income, urban communities. This work underscores the need for greater access to high-quality care in underserved neighbourhoods and for increases in family and neighbourhood-level supports.

KEYWORDS:

• Low-income
• urban
• child care
• qualitative

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kaitlin K. Moran

Dr. Kaitlin Moran is an assistant professor who holds a doctorate in Urban Education. She began her career in early childhood education teaching Pre-K, Head Start, and Kindergarten in urban settings. She has over 10 years of experience working in early childhood education as an educator, literacy coach, and research specialist focusing on early childhood programme evaluation and parental involvement. Currently, Dr. Moran teaches courses on child development, early childhood education, and literacy. Her research focuses on the accessibility and equitable distribution of high-quality early childhood education in high-poverty urban neighbourhoods.