ERIC Number: ED606705
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jun
Pages: 27
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Early Care and Education in Rural Communities. OPRE Research Brief 2020-62
Paschall, Katherine; Halle, Tamara; Maxwell, Kelly
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
This report provides a descriptive comparison of the early care and education (ECE) landscape across rural, moderate-density urban (suburban), and high-density urban areas. The goal of this comparison was to understand whether ECE availability and characteristics in rural areas differ from those in more densely populated communities. We used nationally representative data on both households with young children and ECE providers to describe availability of care, use of and need for child care, and setting and workforce characteristics in rural, moderate-density urban, and high-density urban areas. Key findings from this report relate to the following: (1) Availability and use of care; (2) Families' need for and difficulties finding care; (3) Characteristics of ECE centers and homes by rurality; and (4) Characteristics of ECE center-based and home-based workforces by rurality. In terms of workforce characteristics, findings suggest that listed home-based teachers and caregivers in rural areas may benefit from additional professional supports such as involvement in quality initiatives and professional organizations. Although current findings are representative of ECE in communities of various population densities at a national level, the findings should be supplemented with research using regional or state data to better understand the supply and demand of rural ECE at a more local level.
Descriptors: Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Rural Areas, Child Care Centers, Access to Education, Urban Areas, Suburbs, Rural Urban Differences, Infants, Toddlers, Family Needs, Professional Development, Certification, Family Environment, Accreditation (Institutions), Labor Turnover, Access to Health Care, Transportation, Scheduling, Costs, Predictor Variables, Educational Quality, Preschool Teachers, Caregivers, Individual Characteristics
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. Administration for Children & Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, 330 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20201. Web site: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Administration for Children and Families (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE); Child Trends
Grant or Contract Numbers: HHSP23320095631WC
Author Affiliations: N/A