African American, White and Hispanic child care preferences: A factorial survey analysis of welfare leavers by race and ethnicity

This research investigates the child care preferences of poor White, African American and Hispanic parents. Using the factorial survey method, this research examines the impact of race and ethnicity on child care preferences and definitions of child care quality. The findings do not support the conclusion that race and ethnicity are a major source of division in preferences for child care. Rather there was consensus around desired core care attributes associated with child care quality. Across racial and ethnic lines, parents wanted safe and regulated care that was evaluated by a government agency with warm and trained caregivers. Findings suggest that differences in child care use by race and ethnicity may not be due to different preferences for particular types of care, but for bundles of care characteristics people may believe are associated with particular care situations. Different child care choices may not stem from cultural differences, but more from market constraints and lack of information.