Child Care Survey Results Are In

February 12th, 2010

The Child Development Council has issued a preliminary summary of responses to its 2009 -2010 child care survey of parents. 

Parents who live in or work in Tompkins County answered questions about the quality, cost and availability of child care.  Executive Director of the Child Development Council, Sue Dale-Hall, stated that this year the Council also wanted to find out how the economy is affecting their child care choices.

Six hundred and nine (609) children were represented in the survey.  Approximately 30% were infants or toddlers, 25% were preschoolers ages 3 and 4 and the remaining children were school age. 

"We were pleased that the survey responses were representative of our county and included families of all income levels, from rural and urban areas," said Dale-Hall.

In many ways, parents' experiences in finding and paying for high quality care were not a surprise, as 95% said they are happy with their child care arrangement, but 94% of those who pay fees said they have trouble affording the care.  The Child Development Council has reported for years that there is not enough high quality affordable care in Tompkins County.  Parents seeking care for very young children have the hardest time finding care. Educational programs for preschoolers have grown over the past several years, but the cost continues to be a challenge for all families.

The survey did provide some new insights.  Parents are now - more than ever before - changing their work arrangements if they cannot find the care they want or can afford.  Fifty-six percent (56%) of the parents responding have chosen alternating work schedules to minimize the need for paid child care.  For those with children under the age of 3 years old, 32% negotiated a longer leave, resigned or found a different job because they were not able to find the care they wanted or needed. 

"This information should send a strong message to employers who may be struggling to find workers.  While the economy has temporarily impacted their need for more employees, in the long run finding and retaining a strong workforce is an important goal for our community's economic well-being," states Dale-Hall.  Child care is vital for parents to be able to work consistently and productively.

Families reported that the top three most important considerations in finding child care are quality, cost and the teacher.  When asked what is the most important indicator of quality, parents ranked relationship with the teacher as the most important, followed by the environment and the experience level of the teacher. 

This report will become part of a larger community needs and preferences assessment that includes information on the cost and availability of child care in Tompkins County, teacher wages, and the impact of the economy on the child care community. 

Results of the provider assessment will be available March 1.

Click on graphs below to see full size.