Exploratory Essay

“14.2 million children under age 13 met federal requirements for child-care subsidies in 2011-2012. Of that number, 8.6 million were eligible under state policies. Yet only 1.5 million children actually received the subsidies. That means only 10.6 percent of the number of children meeting federal guidelines actually get the subsidy” (Davidson 2017). The question that will be answered throughout this paper is, how accessible is childcare in the United States? Child care is the care of children by a day-care center, babysitter, or other provider while parent/ parents/ or legal guardian is working. The median household income for the United States is $53,8895 (Census Bureau) and the average cost of childcare is between $10,000 and $16,000 (Hamm 2015). This means that childcare can cost families making the median income 30% of their annual income. Given that this is the median household income, half of households have an income that is below this costing them more than 30% of their income. The United States has excellent child care that is affordable for some, however, most low-income families are unable to afford it.

Some families are not able to provide childcare when they need it for their kid(s). “The cost and the scarcity of day care have helped create what sociologist Joya Misra calls “the motherhood penalty”” (Quart). Some families have to have only one income so that one parent could stay home to watch the kid(s). Single parents have to move in with their parents for help because they can not afford the care. People should not have to quit their jobs to take care of their kids when there are multiple daycare facilities.

When discussing the costs of daycares, a parent must consider preschool programs and traditional daycares. Most preschool fees are comparable to the high prices charges by daycare centers, although few preschool cost as much as full day care for an infant. All of this depends on where you live and the quality of the preschool. The average costs range from $4,056 to$ 11,678 per year, according to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies. Traditional day care centers can be less what you would pay for a nanny but still can add up. It also depends on where you live and the quality of the daycare. Most centers bill monthly, even though some will give you a discount if you agree to pay the entire year’s fee in the first month.

Childcare or “daycare” is one of the most commonly used resources among Americans in the United States. There are many options for childcare that parents could choose from. The cost of childcare has risen dramatically over the past year, and no one really knows who to blame for it. The average cost for one child in a childcare facility ranges from $100-$350 a week. The government offers families subsidies for childcare, but that’s only if your income is low. What about the hard working middle class families that are still struggling to pay the high cost of childcare? How will they provide childcare for their kids?

Parents across the country are patiently awaiting the first year of freedom, also known as, Kindergarten. In the years leading up to a child’s elementary debut, parents often find themselves paying half their annual salary just so they can get back into the workforce. Why is it that the cost of childcare is so expensive? Most facilities only provide a child with enough shelter to be safe and enough food to curb a growing appetite yet daycare costs can match if not, exceed the monthly costs of living. American adults, who choose to raise families, make the ultimate sacrifice in leaving their small children with strangers just to earn a living so why can’t their employers cover the added expense?

When child go through transitions they need people they have built up positive relationships with to help support them through the changes in their lives. We use circle time to explain to the children what is going to happen and they can talk about their feelings children will make a better transition if they know what is going on. We take are cues from the children on how much information is given and how much an explanation is required. We allow time for the information to be processed some children might have delayed reaction and might want to talk later at a quieter time. We are always to be truthful in all our answers so we keep their trust. We listen and acknowledge how the children are feeling and we reassure the children that what they are feeling is normal and other children have been

There are some problems with the bill in its current form. The most notable issue comes from the fact that many families earn less than $25,000 per year, and do not file a federal tax return. These families are, thus, unable to receive the credit that they are eligible for, further increasing the burden they face in terms of the costs of childcare. There is also the fact that families with more than two children who currently receive child care, do not receive a proportionate amount of credit

If I was a parent, I think it would definitely be a struggle because I am currently a college student and I am working part-time as a hostess at a low-end Chinese restaurant. Meanwhile, my boyfriend is a full-time student in college and he is not working, or looking for work. In fact, he lives with his parents and has very limited work experience. So, if I were to have a child, then he would most likely have to work a low wage job because he does not have a college degree. Apartment Rents are so high that I can imagine us having to work two jobs to financially support ourselves and our child. Also, my boyfriend and I have limited extended family, so we would have to pay for childcare, which is generally expensive. I can’t help but think of the high stress that we would both feel in attempting to properly raise a child with our limited education and job prospects. Just as the article points out, raising a child is an expensive proposition that can lead to significant emotional distress for parents (3).

“The Guardian” reports that: “Seattle city council has unanimously voted to impose the highest minimum wage in the US at $15.00 an hour in a “historic victory” for the widening movement to lift low paid workers out of poverty” (McGreal, 2014). Sounds like a great accomplishment that will benefit those that are in need; however “for every action there is an opposite reaction”. By increasing minimum wage to $15.00 per hour the government of Seattle has possibly left many local families without any child support benefits. If the monthly Income of the family was below $3,933.00, let’s say $3,800.00, they would be able get benefits from local child care assistance program ("Child care payment," 2015). Now if we assume that one of the parents had increase in his salary just by one dollar it will automatically throw this family out of the salary bracket that will qualify them to receive child care benefits. So it appears that $250-$300 monthly raise in the income, can cost a family of two their child care

In addition to problems of availability, mothers experience financial troubles with their children. In a suburb in Denver young mothers are having not choice but to move away to be able to get affordable housing. In moving away to get affordable housing these mothers and children are being away from family and putting more where and tear on their cars which is going to end up costing them in the long run. “In 2000, Boulder County 25% live in single parent

Child welfare is one of the most important sociological topics today. It is a concept that is used to describe the combination of efforts and services that are designed with the primary objective of maintaining and promoting the safety as well as the wellbeing of children and ensuring that families have the necessary support they need to ensure that their children have been successfully cared for. In essence, child welfare is social work that is focused on the welfare of children (Keddell, 2014). Child welfare is a broad topic that involves, among others, child protection from abuse, support for families to effectively care for their children, investigation of child maltreatments and neglect, and support for children in

The cost of child care in the United States is skyrocketing. The Economic Policy Institute even found that, in 23 states, full-time care for a 4-year-old cost more than in-state tuition at a public college!

The main purpose of this assessment is to guarantee a healthy baby, with low risk to Angie’s health. At present Angie weigh’s 177.5 lbs. and her height is 5’5”, this puts her BMI at 30 she is classified as being obese (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2015, p. 292). She is currently experiencing some complications at this stage in her pregnancy. Additionally she desires to keep her weight in line with the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnant women which are about 11-20 lbs., during her entire nine months of pregnancy (Grosvenor & Smolin, 2015, p. 369).

Chapter 6 dives into the insufficient child care system of the United States. In addition to the challege of obtaining paid leave from work, women also bear the burden of finding affordable and safe child care. The dramatic waiting list for most child care services and the lack of financial resources leaves women no choice but to exit the workforce or to settle below the poverty line in order to recieve assistance. Access to quality child care is much more difficult for low wage workers that have to work all hours of the day and that do not receive any paid vacation or sick leave. With minimal government interference, women are left with no option but to leave their children at home to raise themselves. The Lanham Act that provided government

In today’s society the majority of households have a family dynamic where both parents need to work. It is nearly impossible for most families in America to survive financially without two incomes. This puts many parents in a situation where they have to find extra help to watch their children while they are away at work. “These days couples face complex negotiations over work, family, child care, and housekeeping. It becomes evident that where traditional marriage through the centuries has been a partnership based on mutual dependency, modern marriage demands greater self-sufficiency” (Hekker). Day care becomes a necessity for many families, and the main concern for most parents is if the day care will be a positive experience for their