In order to more thoroughly examine the issue of child care, a series of questions about child care arrangements and satisfaction with those arrangements was asked of parents of children ages 0-5. A more extensive report is planned to address in-depth issues related to early childhood, including child care. The following is a brief preview of some of the results related to child care.

 

Almost two-thirds of children in Iowa ages 0-5 spent at least some time in child care in the week prior to the survey. Just over half of the children ages 0-5 who were in child care received at least some of their care at a home-based child care setting. Thirty percent received care in a child care center, and 31% in a preschool. One-fourth of children received care from a friend or neighbor. Over one-quarter of Iowa children ages 0-5 received care in more than one setting in the previous week. Among children who were in any child care, about 40% received care from multiple settings. For those children receiving child care, the number of child care settings did not differ by income level; however, lower income children were less likely to have been in any child care.

 

For the most part, parents chose child care based on quality. Forty-three percent of children were in their main child care setting because their parents had made quality their top priority. However, for many parents, a combination of factors affected the choice of a child care arrangement. Cost, location, and previous experience with the provider were also important reasons for choosing a child care settings. Parents were asked how satisfied they were with their child care arrangements. Eighty percent of children had parents who were ‘very satisfied’ with child care arrangements. However, among children who live in households with incomes below 133% FPL, only 58% had parents who were ‘very satisfied.’