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Produced by Research Connections
Peer Reviewed JournalCurrent Filters: Resource Type:Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects [remove]; Classification:Child Care & Early Education Providers/Organizations [remove];
18 results found.|
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Barriers to Child Care Subsidies A project consisting of three related studies. The first utilizes focus groups and a standardized survey with subsidy eligible families to examine subsidy use among low-income families. The second surveys low-income families to explore how child care preferences may be related to race and culture. The third uses observational measures to examine the quality of kith and kin care for families who do not use subsidies. This research provides policy-relevant information about developing subsidy policies that are sensitive to the contextual and cultural differences among low-income families. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Caring for the Caregivers: Estimating the Causal Impact of Allowing Home-based Child Care Workers to Form Labor Unions on the Cost, Type, and Availability of Subsidized Child Care in Illinois This study investigates the impact of granting Illinois home-based child care providers the right to form a labor union on the per-child cost of subsidized child care for infants and toddlers, the type of child care (home-based vs. center-based) used by subsidy-receiving Illinois infants and toddlers, and the percentage of Illinois infants and toddlers who use child care subsidies. These analyses are conducted using a comparative case study method with social, economic, demographic, and housing data from the American Community Survey and records of the Child Care and Development Fund on United States infants and toddlers whose families received child care subsidies during the period from 2002-2008. Results are expected to reveal whether the unionization of Illinois home-based child care providers increased, via the collective bargaining process, the per-child amount of vouchers paid to providers; and the level of influence, if any, this action affords the unions to influence bureaucratic and regulatory processes encouraging subsidy-receiving families to choose home-based, as opposed to center-based, care for their young children. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Church-sponsored child care: Association of regulatory level with quality for young children The specific aims of this dissertation research are to on explore the quality of church-sponsored center-based child care as observed in three levels of state child care regulation. The first objective is to determine if and how global child care quality and teacher-child interactions vary in infant classrooms and preschool classrooms across three groups of differently-regulated church-sponsored centers. The second objective is to determine if the structural characteristics of group size, adult-child ratio, caregiver education level, and caregiver age mediate the relationship between level of state regulation and child care quality. The results will support the CCDF goals of understanding variations in child care quality provided to children from low income families, and the effects of government regulation on quality, and will inform policy makers as they consider future support and regulation of child care quality. Research questions include: (1) Does overall child care quality and teacher-child interaction differ in infant classrooms and preschool classrooms across the three groups of differently regulated centers?; (2) Do group size, adult-child ratio, caregiver education level, and caregiver age mediate the relationship between level of regulation and global quality scores?; and (3) Do group size, adult-child ratio, caregiver education level, and caregiver age mediate the relationship between level of regulation and teacher-child interaction? |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Comparative Analysis of Subsidized and Non-Subsidized Relative Child Care in Kansas An assessment of the quality of care in subsidized relative care settings, conducted for the purpose of informing policymakers regarding the efficacy of this investment. The objectives are two-fold: (1) to assess and compare quality of care observed in both subsidized and non-subsidized relative child care settings; and (2) to conduct a needs assessment of subsidized relative child care providers from which governmental agencies can facilitate support mechanisms or quality initiatives meeting the specific and unique needs of these providers. The study gathers quantitative data from sample pools of 30 subsidized and 30 non-subsidized relative child care providers from select Kansas counties, using the Child Care Assessment Tool for Relatives (CCAT-R) to measure the quality in relative care environments. Complementary qualitative data is gathered from focus group interviews of subsidized and non-subsidized child care providers. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Essential but Often Ignored: Child Care Providers and the Subsidy System An examination of the characteristics of subsidized and unsubsidized providers, exploring how subsidy policies affect their experiences. The study also describes the participation of faith-based organizations in the child care subsidy system and the occurrence of activities supporting children's early learning and literacy in diverse settings. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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The Habitat of Family Child Care Providers: The Influences of Caregiver, Contextual and Group Characteristics on Quality Care A study of 67 licensed family child care providers, examining the unique and combined influences of factors, including education and training, psychological well-being, adult attachment style, commitment to care, and social support, that may promote or undermine quality caregiving. Guided by an ecological model, the study explores links between determinants of caregiver behavior and quality of care, hypothesizing that quality is influenced not only by the process and structural components of child care environments, but also by the personal and supportive characteristics of caregivers. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Informal Caregiving Among the White Mountain Apache and its Impact on Child Health and Well Being An ethnographic study of informal kith and kin care among the White Mountain Apaches, and the effects of child care practices on child health, with an exploration of the implications of welfare reform for parent employment and child care. The project has three basic components: (1) patterns of caregiving; (2) the practice of alternative caregiving and health related behaviors; and (3) community attitudes. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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A Longitudinal Study of Legal, Unregulated Family Child Care Providers Who Participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program A study following legal, unregulated family child care providers for three years, focusing only on providers who participate in the subsidy system, and assessing the quality of care, the continuity of care, and the effects of participating in quality improvement activities on quality of care over time. Providers are interviewed every three months in order to provide accurate information on variables such as continuity of service provision and continuity of care for children. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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National Study of Child Care for Low-Income Families A five-year research effort, in 17 states and 25 communities, designed to provide information on the responses of states and communities to the child care needs of low income families, the employment and child care choices made by low income families, and the factors that influence those choices. The study includes an in-depth, longitudinal study of low income families and their family child care providers in five of the 25 study communities. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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New Model of School Readiness: A Multi-Faceted, Developmental Approach A project that employs a series of longitudinal models to examine the importance of a multi-faceted definition of school readiness in the context of out-of-home child care environments. The definition of readiness includes children's development of social competence and executive functioning, and ability to adapt to the transition from child care to school. These competencies are evaluated for links from earlier longitudinal patterns of sensitive caregiving in child care, and examined for their contributions to children's development of academic and behavioral competence in elementary school. The project employs Phase I, II, and III of the data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care. Study 1 examines individual differences in developmental trajectories of social competence and executive functioning from 24 months of age through second grade. Study 2 identifies the importance of early child care experiences that may contribute to children's individual differences in development of executive functioning and social competence. Study 3 builds on the first study, including social competence with peers and executive functioning. Study 4 utilizes data from the first three studies to investigate individual and family level risk factors. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Quality Interventions for Early Care and Education (QUINCE) A randomized controlled trial testing three different formats for delivering training and professional development to child care providers working in centers and from their homes. The model tested is known as The Right from Birth model of training, based on two parenting books written by Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey -- Right from Birth and Going to School -- each of which serve as companion books for two public television series designed for both parents and child care providers, spanning birth to age 8. The model previously had been used with several thousand child care providers who made significant gains in caregiver knowledge, but the translation into everyday improved quality of child care had not been rigorously studied. The study design involves two phases. In Phase I, providers are randomly assigned to one of three formats: (1) individualized study using videotapes and books; (2) a six-session workshop format; or (3) a highly intensive form of on-site training named The "Right from Birth" Immersion Training for Excellence (RITE). The RITE is a full-day coaching model for 20 days over a four to five week period; to our knowledge, it is the most intensive form of on-site coaching tested in an RCT. Results affirm significant improvements in the quality of adult-child interactions and the overall quality of care from both the workshop format and the RITE model -- with the benefits being markedly larger for the RITE model. In Phase II, another group of providers are recruited and assigned randomly to either three workshops or the 20-day RITE training. Once again, both groups--whether in centers or family child care--benefit, with the largest and most enduring benefits associated with the RITE model. Training materials are available. Although initially the RITE appears to be an expensive form of training, estimates are that it probably is comparable to many other coaching models that make once or twice a month visits that are less specified and occur over a one- to two-year period, but have not yet magnitude of benefits as the RITE model. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Quality Interventions for Early Care and Education (QUINCE) A multi-state study of an assessment-based individualized on-site consultation model--The Partnerships for Inclusion (PFI) model--implemented in California, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Carolina. The consultation consisted of child care provider training for providers and teachers in both centers and homes, with a special emphasis on providers in family child care homes, including license-exempt care. The goal of the research was to determine the conditions under which a very specific assessment based, on-site consultation model of child care provider training would enhance the quality of the family home or child care classroom and caregiving practices, and also result in positive child outcomes. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Stress Reactivity and Immune Function in Preschoolers A study of the potential effects of altered patterning of cortisol--a stress-sensitive hormone detectable in saliva, which when elevated can suppress the immune system--among children who attend child care. The study examines the relationship between cortisol patterning across the day and evening and individual caregiving and temperament, as well as the relationship between cortisol patterning and sIgA--a measure of immune function. The study also discusses the implications for child care policy if cortisol elevations are related to suppressed immune function--including the need to weigh the benefits of child care interventions against potentially compromised health in low-income children who may have additional stressors at home, and suggests further research that could explore ways to minimize the stressors of group care to attenuate cortisol elevations and thus prevent any potential negative effects. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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A Study of Informal Child Care A multi-method, descriptive study of informal care, analyzing data (including State subsidy data) to assess utilization of subsidized informal care statewide. Data are gathered from focus groups and interviews conducted in three diverse Illinois communities to gain the perspectives of parents, providers, and staff of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, including comprehensive interviews with 300 parents and 300 informal providers. The study develops strategies for providing services and supports to informal caregivers. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Supporting Quality in Home-Based Care The purpose of this project is to provide useful information for policymakers and administrators who aim to develop or fund initiatives for home-based caregivers and researchers seeking to build the knowledge base about home-based care. The project had three primary objectives: (1) to systematically gather information from existing research on home-based child care and on initiatives that aim to support these caregivers; (2) to synthesize the available evidence on home-based care; and (3) to propose next steps for designing and evaluating initiatives that aim to improve the quality of care in these settings |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Sustaining Family Child Care Providers' Psychosocial Wellness The purpose of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the training and support needs of Family Child Care Providers (FCCPs). Though past research indicates that work-family balance issues create unique challenges to FCCPs psychosocial wellness and that they may benefit from professional and social support, to date no studies have linked these factors using a theoretically driven framework. Our mixed-methods study will contribute to the literature on psychosocial wellness of FCCPs by investigating an integrated theoretical framework that describes the impact of work-family balance challenges upon FCCPs' psychosocial wellness, and accounts for the role of professional and social support in sustaining these individuals in their work and family roles. Research questions include: (1) Are higher levels of perceived stress among FCCPs associated with higher levels of provider consideration of exiting the FCC profession and less engagement in professional development?; (2) How do the routines in family child care (FCC) homes reflect the challenges FCCPs face in managing the overlaps of personal family life and the child care business? Specifically, what do FCCPs perceive the advantages and challenges of providing FCC to be? How do the rhythms of child care and family life facilitate or interfere with FCCPs accomplishing their professional development plans?; and (3) How do the personal and professional networks of FCCPs support their child care work and psychosocial wellness? Specifically, how do FCCPs view the role of other FCCPs and child care support personnel, what have their experiences been like when interacting with child care support personnel, and which support services have been most helpful? |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Variations in Child Care and School Success: Longitudinal Follow-up of the Cost, Quality, and Outcomes Study A longitudinal follow-up of the Cost, Quality, and Child Outcomes Study through fifth grade, examining variations in child care quality and school performance. |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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Who Leaves? Who Stays? A Longitudinal Study of the Child Care Workforce A multi-sector analysis of the factors that promote quality and stability among home-based providers who serve subsidized and non-subsidized children in informal, license-exempt, and regulated settings, including an examination of the professional and financial supports that enable providers to offer high quality care while also maintaining their own economic well-being |
Administration for Children and Families/OPRE Projects
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