The Unequal Capacity of Communities to Care for Young Children

• In Event: Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: Inequities, Cradle to Curriculum

Abstract

A family’s ability to prepare for schooling and return to the labor market by accessing child care is affected by their available financial resources, but also by their location. In addition, high quality early educational experiences are beneficial for young children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and even physical development. This study assesses the variation in capacity of communities to care for children from birth to age five. Our findings are clear in that geography, location, wealth, and size are all related to the capacity of communities to provide state-registered care opportunities for families across NYS. Policy must respond to these inequities.

Authors

• John W. Sipple, Cornell University

• Hope G. Casto, Skidmore College

• Lisa McCabe, Cornell University