Understanding Preschool Parents' Childcare Search and Decision Making

• In Event: Examining Perspectives of Families, Children, and Teachers

Abstract

This study aims to explore how parents of preschoolers seek out and select early care and education (ECE) programs. ECE search is an important part of the parental decision-making process. The present study used data from the National Survey of Early Care and Education (n = 500) to examine the relationship between parents’ search strategies and their ECE choices. Results showed that parents’ perceptions of ECE, preferences of child care characteristics, and a group of family and community characteristics are significantly associated with the number of providers that parents consider. Parents are also more likely to use an ECE arrangement if they know a provider through personal relationships. Key predictors of parental ECE choices will be identified later.

Authors

• Jing Tang, Child Trends

• Rena Hallam, University of Delaware

• Jessica Francis, University of Delaware