Abstract
This paper presents statistics showing the high costs of childcare, especially as it affects single-parent families. It argues that the need for childcare to be affordable and high-quality. It also examines the plight of impoverished women, who often have to use informal childcare arrangements in order to make ends meet. The paper calls for a balance between affordability of daycare and quality of daycare to be achieved.

From the Paper
"Over the past two decades, perhaps the most marked change in family structure has been the increase in single-parent families (Kirby). In 1990, the number of single-parent families with children under the age of 18 was 9.7 million, compared to 3.8 million in 1970 (Kirby). Moreover, children today are more likely to live in a singe-parent family for reasons other than the death of a parent for the first time in history (Kirby). Approximately 40 percent of children under the age of 18 will experience parental separation or divorce, and roughly one in four children are born to an unmarried mother (Kirby). Furthermore, 90 percent of single-parent families are headed by females, while single mothers with dependent children have the highest rate of poverty across all demographic groups (Kirby). Some 60 percent of American children living in mother-only families are impoverished, compared with only 11 percent of two-parent families, with the rate even higher among African American single-parent families, in which two out of three children are poor (Kirby). "

Tags:daycare, childcare, single-parent, families, poverty

Abstract
This paper describes the need for a national system of childcare that is supported and regulated by the U.S. government. The paper describes the very positive effects that quality childcare can have on a child's development as well as the very negative effects that poor childcare or lack of childcare can have on a child's development. The paper then points out that many American children from poor neighborhoods do not have access to the type of childcare that would have a positive influence on their lives and explains the many reasons why they do not have this access. Finally, the paper argues that it is in the best interests of society for the U.S. government to regulate and fund a national system of childcare.

From the Paper
"There are four significant, interconnected concerns in child-care policy, on which the government can make contributions. One is the adequacy of the supply of "affordable" child care. A second is the proper role of government, if any, in providing or paying for child care. A third is whether the public could afford to have the government provides child care, assuming that such provision was deemed appropriate and desirable. A fourth is the standards of quality that should be mandated by the government for federal or private-sector child-care facilities. The standard literature tends to be scant on all of these topics. A lot of support groups and providers in the U.S. in the last decade have shifted the language used to describe their substantive policy goals and programs to "early childhood education."Some organizations prior to the 1990s, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children, already had early childhood education and/or early childhood development as part of their general policy board. What is dissimilar is that early childhood education (ECE) has become one of the foundation frames most actors and organizations use to talk about early childhood programs in an effort to point out that quality child care is educational.( Rolnick A, Grunewald R.)"

Tags:premium, children, fitness, learning, preschool, sound, supportive, emotionally, second-rate

Abstract
This paper examines the fundamental differences in the systems of childcare provided to working parents in the United States and in France. The paper explains the basic laws pertaining to the rights of working parents, descriptions of varying childcare arrangements available in each country, and the level of educational content emphasized in each arrangement. The paper also discusses the history of working families and childcare arrangements in the United States and in France, for the purpose of evaluating how each system is ingrained in the culture. The paper concludes that the United States is capable of providing a much more family-friendly system than is currently in place.

Outline:
Introduction
France: Laws
France: Childcare
United States: Laws
United States: Childcare
Funding Comparison
History - Viewpoints and Trends
The Hidden System
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The United States, like most other cultures and societies around the world, is vulnerable to ethnocentric feelings which may prevent change in some of its established systems. I believe this to be true in the case of our childcare system today. In concert with our desire for low government "interference" in our lives, our in ability to see the importance of a universally available, nationally sponsored childcare system hinders the path to improved education and quality care for our country's youngest citizens. By comparison, the social programs of European nations like France, though they place a high tax burdens on the people, display much more of a commitment both to quality care and to the future educational achievements of the young. What is puzzling is that, in the midst of debate in the U.S. about ways to improve childcare without turning into a socialist government, there lies an alternative - run by the very government that refused to get involved in childcare for education's sake for generations - which has proven that a good system run by federal standards can be launched and run successfully in under 20 years. This system is in place and running silently within our nation's Department of Defense, serving the children of those who serve our country on military bases worldwide."

Tags:family, education, society, law, funding, medical

Abstract
This paper assesses the theoretical outcomes of the use of childcare, and does so through addressing the arguments and relevant research in the areas of childcare theory, cognitive development, and morality issues. The paper does not provide a conclusion that definitively argues either in favor of or against childcare, for there is no conclusive way to reconcile the issues involved.

From the Paper
"Social Work: Assessing Theoretical Outcomes of the Use of Childcare Services Introduction Childcare and daycare services are controversial in that they serve a function that is arguably better served within the home and by the parental caregivers of the child. This controversy comes from the degree of influence that caregivers have over the developing child; childcare services might protect the child from physical threats, but a significant aspect of the younger child's development comes from learning and subsequent psychological and character development, and it is not recognized whether childcare is fully capable to fulfill these other developmental needs. This paper assesses the theoretical outcomes of the use of childcare, and does so through addressing the arguments and relevant research in the areas of childcare theory, cognitive development, and morality issues."

Tags:daycare, abuse, theory

Abstract
This paper explains that childcare, like other goods and services, is a commodity, which is bought and sold in "the market". The author points out that the increase in the number of women in the workforce, the decline of the extended family located near nuclear families and the high divorce rate are trends, which have increased the demand for childcare services. The paper relates that planning and operations issues of childcare companies can be affected by changes in interest, inflation, and unemployment rates, which influence macroeconomic forecasts.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Product and Services
Strategies Used to Increase Revenue
The Demand for Services/Market Structures
Issues Affecting Consumer Demand and Price
Economic Forecast Component
Explanation for Economic Forecasts Variations
Implications of Forecasts on Planning and Operations
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This facility offers a variety of quality services that most childcare facilities do not offer. Quality has a seven-point scale, with a range from inadequate, to mediocre, to excellent. This index is used widely in early childhood literature to gauge the quality of the services produced at childcare centers. The quality-adjusted cost functions for childcare centers were estimated and it was discovered that an elasticity of cost with respect to (process) quality. By these estimates, it would cost $243 to $324 per child per year (in 1993 dollars) to increase the quality of childcare services from "mediocre" to "good." The estimated marginal cost of quality was similar. The facility offers additional services such as weekend workshops for parents and children, On-Call/After-hours instructor availability, Progress Reports, Parents night out childcare, and Field Trips. Most often parents do not have time to stop and play with their children at drop off or pick up time. In many cases, only one parent drops off and picks up the child so one parent rarely visits the facility and instructors. Weekend Workshops allow parents and children to explore together, and at the same time promote our program to potential families. This feature generates additional income through community parenting workshops as well."

Tags:commodity, workforce, planning, quality, product

Abstract
The paper discusses how working days lost to caring for sick children or because of unreliable sources of daycare may mean a drain on both company productivity and female career prospects. The paper suggests a simple solution of bringing childcare to work and explains how this company investment and commitment has many benefits, including the fact that it can create a more positive workplace atmosphere. The paper points out the research that would have to be done before opening such a childcare facility.

Outline:
Introduction: Working Parents
Imagination
Improvement
Investment
Incubation

From the Paper
'The solution is simple--bringing childcare to work. Although telecommuting is not an option for many high-stakes jobs, bringing the home to the workforce in the form of on-site childcare ensures that parents feel secure that their children are well taken care of during the day. Also, creating daycare facilities for the workplace means that parents will not lose additional time commuting to nursery school in the morning and that their daycare is reliable and affordable. This company investment and commitment can create a more positive workplace atmosphere. Employees, particularly women, will not feel forced into 'divided loyalties' between home and family. Even while working on a crucial project or working late, parents can stop and see their children during the day. The existence of on-site daycare becomes a 'perk' in attracting high-level talent during the peak years of productivity.
"Statistics make a compelling case: "savings in wages of $150,000 and $250,000 for just two companies that provided on-site day care" underline the advantage of retention and company loyalty through corporate daycare (Hahn 2007). Workers will be less apt to stay home when they cannot find care or a sitter--also they can monitor a mildly ill child at the facility, rather than stay home. For women, corporate daycare levels the playing field and means they do not have to choose between motherhood and a career."

Tags:absenteeism, productivity, career, daycare

Abstract
This is a research paper which explores the possibilities of considering community childcare options in the mix of city planning. It examines case studies of companies that have instituted company-based childcare and reviews the successes and failures of these programs. The paper concludes with the finding that companies benefit by sponsoring child care programs and that these programs can be easily instituted in the urban planning setting.

From the Paper
"The needs of cities are changing also and many have pointed out that what worked in the past no longer worked now. City planing has evolved from deciding where to place the buildings and roads to looking more closely at the needs of the communities that make up the city. Many of these plans focus on the inner city where there are many women that cannot work due to the needs of having to care for their children. They cannot afford childcare and cannot go out of their community to obtain it. Recently there has been a movement towards designing cities around a community center. The proposed research will explore the successes and failures of company based childcare and will make recommendations as to how company based childcare can become a part of urban planning as well."

Tags:mothers, workforce, companies, city, planning, children, women, united, states

Abstract
This paper examines how the individualists point of view in American society effects childcare today in terms of public funding and available quality care. It illustrates how other western societies value children as a communal responsibility and therefore provide public funding for the future generations through quality daycare. The paper describes the current economic demands for two income families and further education. It offers research, statistics and examines the Troy State University marketing strategy by providing childcare for its students.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Demographic Considerations
Quality and Availability
Research Design and Procedures
Findings
Conclusions and Recommendations
References

From the Paper
"In the United States, childcare is most usually thought of as something that is entirely the responsibility of a family. This is based (although very rarely explicitly) on a view of society in which the individual is the most important unit. Because the United States is a society that emphasizes individual responsibility, there is relatively little public policy devoted to communal caregiving. This is different from other countries in which, for example, childcare is seen as something that the entire community is responsible for. This belief is based on the acknowledgment that not only is the raising of a child in many ways simply too much work for one family to take on alone but also the acknowledgment that each child embodies the future of the whole society and so must be well raised. Thus childcare is seen as the responsibility of the state.
Many Americans believe that childcare should be carried out primarily by the parents, and even more by the mother. But this is simply not a tenable idea in the 21st century. Economic concerns force most adults to work and women as well as men wish to have rewarding and useful careers. This is especially true of those individuals seeking higher education."

Tags:america, children, care, daycare, tro, state, public, funding, family, educaion, income, women, role

Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that as more and more women have entered the paid workforce, one might expect that men would take on an increasing share of the housework and childcare. The writer discusses that while there has been some change in this area, domestic labor is still regarded by many as "women's work," and men do not participate sufficiently.

From the Paper
"After all, the rationale for women doing almost all of this used to be that the domestic sphere was their sphere, while the paid workforce outside of the home was the male sphere. As this is no longer the case, one could reasonably expect that men would be sharing housework and childcare equally. However, while ..."

Tags:women, men, housework

Abstract
This paper discusses childcare facilities. A facility was observed for two hours, and the age range of the children served at that facility and details such as the hours of program operation were noted. The paper then describes and analyzes the classroom, teachers, aides, caregivers and other volunteers in the classroom.