In preparation for today’s webinar, “Child Care for All: Eliminating Child Care Deserts,” Jerry suggested the definition of a child care desert was misleading.
A child care desert is any census tract with more than 50 children under age 5 that contains either no child care providers or so few options that there are more than three times as many children as licensed child care slots. https://childcaredeserts.org/2018/
This definition assumes care for children under 5 is interchangeable. Jerry has experience as a child care provider, so he pointed out that providers do not have to have an equal number of seats for all ages or provide care for all ages. Hence, available child care must be disaggregated by the child’s age, namely less than three years of age and 3 to 4 years of age.
Jerry’s question is another example of why disaggregating data is essential for effective policy solutions.
If you haven’t registered for the webinar, it is not too late.
Grab some food and a beverage to nourish your body. Then sit back and let Dionne, LaKesha, and Jerry feed your mind with stimulating conversation and policy recommendations for eliminating child care deserts.
