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Family: Child Care Indicator DuPage County has fewer licensed childcare facilities per child than the state overall, but also may have less demand for childcare services. Chart 1
Chart 2
Chart 3
About the Indicator Taking care of children is a key responsibility of families, and in today’s culture, adequate childcare is crucial to meeting this responsibility. The first chart in this section compares the number of children in DuPage County relative to the number of licensed childcare facilities in the county with the corresponding state figure. The definition of facility includes private homes in which childcare is provided as well as larger day care facilities. The second and third charts provide information on the working status of parents and the proportion of children living in two-parent and single-parent households. Observations Relative to the total population of children, DuPage County has fewer licensed childcare facilities than does the state of Illinois. In 2002, there was one licensed facility for every 401 children in the county, compared with one facility for every 262 children in the state. Although this suggests that childcare may be less readily available in DuPage County, the figures do not take into considreation other forms of childcare, including care provided in the child’s home by realtives or hired babysitters or housekeepers and care provided in the home of a friend or a neighbor who cares for less than three children and therefore does not need to obtain a liscense. Demand for childcare might also be lower in DuPage County than in the state overall. There are fewer children living in single parent households, or in married couple households with both parents working, in the county than in the state. Tapestry The availability of high quality, affordable childcare is an important community concern. When economic circumstances force both parents in a household to work, or in a single parent household, the costs of childcare can cause additional economic hardship and add to family stress. If affordable childcare cannot be obtained, a single parent may be forced to stay home instead of working; lack of childcare is a reason often cited for unemployment. The quality of childcare is critical to a child’s development. Brain research indicates that most development occurs in the first years of life, so childcare prior to kindergarten should ideally have an educational component. The high costs of living in DuPage County could increase demand for childcare if both parent s in a household need to work in order to achieve their desired living standard. An increase in the number of divorces could also increase demand for childcare. How to Get Involved or Learn More:
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