Iowa’s employers and workforce depend on the services that child care providers offer to families with young children. A recent study by Iowa State University Extension and several partner organizations found that of the 570,000 children in Iowa from birth to age 12, nearly 67 percent are in some type of paid child care.
“Although many employed parents would prefer that a family member care for their children, most use some kind of paid child care,” said Donna Donald, ISU Extension family life field specialist. “More than half of the study participants report that if this child care were not available, they would stop working.”
National studies show that, while the public generally believes that the optimal care arrangement for young children is a stay-at-home parent, in reality this is no longer an option for the majority of U.S. families, Mrs. Donald said. “Many Iowa families struggle to find high quality, affordable child care so they can work.”
The current dependence on a privately paid system of child care has resulted in low wages for child care providers, low quality of care and high staff turnover, Mrs. Donald said. “Yet this industry needs a stable, high quality workforce in order for children in their care to thrive. Recent brain research shows that high quality child care is critical for children under age 6 since this is the time when brain growth and learning occur most quickly. Quality is important because research shows that children who are cared for in high quality settings do better in school and have a better foundation for later success in life.”
The study showed that in addition to nurturing children, high quality child care offers other economic benefits to Iowa. More than 17,000 Iowans are directly employed in the child care field. Many others have jobs to supply the demand for goods and services that child care businesses need.
“The child care industry contributes to Iowa’s economic vitality and prepares our children to be successful, productive future workers,” Mrs. Donald said. “For more information on this study, contact a family life field specialist at your Iowa State University Extension county office.”
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Donna Donald-lt
4/30/2006