Early child care choices: a theoretical model and research implications

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to propose a theoretical model that relates mothers' selection of child care type to each of the contexts of the proposed model, and then to test the model in a group of forty‐seven mothers of young children (center care users, family day care users, or users in combination of the two) who were recruited in the Mid‐West. Statistical analysis was primarily performed for two groups of mothers (center care users versus family day care users) to investigate differences in each of the paths of the child care selection model. Additional analysis of the group of mothers alternating between the two found that there is a great need for child care among working mothers, and a diversity in their preference of child care type exists even with such a small sample size. Findings from the pilot study substantiated the paths in the model. Directions for future research in this area using the proposed model were provided.