Assessing risk: Descriptive data related to risk factors experienced by young children and their families in Illinois
An examination of the geographic distribution in Illinois of child and family risk indicators and of early childhood program availability, based on analyses of secondary and administrative data
Reports & Papers
The Australian first-time grandparents study: Time spent with the grandchild and its predictors
Aim: This paper presents data on the amount of contact a large cohort of first-time Australian grandparents have with their grandchild, and the amount of child care they provide. It compares these with grandparents' expectations and desired levels.
Method: Prospective grandparents were assessed on multiple measures before the birth of their grandchild, and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months thereafter.
Results: At the 12-month assessment, grandmothers had approximately 15 hours per week contact, and provided approximately 7.5 hours per week of child care. The corresponding figures for grandfathers were 9.5 hours and 5 hours respectively. Approximately 10% of grandparents reported no contact with their grandchild, and 30-40% reported undertaking no child care. Almost half the grandparents desired more contact than they were actually getting.
Conclusion: Accurate quantification of contact and care is a prerequisite for investigation of the impact of the transition to grandparenthood on health and well-being. (author abstract)
Reports & Papers
Child care subsidies critical for low-income families amid rising child care expenses
A comparison of the child care expenses in 2005 and 2011 of families with working mothers and children under the age of 6, based on secondary analyses of data from the nationally representative 2004 and 2008 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
Reports & Papers
Family proximity, childcare, and women's labor force attachment
We show that close geographical proximity to mothers or mothers-in-law has a substantial positive effect on the labor supply of married women with young children. We argue that the mechanism through which proximity increases labor supply is the availability of childcare. We interpret availability broadly enough to include not only regular scheduled childcare during work hours but also an insurance aspect of proximity (e.g., a mother or mother-in-law who can provide irregular or unanticipated childcare). Using two large datasets, the National Survey of Families and Households and the public use files of the U.S. Census, we find that the predicted probability of employment and labor force participation is 4-10 percentage points higher for married women with young children living in close proximity to their mothers or their mothers-in-law compared with those living further away. (author abstract)
Reports & Papers
How we view Australian early childhood education practice: Indian migrant parents' perspectives
This qualitative case study investigates Indian migrant parents' perspectives of early childhood education (ECE) in Melbourne, Australia. The study focuses on exploring parents' understanding of the structure, pedagogy and curriculum practices in early childhood settings. We selected a sample of six Indian parents, who had migrated to Melbourne not more than five years ago and had children attending Australian ECE. To gather their perspectives and experiences, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted. A framework analysis of the data (Ritchie & Spencer, 1994) points to the preference of Australian ECE to Indian ECE Their preference of Australian ECE is contingent on curriculum flexibility, opportunity for parent participation and active involvement of children in planning and learning. However, participatants, particularly the mothers, missed the academic aspect of Indian ECE and believed that the Australian curriculum and pedagogy distanced their children from their culture. Based on these findings, we argue for early childhood teachers to include the experiences of Indian migrant parents in their children's ECE in Australia to help sustain purposeful partnerships and incorporate culturally relevant activities into the curriculum. (author abstract)
Reports & Papers
Nonmaternal care's association with mother's parenting sensitivity: A case of self-selection bias?
Although attachment theory posits that the use of nonmaternal care undermines quality of mothers' parenting, empirical evidence for this link is inconclusive. Using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and
Youth Development (N =1,233), the authors examined the associations between nonmaternal care characteristics and maternal sensitivity during the first 3 years of children's lives, with special attention to selection effects and moderation by resource levels. Findings from fixed-effects regression models suggested that, on average, there is little relationship between nonmaternal care characteristics and maternal sensitivity, once selection factors are held constant. Some evidence of moderation effects was found, however. Excellent-quality care is related to more sensitivity for mothers with lower family income. Poor-quality care is related to lower sensitivity for single mothers, but not partnered mothers. In sum, nonmaternal care characteristics do not seem to have as much influence on mothers' parenting as attachment theory claims. (author abstract)
Reports & Papers
Office of Child Development and Early Learning: Program reach and risk assessment: State fiscal year 2011-12
An analysis of the geographic distribution in Pennsylvania of school failure risk indicators and of early childhood program availability, based on secondary and administrative data
Reports & Papers
Parent feedback about Individualized Education Program team meetings: A pilot study of parents with prekindergarten students
An examination of Montgomery County, Maryland, parents' experiences of and satisfaction with special education services for their prekindergarten children with disabilities, based on surveys from 349 parents
Reports & Papers
Parents continue to support their children's learning after completing family literacy programs
A study of changes in the home literacy practices and school involvement of parents who participated in a family literacy program in Los Angeles County, California, based on pre- and post-program surveys
Reports & Papers
PBS KIDS Mathematics Transmedia Suites in preschool homes: A report to the CPB-PBS Ready to Learn Initiative
An evaluation of three mathematics transmedia gaming suites, which are videos and computer games linked to established children's educational shows and characters, that examines preschool children's gains in mathematics skills and knowledge and parents' awareness and support of mathematics learning, based on pre- and post-intervention assessments and questionnaires from 46 intervention and 45 comparison children and their parents
Reports & Papers
Snapshot of parent's experiences of childcare and afterschool care
An examination of the child care perceptions and preferences of parents in Ireland, based on survey responses from 1,213 parents
Reports & Papers
