A National Portrait of ECE Center and Community Characteristics That Predict Subsidy Density

• In Event: Issues in Childcare and Early Education in the United States

Abstract

In recent years, the U.S. has seen declining provider participation in the childcare subsidy system alongside increasing racial, ethnic and socioeconomic segregation within early education settings. Because subsidy policies have the central aim of supporting access to early education for families from low-income backgrounds, our study provides essential insight into predictors of subsidy density—the proportion of children funded by subsidies—within a nationally representative sample of early education centers. Our findings suggest specific features of providers, including sponsorship and enrollment, as well as the center’s location and funding structure are associated with subsidy density. Implications of this work support the continued exploration of policies that incentivize subsidy system participation and support providers in offering equitable, high quality services.

Authors

• Gerilyn Slicker, University of Delaware

• Jason Hustedt, University of Delaware

• Melissa Stoffers, University of Delaware