Child Care Subsidies: Parental Perceptions and Differences between Recipients and Nonrecipients

Abstract

Child care subsidies are underutilized and underfunded, however much research has shown encouraging outcomes linked to subsidy use for both families and children. Despite some positive results, less is understood about how parents perceive the subsidy program, and barriers to entry and continuity. The goals of this study were to understand differences between low-income parents who used child care subsidies and those who did not, and to assess parental perceptions of the program. Data were collected from a sample of parents who utilized nonparental child care. Significant differences were found between parents who used child care subsidies and those who did not. Families who received subsidies expressed both positive and negative perceptions of the subsidy system. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.