Federal Reserve Bank of Boston: BUSSW Researchers Examine Inequities for Parents Working Non-Traditional Hours
Childcare subsidies are critical for many low-income families to afford childcare, yet nearly one-third of low-income parents work nontraditional hours outside of the typical 9-to-5 work week in fields such as retail, food service, hospitality, or healthcare. This reality requires families to seek affordable care in early mornings, evenings, and weekends, which are typically more difficult to find and nonexistent in certain areas.
In a new study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, researchers Kate Giapponi Schneider and Elizabeth A. Wong from the Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity & Healthy Development (IECOHD) at Boston University School of Social Work, examine the factors that predict whether a subsidized child care provider in Massachusetts will offer early morning care (4:00-7:00 a.m.), which is the time period most in demand among low-income families.
Data Says Early Morning Care is Rare
Utilizing a combination of survey data, administrative data, and state census data, the authors find that providers in communities with more early morning commuters, larger child-care centers, and family child-care providers with more years of experience, are more likely to offer early morning hours.
Overall, only 18% of subsidized centers and 34% of family childcare providers are open outside of standard hours, primarily for early mornings. Subsidized care in the evening, overnight, and weekends is extremely rare in Massachusetts, available at only 2% of providers.
Researchers Recommend Incentivizing Childcare Providers
The lack of subsidized childcare during non-traditional work hours presents critical challenges to low-income parents, creating a disruption in the balance of work and family responsibilities. Scheider and Wong recommend policies that further incentivize providers to offer expanded childcare in high-need areas to build the supply of care for low-income families. They also recommend policies that help new providers open businesses, and that help existing businesses continue to grow and expand care capabilities. Further investment in childcare subsidies for low-income families will enable more people to enter and stay in the workforce, while giving children critical social and academic support.
The full study is available at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston website.
Learn more about the Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity and Healthy Development