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). "
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.)"
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
This paper discusses the demands for childcare, service, costs, marketing strategies and economic impact, using Kiddie Kollege, a childcare facility, as an example.
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."
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."
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 acknowledgement 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 acknowledgement 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 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 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.
Abstract The paper considers both the advantages and disadvantages of center-based care and in-home care. The paper is of the opinion that sending a child to center-based care will create the better environment for the child's development. The paper offers this perspective to Kishta, a mother of a young child and concludes that although this is his personal view, not every family is the same, nor is every child and therefore each child's situation should be analyzed individually.
Outline:
Introduction
Positive Effects of Center-Based Childcare Negative Effects of Center-Based Childcare Positive Effects of In-Home Childcare Negative Effects of In-Home Childcare My Position
My Advice to Kishta
Conclusion
From the Paper "When a couple has a child, a major decision is how to care for the child on a daily basis. Traditionally, the mother will stay home to provide child care until school age is reached. Alternatively, some parents may choose to send their children to center-based childcare instead of staying at home. The main benefit of center-based care is that both parents can maintain employment, providing dual incomes. Some argue that the benefits of home-based care include a more secure attachment with the child, however one can claim that as long as a steady environment is kept both at home and at a day care provider, then the parent-child relationship will not suffer. "
Abstract This paper explains that Starland Daycare will offer a full-range of childcare services for infants and toddlers and after school care for older children. The author points out that the Queens area is a growth market with 50% of the population working adults. The paper reports that the SWOT analysis reveals that the market upside justifies this start-up and that marketing initiatives can overcome parent reservations regarding start-up childcare centers without an established reputation. The author concludes that the competitive analysis shows that the market currently has many childcare centers; however, the market demand has outpaced the industry's ability to meet this demand. The paper concludes that Starland Daycare has an excellent market entry opportunity provided it sites itself appropriately. The paper includes a chart showing a competitor profile matrix.
Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Situation Analysis
Service Overview
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Competitive Analysis
From the Paper "The greatest threat in the childcare industry is the regulatory apparatus within which the industry's competitors must operate. There are federal and state guidelines and provisions that must be following as well as safety and health requirements of the local county and city offices which must be complied with. These regulations limit the number of children that a center can serve as well as the type of child in that the care and service arrangements for infants and toddlers are different than those for older children."
Abstract An analysis of childcare in Maryland, and the advantages and disadvantages of the programs in this field. By understanding certain aspects of childcare in the effectual relationships, we can see how the care may have ramifications for the child.
Abstract The paper discusses a company's need to maintain a work environment that stimulates employee interaction and economic growth. The paper explains that offering employees on-site childcare will help strengthen the retention rate of the workers and attract the best in the industry for future hire. The paper discusses the benefits of both contractor and company run on-site childcare, as well as the ways that the company will succeed in this proposal. The paper concludes that companies no longer only have a competitive obligation to their industry, but they also have a social obligation to the community that they impact. Providing an on-site daycare center will help with that social obligation as well as increase the ability to recruit and retain the most professional employees in the industry.
Outline:
Introduction
Benefits
Comparing Contracting It Out Or Providing It Ourselves
Approximate Cost of Each Option
Conclusion
From the Paper "Avionics Solutions, a small firm based in Washington, D.D., is a leader in manufacturing avionics equipment and prides it self on being a family-owned business that delivers high quality products. It is in the company's best interest to stay ahead of the competition to retain its best employees. To this end, the company must maintain a work environment that stimulates employee interaction and economic growth. To recruit and retain the best employees in the industry it is important to understand that they are the company's greatest asset. Offering employees onsite childcare will help strengthen the retention rate of the workers and attract the best in the industry for future hire."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the question over who should care for children is once again being debated throughout North America, with many advocating that very young children be raised with either their mothers or a close member of the family instead of attending child care centers. The writer discusses research indicating that the poor quality of care given in existing centers throughout the United States is the reason for problems within the classroom, as children who attend these care centers are believed to have both development and social problems. The writer concludes that the important point of the debate over child care should be how to ensure quality care for children whose parents have to work, or have chosen to work, through understanding and enabling effective and positive child development and growth within center-based childcare.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
An Overview of Child Care in the United States
Contemporary Childcare in the United States
Towards an Effective Child Care System
Conclusion
From the Paper "The changes in society over the past few decades have completely transformed the contemporary world, mainly through the consequences of warfare and the recent advancements in technology, which has also changed the lives of women. Accounting for almost half of the nation's workforce, a vast majority of them either are already mothers or will be, which means that something needs to be done about the childcare situation in America. Although center-based childcare is not, perhaps, the ideal situation for mothers and their children, most parents have little choice."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes 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 points out that 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 there has been some change in this respect, the writer maintains that domestic labor is still regarded by many as "women's work," and men do not participate sufficiently. This paper reviews this unfortunate situation, and the reasons for it. It argues that the primary reason for this situation is that it derives from the fundamental structure of patriarchal, capitalist societies, so that the solution can lie in nothing less than a fundamental, radical restructuring of society.
From the Paper "These are precisely the two major difficulties that face us in solving this riddle. For example, it would certainly seem that work in the domestic sphere and work in the paid labour force outside of the house are negatively correlated, in that the more hours one puts in at one workplace, the less hours one has available to put in at the other. It is a fact that women still work fewer hours per year, and as we noted above, it is a fact that they still do the lion's share of work in the domestic sphere. These two facts are clearly related, although in something of a chicken and egg way - and as Hou and Omwanda explain, we certainly cannot say that one factor causes the other, due to the possibility of multicausality. For example, we might need to look to religious, social or educational factors to account for the differences, as well. And even if we could say that this was the case for one woman, we could scarcely generalize to the entire population of women, particularly in a diverse country."
The following essay critically compares two books, "The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care" by Dr. Benjamin Spock and , "Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5", edited by Steven P. Shelov.
Abstract This paper discusses Dr.Spock's book which tends to adopt a more relaxed and common sense approach, while Steven Shelov's book makes use of the recent advances in medical, psychological and technological knowledge to offer advice which embraces a more scientific and calculated strategy to childcare.
From the Paper ?During the last fifty years the world has witnessed many social, political and economic changes, and this has been mirrored in the advice and guidance offered to parents on the subject of child development. The world into which a child is born today is vastly different from that of 1946, when Dr. Benjamin Spock first released his child rearing how-to manual, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, and the nature of the advice offered, and the language with which it is conveyed is therefore far removed from that contained in the 1991 guidebook, Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, edited by Steven P. Shelov. Yet, despite the many differences, the two books also contain a surprising number of similarities which suggests that, irrespective of the dramatic changes that may affect the lives of individuals, the fundamental problems associated with child rearing, and the effective solutions, remain constant.?
