Child Care Expenditures for Preschoolers

Among the 347 preschool children of employees sampled, 44.7% were cared for “in own home,” the most prevalent arrangement for preschoolers, followed by 34.3% who were cared for “in other'S home,” and 21%, or about one in five, who were in child care centers, a rate less than the national average. Using child care centers located at or near work and dissatisfaction with child care increased the level of expenditures per child for child care services. Lower expenditures on child care services were associated with using in own home care located at or near school, having older preschoolers, being in the three middle-range income brackets, and having a partner working part-time. These results suggest the need for a variety of child care solutions and arrangements.