Many
states have implemented Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS).
One main purpose of QRIS is to support parents in selecting high quality
child care for their children. To develop effective QRIS, it is
important to understand how parents make child care decisions, what they
value in selecting a child care arrangement, and what skills they
expect their children to be developing in preparation for school. Child
Trends, in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education,
has conducted several group interviews with low-income parents, child
care providers, kindergarten teachers, and resource and referral
counselors.
Three research briefs were produced from these interviews:
Key findings include:
- Low-income
parents cited three trusted sources for information about child care
providers: personal or professional referrals, media outlets, and
independent research via the internet.
- Parents
considered, on average, 2-3 options during their last search for a
provider, and three-quarters of parents said their options were limited.
- Though
more than half of the interviewed parents cited learning opportunities
as a characteristic of ideal care arrangements, very few reported
considering this when making their last child care choice.
- More
than two-thirds of parents (70%) reported that whether providers were
"licensed," "credentialed," or "accredited" was a low priority or not a
consideration when making their last child care choice.
- Most
of the elements parents cited in their definitions of "school
readiness" mirrored the topics included in Maryland's Model for School
Readiness, though parents also included basic safety skills like the
child knowing their name and knowing to call 911 in an emergency.
As
administrators continue to develop consumer education materials and
validate their Quality Rating and Improvement Systems, this is an ideal
time to ensure that 1) programs developed for parents are using terms
that reflect parents' values for child care, particularly provider
trustworthiness and the safety and security of children, and 2) all
parents can access and afford high quality care options when selecting
care for their child.
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