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Finding child care in two Chicago communities: The voices of Latina mothers

Description:
This study explores how Latino families living in predominantly Latino communities in Chicago make childcare decisions given the density of formal care options in their communities. The study draws on interviews with 32 Latina mothers and 8 directors of childcare centers from two communities, Little Village (lower-density formal childcare) and Belmont Cragin (higher density formal childcare). It also considers different sources of information about childcare options and the range of factors that shape childcare decisions among Latina mothers. Overall, we did not find substantial differences in perceptions of childcare access, use, or decision making between the study participants in Little Village and Belmont Cragin. This finding suggests that in a context of relative scarcity, differences in density of childcare options may matter less than other factors. Families in both communities perceived a limited supply of childcare and noted that they lacked sufficient information about their options. We found that issues of trust, safety, logistics, cost, and familial beliefs about care, especially as it relates to very young children, were driving factors in families’ decisions about placing their child in formal care. An overview of findings and recommendations can be found in the Executive Summary, with more detailed information in the full report. With this report, we aim to equip policymakers, childcare providers, parents, and community organizations with new information about Latino parents’ knowledge of childcare options in their community and the factors that are most important in their efforts to meet their childcare needs. (author abstract)
Resource Type:
Reports & Papers
Country:
United States
State(s)/Territories/Tribal Nation(s):
Illinois

Related resources include summaries, versions, measures (instruments), or other resources in which the current document plays a part. Research products funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation are related to their project records.

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