The need for quality child care has risen over the past several years, according to a survey commissioned by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) that examines how the economy has affected perceptions of child care in America: Fifty-seven percent of parents reported in 2010 that child care was a necessity, compared with 49 percent in 2006. (Click here for the report.)

The majority of child care consumers say they have experienced job losses, changes and wage cuts which have sometimes forced them to compromise the quality of their child care. Among child care consumers, four in 10 say the current economy has adversely affected their child care arrangements and more than one-third of parents have changed their children’s child care routine as a result.

The nationwide survey, which was conducted for NACCRRA by Lake Research Partners, asks a thousand parents and grandparents with children under the age of 12 about their child care views and experiences. Families consistently report that their greatest concern about child care arrangements is quality, followed by cost. The majority of parents say that quality care is a necessity that enables them to find and keep jobs in an economy where both parents must work.  

Most parents’ perceptions about the quality of child care far exceed current national standards. For example, the majority of parents believe that all child care providers are required to have training when, in fact, providers in most states are not required to have any training – not in CPR or first aid, not in basic health and safety practices, and not in child development. Only 11 states require comprehensive background checks including a federal fingerprint check before the issuance of a child care license.

Survey participants overwhelmingly support improving the quality and oversight of child care at the national level. For example, 96 percent of those surveyed support requiring background checks for all providers who care for children as a business. Ninety-two percent support minimum training requirements to ensure children are safe and in settings that promote healthy development; 95 percent support requiring regular child care inspections. Most parents would like to see policies that require all child care providers to pass background checks, be licensed and undergo training, as well as to pass regular health and safety inspections. 

Child care is a fact of life for more than 11 million children under age 5 every week. Studies repeatedly show that quality child care -- care that provides a safe, stable and age-appropriate environment -- helps children enter school ready to learn.

Located just outside of Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Virginia, NACCRRA works to promote and improve early learning settings for all children. Since 1987, NACCRRA’s advocacy work has stemmed from evidence-based research that is used to educate and inform policymakers about the importance of quality, accessible and affordable child care for all working families.

Providing Support for Working Families and Early Learning Professionals
Working with more than 600 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies, NACCRRA leads initiatives that increase the quality and availability of child care and offers professional development for child care providers that positively impact the lives of children.

Child Care Aware® (CCA), a program of NACCRRA, operates a national toll-free hotline, 1-800-424-2246, and website, www.childcareaware.org ,that provide child care and parenting information to families in both English and Spanish. CCA connects families to local CCR&Rs and is supported through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Child Care.

The Child Care Aware® Parent Network (CCAPN) is a free membership organization which supports parent engagement and unites all individuals who support access to safe, quality and affordable child care. The goal is to form parent advocacy networks in each state to advocate among policymakers and to promote stronger child care laws in every region.

The Child Care Aware Training Academy™ offers specialized online courses for child care providers that are designed to meet annual in-service training requirements and hours required for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or CDA credential renewal.  The Training Academy also offers professional development opportunities for CCR&R staff. 

In March, NACCRRA will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill with a host of early learning professionals, policymakers, corporations, and special guests in attendance. As part of the celebration, the organization will also unveil its new rebranding as Child Care Aware® of America. To learn more about NACCRRA’s Anniversary Gala, programs, products and services, please visit www.naccrra.org