COVID-19 Parent Survey: How the Pandemic Has Impacted California Parents’ Child Care Plans and Preferences

COVID-19 Parent Survey: How the pandemic has impacted California parents’ child care plans and preferences

SEPTEMBER 2020 Table of Contents

3 Executive Summary

5 Introduction

5 Methodology

6 Participants

8 Results

8 Aggregate Results

14 Childcare Plans and Preferences

18 Arrangements, Plans, and Preferences by Age Group

19 Job Loss and Preference by Language

21 Results by Income

26 Use and Preference by Region

29 Important Factors by Preference and Income

30 Qualitative Results from Open-Ended Questions

33 Conclusions and Recommendations

33 Maintain a Robust Mixed Delivery System

35 Support for Parents

36 Widening Inequality

2 Executive Summary

The 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has invariably much more likely to work outside the home, and disrupted the lives of many families in California. showed a greater preference for FFN compared This survey sought to understand how this to the higher income group; the North had a disruption has impacted parents’ child care slightly higher preference for FCCs, the Bay Area arrangements, plans, and preferences. and Central Valley showed greater FFN use and preference, particularly the Central Valley, and An online survey in English and Spanish was the Bay Area showed more people watching distributed to more than 12,000 parents, their children while they worked at home. representing 55 of California’s 58 counties. Responses showed that most families were In the open-ended responses, those who currently using a child care center, family, friend, preferred child care centers described feeling or neighbor (FFN), or family child care home more comfortable because they follow (FCC), in that order. regulations and guidelines, they’re more clean and sanitized and seem more professional, they For the most part, families planned to use have more space, they control and limit who the type of care they were currently in, and enters the premises, they have a curriculum, they preferred that type of care as well. For those can help with homework, they have cameras, who currently did not have care, they preferred: and parents don’t trust other people’s homes, FFN, center, community afterschool program, including not knowing who comes in and out. then FCC. The top three factors that were most important to people in choosing child care now For those who preferred FCCs, they described were cleanliness/sanitation, group size, and cost feeling more comfortable because they (this was the same despite disaggregation by have smaller group sizes, they trust their income or preferred setting). When asked if they cleanliness and sanitation practices, there’s were most comfortable with a center, FCC, or better communication with the providers and neither, responses were grouped into about a other parents, they already know and trust the third for each. provider, and they’re allowed to enter the facility.

There were differences in work arrangements For those who preferred an FFN caregiver, and child care preferences found when they described being uncomfortable sending comparing families with children 0-5 versus their child to any group setting right now, but school-aged children, Spanish versus English they need child care help and having a family survey completion, higher to lower income member or friend provide care seems like the groups, and geographic region. Respondents safest option, since they know and trust the with at least one school-aged child showed adults and they’re the only child or there’s a a higher preference for FFN care; those who very small group of children that they know. completed the survey in Spanish were almost Some parents expressed concern about the three times as likely to have lost their job or vulnerability of this FFN provider in getting been furloughed, preferred FCC and FFN care COVID-19, or their ability to help their child over centers, and were more likely to not feel with distance learning, due to limited English or comfortable with either licensed setting; those technology capacity. with household incomes less than $100,000 were

3 Recommendations based on these results are • Advocate for the state’s subsidized child as follows: care system to examine and consider if their standard eligibility rules need to be adjusted 1. Maintain a robust mixed delivery system. This in the current and immediate post-pandemic includes the following supports for centers: period as our economy rebuilds.

• Public or private in-kind and financial assistance. • Deploy any staff who are in contact with families to check in with parents and see how • Partnership from schools in providing school- they’re coping, and offer any resources or aged care. support available.

• Temporarily adjusting classroom capacity • Ensure support for non-English-speaking based on space configuration or mixed age parents or family members who are supporting groups with a maximum number of families, their child’s online participation in school. instead of the more familiar adult-to-child ratio. 3. Mitigate the widening inequality caused by This also includes the following supports the pandemic: for family child care homes and informal caregivers: • Target child care funds to low-income communities to shore up the child care supply • Create a program that provides coaching to and make it a safe opportunity for families. FCCs, and a list of procedures and precautions to be taken during this time that would allow • Consider supplemental funds since market the providers to receive an unofficial badge or rate subsidy reimbursements penalize those certification that would convey to parents that in low-income counties/communities because they’re doing everything they can to mitigate their maximum reimbursement is dependent the risk of infection. on the market price.

• Advocate for the state to apply for a federal • Prioritize low-income families in accessing Waiver for Extraordinary Circumstances, to gain child care subsidies that support them in their relief from specific CCDF requirements for health parenting responsibilities. and safety training for home-based providers. • Support parents to create a learning pod • Make an allowance for subsidy payments for for their children using voucher subsidies. license-exempt caregiving to be allowed in Continue to allow parents to hire a TrustLine the parents’ home (and not be bound by the caregiver while following the Emergency minimum wage rule) to help keep people Capacity Waiver under Department of Social together in one pod. Services and explore available public funding targeted to Local Education Agencies, such • Support that enables a home-based provider as Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to assist children with distance learning such supplemental or federal Title I, to partner as high speed connectivity, a special technical with FCCs to support and enhance learning of help line to troubleshoot computer issues school-aged children. for school-aged children, and virtual and/or recorded play groups. • Support a range of resources and opportunities to support children and families, in addition to 2. Create support for parents: child care funds directed to communities most impacted by Covid-19 as soon as possible. • Advocate for federal and state funds to support subsidized child care for families. • Develop local and state incentives for For questions, please contact employers to offer or subsidize child care for Gemma DiMatteo, MPH, their employees. Research Director • Encourage workplace flexibility to enable [email protected] parents to successfully juggle between their caregiving duties and work responsibilities.

4 Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically and unexpectedly shifted the lives of people all over the world. The topic of child care and its important role in allowing parents to work, although not a novel issue, has come to the forefront of many national and state conversations. With many child care facilities forced to close or restrict their capacities, parents feeling afraid and uncomfortable sending their children to group settings, and closure of in-person public schools, many families are left reeling.

This study seeks to understand how the pandemic has impacted California families’ child care arrangements, choices, and preferences. In understanding the demand, we can better understand how we can support the supply side of the equation so that we’re meeting the unique needs of parents during this time, and advocate for policies and systems that support all families in California.

This pandemic has provided an opportunity to reevaluate and rebuild California’s child care system, and the only way that can be done with families as the focus is to hear what they need and want.

Methodology A survey was distributed online, through California’s local child care resource and referral agencies, as well as other online platforms, such as social media and local parent network newsletters. The survey was open between June 22nd and July 31st and was available in English and Spanish.

5 Participants

12,734 participants started the survey; 412 were disqualified for not having children 0-12, and 12 were disqualified for not being in California. 9,295 Language participants completed the entire survey. Spanish 5% 12,138 participants took the survey in English, and 596 took the survey in Spanish.

English 95%

What is your annual householdn=12,734 income .

What is your annual household income?

25%

20%

15%

10%

0% Under $15,000 Between Between Between Between Between Over $150,000 $15,000 and $30,000 and $50,000 and $75,000 and $100,000 and $29,999 $49,999 $74,999 $99,999 $150,000

n=9,295 The majority of respondents (57%) had household incomes less than $50,000, with 69% less than $75,000.

6 What county do you live in

What county do you live in?

Alameda Alpine Amador Butte Calaveras Colusa Contra Costa Del Norte El Dorado Fresno Glenn Humboldt Imperial Inyo Kern Kings Lake Lassen Los Angeles Madera Marin Mariposa Mendocino Merced Modoc Mono Monterey Napa Nevada Orange Placer Riverside Sacramento San Benito San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco San Joaquin San Luis Obispo San Mateo Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Cruz Shasta Siskiyou Solano Sonoma Stanislaus Sutter Tehama Tulare Tuolumne Ventura Yolo Yuba 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18%

n=9,377 At least one person on each county completed the survey except for Plumas, Sierra, and Trinity.

7 Results

Aggregateo Resultsold are your children o old are your children select all that apply Howselect old are all your that children?apply (select all that apply) 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20%

10% 10%

0% Under 02% 2-5 6-12 Under 2 2-5 6-12

n=12,210

61% of respondents have a school-aged child,

60% have a child 2-5, and 20% have a child under 2. What is Whatyour currentis your current or situation or situation What is yourselect current allselect that work allapply that situation? apply (select all that apply)

60% 60%

50% 50%

40% 40%

30% 30%

20% 20%

10% 10%

0% 0% I work outside I wI owrko roku ftrsoidme home I woIr'vke fr boeme nh olamide o orI've beI'veen blaeide no la oidr o orI've beeIn'm la nido ot cu orrr ently I'm not currently the home the home furloughed and amfurlfouurglohuegdh aendd a anmd amfu nrolotugwheodr kaindg amnd n wotas nwootrking and was not looking for work lookinloog fkoirn wg oforkr work lookiwngo rfokirn wgo brekfore thweorking before the pandemic pandemic

n=11,516

The majority of respondents work outside the home (53%), with 32% working from home.

8 Please select your or schedule PleasePlease selectselectselect your all workorthat applyscheduleschedule select(select all all that apply) apply

Full-time Full-time Part-time Part-time Fluctuating Fluctuating Nontraditional hours (early morning, Nontraditieovneanl hinogu,r os v(earnrliyg mhto, rwnienegk,ends) evening, overnight, weekends) Not applicable — Not applicable — I'm not currently working I'm not currently working 0% 010%% 1020%% 2030%% 3040% 5040% 6050%% 7060%% 70%

n=11,516 The majority of respondents work full-time (64%). WhatsWhats your your current current child child care care arrangement arrangement What's your selectcurrentselect all child allthat thatcare apply arrangement?apply (select all that apply)

Licensed family child care home Licensed family child care home Child care center Child care center Family, friend, or neighbor Family, friend, or neighbor Co-op child care Co-op child care Babysitter/nanny Babysitter/nanny Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pAoup -puapir c (hliivlde -cianr enanny) for essential workers Employer-sponsored pop-up child care I don't have child care - I or my sfpoor uese/ssepnatritanl ewr orkers is watching my kids while I'm working I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner I don i'ts nweaetdc hcihnilgd mcayr e/kiId'ms wnohtil ew oI'mrk iwngorking

I don't need child care/I'm not wor0k%ing 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

n=11,5160% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

30% of respondents were currently using a child care center, 26% were using a family, friend or neighbor, and 21% were using a family child care home as their child care arrangement. 22% didn’t have any child care and were watching their children at home while they work.

9 What child care are you planning to use this WhatAugust, child or carefall areselect you allplanning that apply to use this WhatAugust, child or care fall are select you planning all that toapply use this August or fall? (select all that apply) Licensed family child care home

LLiceicensensedd c hfailmd iclya rceh ciledn ctaerre home

Family, fLriceennds, eodr nechilgdh cbaorre center

FamChilyil,d f rciaerned c, o-ro nep ighbor

BabysitteCrh/nildan cnayre co-op

Au pair (live-Bina bnyasnitntye)r/nanny

Community after-scAhuo poal pirr (oligvrea-min nanny)

Community aftIe'mr- sncohto soulr perogram

Not applicableI' m— n ot sure I won't need child care Not applicable — I won't need chi0ld% care 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

n=11,328 34% of respondents plan on using a child care center, 22% plan on using a family, friend, or neighbor, and 21% plan on using a family child care home. 28% were not sure what their plan was. Is this different than hat you ere planningIs this to different use before than the hat pandemic you ere Is this differentplanning than to use what before you thewere pandemic planning to use before the pandemic?

Yes 43% Yes No 43% 57% No 57%

n=11,328

10 For those who said their child care plan had changed, when asked in an open-ended question to describe how it had changed, the top three responses were: parent was relying on school or before/afterschool care as child care (44%), their child care program had closed or reduced their hours or enrollment (18%), and parent was not comfortable sending their child to any group care, so now prefers to keep them at home or with family (16%).

o is your child care plan for this August or fall differentHow than is your hat child you care had plan planned for this before August the orpandemic fall different than what you had planned

before the pandemic?

Was relying on school or before/after-school program as child care Child care program closed or restricted hours or enrollment Now prefers to keep child(ren) home or with family

Lost job so don't need child care

Currently working from home Left job, cut hours, or delayed looking for job to watch children FFN provider is socially distancing or is high risk (or lives with someone high risk) Work schedule has changed

Nanny/babysitter not available due to pandemic Delaying kindergarten with another year of private preschool, or transfer to a private kindergarten Changed child care to smaller group setting

Started working to cover lost income

Parents staggering shifts at work to cover care

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

n=3,356

If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable ith

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny) Community after-school program 11

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% o is your child care plan for this August or fall different than hat you had planned before the pandemic

Was relying on school or before/after-school program as child care Child care program closed or restricted hours or enrollment Now prefers to keep child(ren) home or with family

Lost job so don't need child care

Nanny/babysitter not available due to pandemic Delaying kindergarten with another year of private preschool, or transfer to a private kindergarten Changed child care to smaller group setting

Started working to cover lost income

Parents staggering shifts at work to cover care

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable ith If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, which would you be most comfortable with?

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

What factors are0 %most5% 10 important% 15% 20% 25% to30% you35% 40in%

choosing a child caren=9,446 setting right no 34% of respondentsclic wereand most drag comfortable each with a childresponse care center, 24% to with the a family, right friend, or neighbor, and 21% with a family child care home. order, or select the ran numbers to the left of the responses What factors are most important to you in choosing a child care setting right now?

Cost

Cleanliness/sanitation

Smaller group size (less risk of infection)

Program's schedule/ exibility

Already know child care provider and don't want to change

Close to work/home

Quality indicators (quality rating, curriculum, teacher education, environment, etc) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

n=9,446 When asked to rank the above factors, the top factor was factor was cleanliness/sanitation, followed by smaller group size and cost.

12 Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending

Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending

Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now? 33% 32%

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated 33% 32% out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I woLuiceldnn'set feed fla cmoimlyf cohrtialdb clea rwei thho emiteh (ecrhild care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either 35% When forced to choose between a family child care home and center, 35% chose center, 33% chose family child care home, and 32% were not 35% comfortable with either. n=9,446

13 Child Care Plans and Preferences For the most part, people plan to use and prefer to use the setting they're already in (ex. people in a center plan to use aC centerurrent and Center preference users is for center). For those who don't currently have child care and are working, or those without child care who don't need it, the majority are not sure of their plans. Their preferences are as follows: family, friend, or neighbor (FFN), child care center, community after school program, then family child care home (FCC). CURRENT CENTER USERS What child care are you planning to use this August, or fall select all that apply What child care are you planning to use this August or fall? (select all that apply)

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Community after-school program

I'm not sure

Not applicable - I won't need child care 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% If you could choosen=3,429 any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable ith If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, which would you be most comfortable with?

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

n=2,975

Current FCC users

CURRENTCurrent FCC uFCCsers WhatUSERS child care are you planning to use this What August,child care or fall are youselect planning all that toapply use this WhatAugust, child care or fall are youselect planning all that to apply use

Licensethisd family cAugusthild care home or fall? (select all that apply)

Licensed faLmiceilyn scehdil dch cialdr ec ahroe mceenter

LicenFsaemdi lcyh, firlide ncda,r eo rc neenitgehrbor

Family, friend, Cohr ineld cigahreb coor-op

ChilBda bcayrseit tceor/-noapnny

ABuab pyasirit (tleivre/-nina nnnaynny)

CommAuuni tpya airf t(elirv-sec-hino onla pnrnoyg)ram

Community after-school pI'rmog nroatm sure

NI'omt anppot lsicuarbele - I won't need child care Not applicable - 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% I won't need child care

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

n=2,412 If you could choose any type of child care for If Augustyou could or this choose fall, anyhich type ould of child you be care most for If you couldAugust choose or this any comfortablefall, type hich of child ouldith care you for beAugust most or this fall, which wouldcomfortable you be most ith comfortable with?

Licensed family child care home

Licensed famLiceilyn cshedild c hcialdre c haroem ceenter

LicenFsaemdi lcyh, iflrdie cnadr,e o cr enentigehrbor

Family, friend, oCrh neild icgahreb ocor -op

ChilBda cbayrseit cteor-/onpanny

BAaub pyasiirt t(leivr/en-iann nnaynny)

CommAuun iptya iarf t(leirv-esc-ihno noal nprnoyg)ram

Community after-school program Other (please specify) Other (please specify) 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

0% 10% 20%n=1,99830% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Current FFN users Current FFN users

15 CURRENT FFN USERS What child care are you planning to use this WhatWhat child August,child care care or are arefall youyou select planningplanning all that to to useapply use this August, or fall select all that apply this August or fall? (select all that apply) Licensed family child care home

Licensed faLmicielyn csehdild c hcialdre c haorem ceenter

LicenFasemdi lcyh, filrdie cnadr,e o cre nnetierghbor

Family, friend, oCrh niledi gcahrbeo cro-op

ChilBda cbayrsei ttcoe-ro/npanny

ABuab pyasiirtt (elivr/en-ainnn naynny)

CommAunui tpya airf t(elirv-es-cihnoo naln pnroy)gram

Community after-school pIr'omg rnaomt sure

NI'mot naoptp sliucraeble - I won't need child care Not applicable - 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% I won't need child care 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

n=2,973

If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you If you couldIf chooseyou could any choose type anyof child type ofcare child for care August or be most comfortable ith this fall, whichfor August would or youthis befall, most hich comfortable ould you with? be most comfortable ith

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center Licensed family child care home Family, friend, or neighbor Licensed child care center Child care co-op Family, friend, or neighbor Babysitter/nanny Child care co-op Au pair (live-in nanny) Babysitter/nanny Community after-school program Au pair (live-in nanny) Other (please specify) Community after-school program 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Other (please specify) n=2,496 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

16 CURRENTLY DON’T HAVE OR NEED CHILD CARE

WhatWhat child child care care are are you you planning planning to to use use thisWhat August,this child August or care fall or are fall? select you (select planning all all that that toapplyapply) use this August, or fall select all that apply

Licensed family child care home Licensed family child care home Licensed child care center Licensed child care center Family, friend, or neighbor Family, friend, or neighbor Child care co-op Child care co-op Babysitter/nanny Babysitter/nanny Au pair (live-in nanny) Au pair (live-in nanny)

ComCmomunmituyn aitfyte arf-tsecrh-socohlo porlo pgrroagmram

I'm In'mo tn soutr seure

NotN aoppt alppicalbicleab -le - I woI nw'to nee't ndee chdi lcdh cildar ceare 0%0% 10%10% 2020%% 3030%% 4040%% 5050%% 6060%%

n=3,726 IfIf you you could could choose choose any any type type of of child child carecare for August or this fall, hich ould you If youfor could August choose or thisany typefall, hichof child ould care for you August or be most comfortable ith this fall, whichbe most would comfortable you be most ith comfortable with?

Other (please specify) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

0% 5% n=3,04310% 15% 20% 25% 30%

17 Arrangements, Plans, and Preferences by Age Group

For those with at least oneA childt lea stunder one chtwo,ild or 6- two12 to five, the current arrangements, plans, and preferences followed a similar pattern to the aggregate results (center, FFN, FCC). For those with at least one school-aged child, there was much more FFN use, and FFNWhats ranked higher your in plans currentand preferences: child care At least one child 6-12 AT LEAST ONE CHILD 6-12arrangement select all that apply Whats your current child care

What's yourarrangementL iccurrentensed family child cchildar e selecthome care all arrangement? that apply (select all that apply) Child care center Licensed family child care home Family, friend, or neighbor Child care center Co-op child care Family, friend, or neighbor Babysitter/nanny Co-op child care Au pair (live-in nanny) EmployeBr-asbpyosnisttoerre/dn apnonpy-up child care for essential workers I don't have cAhiuld p caair e(l i-v Ie o-irn m nya nspnoyu) se/partner is watching my kids while I'm working Employer-sponsored pop-up child care I donf'to nr eessde cnhtiialdl workerscare/I'm not working I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% n=7,021 What child care are you planning to use this

WhatAugust, child care or fall are selectyou planning all that to apply use What childthis Augustcare are or you fall? planning (select all to that use apply) this August, or fall select all that apply Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Licensed family chiFlda mcairlye, hfroiemned, or neighbor

Licensed child care cenCtehrild care co-op

Family, friend, or neighBbaobrysitter/nanny

Child caAreu cpoa-ior p(live-in nanny)

ComBambyusniitttye ra/fntearn-nscyhool program

Au pair (live-in nanny) I'm not sure Not applicable - Community after-school program I won't need child care 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% I'm not sure n=6,912 Not applicable - I won 't need child care 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 18

If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be If you could choose anymost type comfortable of child care ith

If you couldfor choose AugustLicense dany foramily cthish itypeld care hofall,m eof childhich care ould for you August be or

this fall, which wouldmostLicensed chyoui ldcomfortable care c enbeter most comfortableith with?

Family, friend, or neighbor Licensed family child care home Child care co-op Licensed child care center Babysitter/nanny Family, friend, or neighbor Au pair (live-in nanny) Child care co-op Community after-school program Babysitter/nanny Other (please specify) Au pair (live-in nanny) 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

n=5,709

Job Loss and Preference Lost ob or furloughed Lost job or furloughed by Language

There was a large discrepancy found between those 50% who have lost their jobs or been furloughedLost when ob or furloughed comparing those who filled out the survey in English 40% versus Spanish. This is not necessarily indicative of 30% race or ethnicity, and represents only the language in 50% which the participant chose to complete the survey. 20% 40% 43% of respondents who completed the survey in 10% Spanish, and 15% who completed it in3 English0% had 0% lost their job or been furloughed. English Spanish 20% n=12,138 n=596 10%

0% English Spanish

19 If you could choose any type of child care Respondents who completed the survey in Spanish showed a different pattern of child care use and preference, preferringfor August family child or thiscare homes fall, first, hich followed ould by FFN andyou then center: be mostIf you comfortable could choose ith any type of child care If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you If youfor August could or thischoose fall, hich any ould type you of child care for August or be most comfortablebe most comfortableith ith Licensedthis family chi ldfall, care hom ewhich would you be most comfortable with?

Licensed child care center Licensed family child cLaicree nhosemde family child care home Family, friend, or neighbor Licensed child care cenLtiercensed child care center Child care co-op Family, friend, or neighFbaomr ily, friend, or neighbor Babysitter/nanny Child care co-op Child care co-op Au pair (liveB-ianb nysaittnnery/)nanny Babysitter/nanny Community after-scAhuo poali rp (rlioveg-rianm nanny) Au pair (live-in nanny) CommOthuenri t(yp aleftaesr-es cshpoeocli pfyro) gram Community after-school program Other (please spe0c%ify) 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 0O%ther (p5le%ase spe1c0i%fy) 15% 20% 25% 30% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

n=361

When asked if they would be most comfortable with a family child care home, center, or neither, almost half (42%) said they would not feel comfortable with either:

Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

37% 42% 37% 42% Licensed37 fam%ily child care home (child care business operated 42% out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) LLiceicnensesed cde nfatemr i(lcyh cildh icldar ec abrues ihnoesms eo p(cehraitledd c oauret obf uas fiancessility ,o perated uosuuatll oy fw ainth i lnadrgiverid cuapaal'csi thieosm) e, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) I Lwioceulndsne'td fee cel ncotemr f(ocrhtailbdle c waLriteihc bense euitshiendre fsasm oiplye crahtieldd c oauret hoof am fea c(cilhitiyld, care business operated usually with larger capacoituiet so)f an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) I wouldn't feel comfortabLliece wnistehd e citehnetrer (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

20%

n=361 20% 20%

20 Results by Income

When results were disaggregated by income (Under $50,000, $50,000-$100,000, over $100,000) similar patterns were found between the under $50,000 group and the $50,000-$100,000 group. In comparing the under $100,000 group to the over $100,000 group, the under $100,000 group showed: majority working outside the home, more FFNUnd use,er $100,00 majority0 stated that their child care plans had not changed due to the pandemic, and when forced to choose between center and FCC, there was a preference for FCC. In the over $100,000 group,

the majority are working from home, more are watching their children at home, there’s a strong preference for centers, and moreWhat stated that is their your child carecurrent plans had changedor because situation of the pandemic, select and when forced to choose between center and FCC there was aall preference that for apply center.

Under $100,000 60% What is your current work situation?

What is your(select current all orthat apply) situation select UNDER50 $100,000% 40% all that apply

6030%%

5020%%

4010%%

0% 30% I work outside I work from home I've been laid o or I've been laid o or I'm not currently the home furloughed and am furloughed and am not working and was not 20% looking for work looking for work working before the pandemic

10%

O ver $100,000 0% I work outside I work from home I've been laid o or I've been laid o or I'm not currently the home furloughed and am furloughed and am not working and was not looking for work looking for work working before the pandemic n=7,062

O verWhat $100,000 is your current or situation select OVER $100,000 all that apply

70%

60%What is your current or situation select

50% all that apply

40% 70% 30% 60% 20% 50% 10% 40% 0% I work outside I work from home I've been laid o or I've been laid o or I'm not currently 30% the home furloughed and am furloughed and am not working and was not looking for work looking for work working before the 20% pandemic n=2,233 10%

0% I work outside I work from home I've been laid o or I've been laid o or I'm not currently 21 the home furloughed and am furloughed and am not working and was not looking for work looking for work working before the pandemic Under $100,000

Under $100,000

What’s your current child care arrangement? Whats your (selectcurrent all child that apply) care arrangement select all that apply UNDER $100,000Whats your current child care arrangement Licensed family cselecthild care home all that apply

Child care center Licensed family child care home Family, friend, or neighbor Child care center Co-op child care Family, friend, or neighbor Babysitter/nanny Co-op child care Au pair (live-in nanny) Babysitter/nanny Employer-sponsored pop-up child care Au pfoari re (slsiveen-tiina ln wanonrkye)rs I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is Employer-sponsored pop-up child care watching my kids while I'm working for essential workers I don't have cI hdioldn 'ct anree -d I cohr imldy c sapre/ouI'mse/ npoatr twnoerrk iisng watching my kids while I'm working n=7,062 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% I don't need child care/I'm not working

Over $100,000 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% n=7,062

Over $100,000 OVER $100,000Whats your current child care arrangement select all that apply Whats your current child care arrangement Licensed family chselectild care home all that apply

Child care center Licensed family child care home

Family, friend, or neighbor Child care center

Co-op child care Family, friend, or neighbor

Babysitter/nanny Co-op child care

Au pair (live-in nanny) Babysitter/nanny n=2,233 Employer-sponsored pop-up child care Au pfoari re (slsiveen-tiina ln wanornkye)rs I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is Emplowyeatrc-shpinogn smoyre kdid pso wph-uilpe Ic'mhi lwd ocarkrieng for essential workers I don't need child care/I'm not working I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% I don' t need child care/I'm not working n=2,233 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

22 Under $100,000

Under $100,000

WhatWhat child child care careare you are planningyou planning to use to use

thisthis August August, or fall?or fall (select select all that all apply)that apply UNDER $100,000LicenseWhatd family child childcare home care are you planning to use

thisLicensed cAugust,hild care center or fall select all that apply

Licensed fFaammililyy c, hfriiledn cda, roer h neomigehbor

Licensed childC chailrde ccaernet ecor -op

Family, friendB, aobr ynesitigtehrb/noarnny

AuC hpialdir c(laivre -cino -noapnny)

Community Bafatbeyr-ssicttheor/onl apnrongyram

Au pair (live-inI 'nma nnoyt )sure Not applicable - Community aftIe wr-oscnh'to noeel pdro cghrialdm care 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% I'm not sure

Not applicable - I won't need child care 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Over $100,000

n=7,062

OVEROver $100,000$100,000 What child care are you planning to use this August, or fall select all that apply

LicenseWhatd family child childcare home care are you planning to use

thisLicensed cAugust,hild care center or fall select all that apply

Licensed fFaammililyy c, hfriiledn cda, roer h neomigehbor

Licensed childC chailrde ccaernet ecor -op

Family, friendB, aobr ynesitigtehrb/noarnny

AuC hpialdir c(laivre -cino -noapnny)

Community Bafatbeyr-scithtoeor/ln parnongyram

Au pair (live-inI 'nma nnoyt )sure Not applicable - Community aftIe wr-ocnh'ot onlee prdo gchrailmd care 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% I'm not sure n=2,233 Not applicable - n=2,233 I won't need child care 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% n=2,233

23 Under $100,000

Is this different than hat you ere planning to use before the pandemic

Yes 39% Under $100,000 No Which child61% care setting ould you feel more comfortable sending your child to right no

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated Over $10out0 o,00f an0 individua l's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) Under $100,000 I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

Is this different than what you were planning to use before the pandemic?32% Is this different than hat youIs ere this different than hat you ere planningUNDER to $100,000 use before the pandemicplanningOVER to $100,000 use before the pandemic37%

Yes 39% No 31% 49% Yes 51% No

61%

Over $10 0,000

Under $100,000 n=7,062 n=2,233 Over $100,00Which0 child care setting ouldWhich you childfeel care setting ould you feel more comfortable sending yourmore child comfortable to sending your child to Whichright child no care setting would youright feel no more Licensed family child care home (childcomfortable care business operated sendingLicensed family c hyourild care ho mchilde (child car e tobusin essright operated now? out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center Is(chil d thiscare bus indifferentess operated out of a thanfacility, hatLicensed cyouenter (c hereild care bus iness operated out of a facility, usually with larplanningger capacUNDERities) to $100,000 use before theusually pandemicwith larger capacOVERities) $100,000 I wouldn't feel comfortable with either I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

18% 32%

37% 33% No 49% Yes 51%

Under $100,000 Under $100,000 Which child care setting ould Whichyou feel child care 49setting% ould you feel 31% more comfortable sending yourmore child comfortableto sending your child to n=7,062 right no n=2,233 right no

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated Licensed family child care home (child care business operated Over $100,000 out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) usually with larger capacities)

I wouldn't feel comfortable with either I wouldn't feel comfortable with either Which child care setting ould you feel more comfortable sending32% your child to 32% 37% 37% 24 right no Licensed family child care home (child care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either 31% 31% 18%

Over $10 0,00033% Over $10 0,000

Which child care setting ould Whichyou feel child care setting ould you feel

more comfortable49 sending% yourmore child comfortableto sending your child to right no right no

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated Licensed family child care home (child care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

18% 18%

33% 33%

49% 49% Under $100,000 If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable ith

If you couldLicensed fam ichoosely child care hom eany type of child care for August or Under $100,000 this fall, Lwhichicensed child ca rwoulde center you be most comfortable with? If you could choose any type of child Family, friend, or neighbor UNDER $100,000care for August or this fall, hich ould Child care co-op you be most comfortable ith Babysitter/nanny

Licensed Afaum pilayi rc h(lilvde c-ianr en hanonmye)

CommunLiitcey nafsteedr -cshcihldo ocal rper ocegnratemr

FamOilyth, ferire (npdle, oasr ene spigehcbifoyr)

Child care co-op0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Over $100, 00Co0mmunity after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

If you could choosen=7,062 any type of child care

for August or this fall, hich ould you be OVEROve r$100,000 $100, 000 most comfortable ith

Licensed family child care home

LicensedIf ch ilyoud care ce ncouldter choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be Family, friend, or neighbor most comfortable ith Child care co-op

Licensed familBya cbhyilsdit cteare/n haonmnye

LiceAnuse pda icrh (liilvde c-ainre n caennnteyr)

Family, friend, or neighbor Community after-school program

Child care co-op Other (please specify)

Babysitter/nanny0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Au pair (live-in nanny) n=2,233

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

25 Use and Preference by Region

When child care preferences were compared across four regions in California,1 the following differences were found when compared to the statewide patterns:

Which child careNORTH setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

Licensed family child careWhen home (forcedchild ca rtoe b chooseusiness o betweenperated FCC or center, there was a slight preference for FCC: out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) Which child care setting would you feel more I wouldn't feel comfortable with either comfortable sending your child to right now?

27%

38% Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either 35%

n=438 27% Bay Area

38% Whats your current child care arrangement select all that apply

Licensed family child care home 35%

Child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor Bay Area Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny Whats your current child care

Au pair (live-in nanny) arrangement select all that apply

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers 1 Four regions are defined as follows: I don't have child care - I or my spouse/paNorth:rtne rAlpine, is Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, watching my kids while I'm wSiskiyou,orking Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba Bay Area: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Joaquin, SanLice Mateo,nsed Santafami lClara,y ch iSantald ca Cruz,re ho Solano,me Sonoma, Yolo I don't need child care/I'm not wCentralorkin Valley:g Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne South: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura Child care center 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 26 Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

27%

38%

35%

BAY AREA Bay Area The Bay Area showed higher use of FFN care (tied with center as first), a high number of parents watching their children at home while they work,Whats and many wouldyour not feelcurrent comfortable child with either care a center or an FCC: arrangement select all that apply What's your current child care arrangement? (select all that apply)

Licensed family child care home

Child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers The majority would not feel comIf doortna'tb hlaev ese cnhidldi ncagr et he- I oirr mchyil sdpo tuos e/eitpahertnre ar iFsCC or a center: watching my kids while I'm working

Which child careI d osettingn't need child ca re/ouldI'm not worki nyoug feel more comfortable sending your child0% 5 %to 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% n=3,845 right no

Licensed family child care home (child care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business opeWhichrated out of a fachildcility, care setting would you feel more usually with larger capacities) comfortable sending your child to right now? I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

36% 33% Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

n=3,844 27% Central Valley

Whats your current child care 38% arrangement select all that apply 27

Licensed family child care home

Child care center 35% Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care Bay Area Babysitter/nanny Au pair (live-in nanny) Whats your current child care Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers arrangement select all that apply I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35L%icense40d% family child care home

Child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

The majority would not feel comfortable sending their child to either a FCC or a center:

Which child care setting ould you feel more comfortable sending your child to right no

36% 33%

CENTRAL VALLEY 31%

The Central Valley showed very high FFN use, a preference for FFN care, and many would not feel

comfortable with either a center or an FCC: Central Valley Whats your current child care What's your current child care arrangement? arrangement(select all that select apply) all that apply

Licensed family child care home

Child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% If you could choose any type of child n=747 care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable If you could choose any type of child care for August or ith this fall, which would you be most comfortable with

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

n=747

Which child care setting ould you feel 28 more comfortable sending your child to

right no Licensed family child care home (child care business operated out of an individual's home, with a capacity of 8 or 14 children) Licensed center (child care business operated out of a facility, usually with larger capacities) I wouldn't feel comfortable with either

37% 32%

31%

If you could choose any type of child care for August or this fall, hich ould you be most comfortable ith

Licensed family child care home

Licensed child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Child care co-op

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Community after-school program

Other (please specify)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Which child care setting ould you feel more comfortable sending your child to

32% 37% Which child care setting would you feel more comfortable sending your child to right now?

31%

n=747 27%

38% SOUTH

Due to the large response rate from the south, the patterns are consistent with the statewide patterns.

Important Factors by Preference and Income 35% Regardless of preferred setting or income, all groups ranked the same top three factors as most important in

choosing a child care setting now: cleanliness/sanitation, group size, and cost. Cleanliness/sanitation was the

number one factors across all groups. Bay Area

Whats your current child care arrangement select all that apply

Licensed family child care home

Child care center

Family, friend, or neighbor

Co-op child care

Babysitter/nanny

Au pair (live-in nanny)

Employer-sponsored pop-up child care for essential workers I don't have child care - I or my spouse/partner is watching my kids while I'm working 29

I don't need child care/I'm not working

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

Qualitative Results from Open-Ended Questions

PARENT INSIGHTS

In the open-ended responses, parents be able to go to kindergarten. As the sole provider consistently expressed frustration at school and only parent for my children, for the first time I am truly scared without having some form of childcare closures and the financial and logistical burden assistance.” of child care being placed solely on them, especially during a time when many are making “My children used to go to a child care center for fulltime and afterschool care for this school year we less money, fear of their child and their family decided go on with the virtual learning due to covid contracting the virus, and anxiety around how 19 and health issues for my children. As a full time they were going to piece everything together working parents and a essential worker and earning so that they can work. Some parents expressed minimum wage I have to cut my hours of work in order to cater my children’s education. I hope the uncertainty about being able to keep their child government will come up for some help regarding care subsidy, while others have had to quit this matter. Any help could give is much appreciated.” their jobs entirely due to a lack of affordable or “We were using the boys and girls club for after school available child care. care. Wife and I both work in hospitals and not able to be with the kids at home. We have no family in town “On grounds at school care was an integral part and have NO IDEA what we are going to do in August.” of our child care before and after school each day. My husband and I work full time. My 5 year is still “I need childcare and can’t find it. I work full time. I at preschool but only until the school year begins literally came one minute from giving my children and she will no longer be eligible to attend. Now away to the police in the spring it was so stressful I did my 8 & 5 year olds will be at home for school and no not know what to do.” adult at home to be there with him. I do not know what we are going to do and it is incredibly anxiety “While I am not an essential worker, my job is not the ridden not just for us but for our children as well. We kind of job you can do working from home, and it cannot give them an answer to ease their minds. It is requires me to be at the office. I am a single mother heartbreaking.” with full-custody, and no family in the area. I already spent my savings from shelter-in-place. I am nervous “I might have to quit my job because I wont have that I will have to resign or lose my job because of my day care for kids since schools are not opening up in daughter’s homeschool situation. If that happens, I my area. No afterschool programs. Neighbors have will be evicted. I need help so that I can actually pay kids who will also be doing remote learning and it’s the bills. I also want my child to be safe and am unsure hard to add 2 additional children for then to help and if [school district] is capable of keeping our children watch. This is extremely difficult situation and my (and teachers) safe and healthy.” anxiety is off the charts.” “My child’s school and child center is closed down. But “I need 50% more childcare than I did before and at the moment I am working from home and she is have to pay 50% more, but am making less money home with me. But I don’t want to lose my subsidy.” than before.”

“Business has almost come to a halt. I’ve managed to cover childcare up till July 30 so I could strategize new ways to create income. I was looking forward to my children going to TK to help with having time to work and children are also more than ready to begin school. I have enough funds to survive until January but will have to juggle children and homeschooling and somehow work. I currently have no idea how to keep my head above water with no childcare coverage for the next year when hopefully they will

30 LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTER LICENSED FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME When asked to describe why they chose their preferred child care setting, several themes For those who chose family child care home emerged. Many parents mentioned trusting in the forced choice, parents mentioned people they already know to follow cleaning, feeling more comfortable because they have safety, and social distancing protocols, whether smaller group size, they trust their cleanliness it’s a child care provider or family, friend, or and sanitation practices, there’s better neighbor. When forced to choose between a communications with the providers and other family child care home or center and asked why parents, they already know and trust the they selected that option, those who chose provider, and they’re allowed to enter the facility. center mentioned feeling more comfortable because centers follow regulations and “The lower number of kids and employees and the guidelines, including CDC guidelines, they’re ability to sanitize better since groups are low.” more clean and sanitized and seem more “I would prefer smaller more homelike setting.” professional, they have more space, they control “Smaller group setting and greater control and and limit who enters the premises, they have a communication with teacher and other parents.” curriculum, they can help with homework, they have cameras, and parents don’t trust other “It is a smaller setting and usually the same group of children hopefully with parents and a provider with people’s homes, including who comes in and out. similar safety precautions as we are taking to ensure our children are safe.” “Safety of my children, including sanitation, training of staff, and my ability to view my children on camera.” “Sanitation, less children, have known care provider more than 20 years.” “Sanitation, higher-level policies.” “My provider is like my family too me and my children.” “I want to make sure the center is cleaned daily, temperatures checked, masks worn and children practicing social distancing and continued hand washing.”

“Control of those on site allowed in and out of facility, extensive back ground checks, drug testing, cameras.”

“Sanitation. I don’t trust people’s homes.”

“Better education and learning environment. Regulated cleaning and class number sizes.” “Because only workers who are trained to care for children and have thorough background checks are allowed in the building. There is never a situation at a care center where my child is alone with an adult. I don’t trust child care at someone’s home. I worry about unregulated access to my child if people visit the home who are friends and family of the person running the home day care.”

“Licensed facilities are monitored closer and are in the public eye which makes it more comfortable.”

“Centers seem to have more professional setting than those licensed family child care homes; they are usually a franchise and follow more universal rules, where family running care homes have their own unique regulations.”

31 FAMILY, FRIEND, OR NEIGHBOR “We would normally have after school help from family; however, due to the pandemic and members When asked to describe in more detail their of our extended family being “high risk” we have had to scramble to find care for the kids.” preferred child care setting, those who were most comfortable with an FFN provider “Before my mother would watch them for a three described being uncomfortable sending their hour block between my spouse and my schedule or the boys would come to my work and hangout. But child to any group setting right now, but because I work in healthcare it is not safe to be at my they need child care help and having a family work or safe to be around my diabetic mother with member or friend provide care seems like the the amount of exposure I have.” safest option, since they know and trust the “My son has sensitive lungs and I feel uncomfortable adults and they’re the only child or there’s a sending him back to daycare. I work and attend very small group of children that they know. school from home so I am able to care for him but it is Some parents expressed concern about the extremely difficult to manage all 3. By not sending my son back, will it affect my status with [subsidy]?” vulnerability of this FFN provider in getting COVID-19, or their ability to help their child “I had planned for my children to be able to go back with distance learning, due to limited English or to school. I am a single full-time working mother and I’m afraid I’m going to lose my job if they are not in technology capacity. school. I have a tremendous amount of anxiety about trying to work from home and homeschool AGAIN. “I only have my mom babysit or my sister and they It was near impossible to do last time and I thought I both live together and social distance. I want my was going to have a mental breakdown from all the children as safe as possible and I feel that’s with me stress. I want everyone to be safe and healthy, but I with the help from my mom, her grandma while also need to provide a house and food for my kids.” working from home.” “My kids would have been in school and then in the “I prefer my kids stay with family that I trust and know after school program. I’m a single mom who works full are being careful not to get infected with COVID.” time and I do not know what I’m going to do with my “I feel like it is highly risky to send children to school kids in the fall. This is a major stressor.” setting or public setting and would prefer someone I knew and my children knew.”

32 Conclusions and Recommendations

Balancing work and caregiving requires flexibility in either the workplace, family life or from the Maintain a Robust caregiver, and the results of this parent survey Mixed Delivery System illuminate this reality. During normal times, working parents have the daily task of juggling The results from this survey highlight the these pieces together, and flexibility in any of importance of a mixed delivery child care system. these areas makes a tremendous impact in their While this has always been important, the unique success. With the COVID-19 pandemic, finding struggles families are facing during this pandemic this balance and flexibility is more difficult and emphasize this even more. There is no one child even more important. With the financial impact care setting that meets the needs of all families in of parents losing their jobs or having their California, just as there is no one standard family. hours cut, the unexpected burden of having The results and insights from this survey show to find new child care due to virtual learning that while there are some consistent patterns or unavailability of their child care program, (i.e. valuing cleanliness/sanitation), there are also having to simultaneously supervise their child’s distinct groups of parents with varying priorities. learning while working and worrying about There are parents that expressed fear of the virus their decreased work productivity, and the and infection as their main concern, and are not fear and stress around their child and other comfortable with their children in any group family members being exposed to the virus, setting and prefer a family member or friend the normal child care struggle parents face is watch their child; there are parents whose main now exacerbated. These challenges are not concern is their school-aged child’s education, distributed evenly throughout California’s and want a person or program who can dedicate parents; those with lower incomes, those time to helping them with distance learning; working outside the home, and those in there are parents who are worried about their Spanish-speaking communities appear to bear child’s socialization and prefer a group setting; the burden of this. Money not only opens the there are parents who prefer centers because they door to more child care options, but with the view them as more regulated; there are parents opportunity to hire nannies and tutors, also who prefer a family child care home because of decreases the risk of infection and ensures the the smaller group size and individual attention, child is receiving the maximum benefit from and home-like environment. In thinking of ways online education (or avoids it altogether). to support families during this time, all of these Families are struggling, and their children are in concerns and preferences suggest that the system turn also struggling; increased support during has to include diverse options, so that certain this crisis is necessary, to mitigate the long- groups aren’t being prioritized over others. term financial and education consequences this pandemic will have on families and children. The following conclusions and recommendations are based on the results from this survey.

33 Recommendations to maintain pandemic: they’re able to have smaller group mixed delivery options: size, they’re more affordable, and they tend to be more flexible with hours and scheduling.1 Family child care providers are required to follow state CENTER-BASED CARE licensing regulations, and along with centers, Based on parents’ descriptions that preferred a have received state assistance to obtain cleaning child care center versus a family child care home, and sanitizing supplies and personal protection many perceived centers as more regulated and equipment during the pandemic. professional, and therefore cleaner and more sanitized. Licensed centers and family child care Recommendations to increase visibility of licensed homes may require different supports to remain family child care as an option for parents: open and safe. Reduced child capacity has made • A program that provided coaching to family it nearly impossible to remain financially feasible child care providers, and a list of procedures for most centers, with overhead (rent, staffing) and precautions to be taken during this time that would allow the providers to receive an and increased sanitation (barriers, additional toys unofficial badge or certification that would and equipment, cleaning supplies). convey to parents that they’re doing everything they can to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 Recommendations to maintain and efficiently infection and spread could help both the provider’s business and parents’ peace of mind. use center based group settings: Companies such as Airbnb have adopted similar • Providing public or private in-kind and financial practices so that customers feel safer staying in assistance (free space usage, cover the cost someone else’s home; a similar approach could of reconfiguring their space, cleaning service, help parents feel more comfortable using a supplemental grants to pay for staffing costs, home-based setting during the pandemic, and etc.) will help to maintain this valuable supply potentially in years to come. for parents. • The state should apply for a federal Waiver 2 • School-aged care should be done in partnership for Extraordinary Circumstances for relief with schools, possibly using school space and from specific CCDF requirements for health keeping the number of participants low to enable and safety training for home-based providers, safe distancing. When children are attending especially while in-person trainings are limited different schools and using different online and necessary to accommodate the diverse technology devices at off-campus settings, it is language speakers. difficult for a supervising adult to support youth • Making an allowance for subsidy payments and children. Technology support to the provider for license-exempt caregiving to be allowed or coordination of children at the same school with in the parents’ home (and not be bound by one provider may make this more supportive of the minimum wage rule) to help keep people children and manageable for providers. together in one pod. Some parents mentioned • Research additional options to consider wanting to use a friend or family member temporarily adjusting classroom capacity based for child care, but they were worried about on space configuration or mixed age groups exposing someone that that person lived with a maximum number of families, instead of with who is high risk. For families using child the more familiar adult-to-child ratio. care subsidies, they don’t have to option of that caregiver watching their child in their own home. If this rule is suspended, at least FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AND temporarily, it allows families the option of having this informal caregiver live in and watch INFORMAL SUPPORT their child(ren) in their home, thereby creating a safer bubble. In many ways, family child care homes uniquely meet the needs of parents, especially during the

34 • Support that enables a home-based provider to Recommendations to support parents: assist children with distance learning such as high speed connectivity, a special technical help line • Advocate for federal and state funds to support to troubleshoot computer issues for school-aged subsidized child care for families. Encourage children, and virtual and/or recorded play groups. local and state incentives for employers to offer or subsidize child care for their employees (at all levels of their business). Support for Parents • Encourage workplace flexibility and enable Through the open-ended responses, it’s clear parents to successfully juggle between their that this is an extremely stressful time for caregiving duties and work responsibilities. parents. Whether they’re working outside • The state’s subsidized child care system should the home and their young child’s child care examine and consider if their standard eligibility program has closed or has restricted hours due rules need to be adjusted in the current and immediate post-pandemic period as our to COVID-19, they do not have a familial social economy rebuilds. Some subsidized programs network to help them, or their school-aged child require that you meet their defined need with an IEP needs consistent help during the at the time of eligibility or recertification of day doing distance learning but there’s no one one’s eligibility in the program. While subsidy eligibility is stable for 12 months after initial available to do this, many parents expressed certification, including if a parent is seeking a frustration from feeling at a loss and not knowing job, working, in a job training program or going what they were going to do. While higher to school, there may be many disruptions to income families are able to hire a babysitter, that pattern that the state agencies should anticipate and be open to potential adjustments nanny, or tutor, lower and middle income to the norm. This can include eliminating families are often left with few options, especially the family fee requirement, lengthening if they’re a single parent or don’t have family in 12-month eligibility, extending hours eligible the area (or that family is considered high risk). for reimbursement, and adding more flexible funding in high-growth geographic areas with Many parents have had their hours or salaries cut density of low-wage workers. at work, and now have the unexpected cost of child care added on top of it. There’s considerable • Redeploy any staff who are in contact with families (such as home visitors, Alternative discussion around supporting the economy Payment, or child care resource and referral staff, during this time, but even if jobs become etc) to check in with parents and see how they’re available, if there’s no support around accessing coping, and offer any resources or support or affording child care, parents will have to leave available, such as local food banks, WIC, and other local resources. Using this whole family the workforce or delay re-entering it, as evident model recognizes that the additional stress in some of the parent insights. Parents shouldn’t experienced by parents during this time also be forced into making the impossible choice of directly affects the child, and tries to support the caring for their children or working, especially as family in a holistic way. lack of income will have many more long-term • Where non-English-speaking parents or consequences for children well beyond this family members are finding themselves as a pandemic. This is another phenomenon that is caregiver and supporting their child’s online participation in school, ensuring there is not new, but has become more salient now, and support for the non-English speaker so they disproportionately affects women. can help their child as needed.

35 supplemental funds, since market rate subsidy Widening Inequality reimbursements penalize those in low- income counties/communities because their This pandemic is not egalitarian in its impact; maximum reimbursement is dependent on the this is evident in not only the infection and market price, which is lower in lower income death rates3 but in the financial toll, particularly communities. Include the corresponding need to build sustainable child care support options, on families. The discrepancy between those ideally that lead to child care providers’ wealth who have lost their job or been furloughed by accumulation and asset building and/or a the language the survey was filled out in (15% professional career for some individuals. for English, 43% for Spanish) is stark, as well as • Correspondingly, low-income families should the number of parents who are working from have priority in accessing child care subsidies that home versus outside of the home by household support them in their parenting responsibilities. income (page ). The effects of this inequality are • Support parents to create a learning pod for passed on to children, particularly school-aged their children using voucher subsidies. Continue children. Higher income parents mentioned to allow parents to hire a TrustLine caregiver holding their child back from kindergarten for while following the Emergency Capacity Waiver under Department of Social Services and another year of private preschool, meaning once explore available public funding targeted to they enter kindergarten their child will be one Local Education Agencies, such as Local Control year ahead of the others, or transferring to a Funding Formula (LCFF) supplemental or Federal private kindergarten program so they don’t have Title I, to partner with FCCs to support and enhance learning of school-aged children. This to do distance learning though the public school. could include hiring a tutor to support distance Others mentioned hiring nannies, babysitters, or learning, and increasing the reimbursement tutors to help their child with distance learning of school-aged children so a provider doesn’t during the day, or sharing a tutor with a group of experience a decrease in income due to lower reimbursement rates for a pod of school-aged other children. This level of support and security children only. was not seen in lower and middle income families, who mentioned staggering shifts • Support a range of resources and opportunities to support children and families, in addition to between parents so the children aren’t left at child care funds directed to communities most home alone, having to work from home full time impacted by Covid-19 as soon as possible. This and also try to also help their child with distance can include personal protective equipment, learning (which is much harder with younger job opportunities, health and mental health services, educational and nutrition supports children or those with special needs), trying to within schools, free distance learning support, juggle care between various family members and transportation, so community environments and friends, or still not knowing how they were feel safe and secure. going to fit all the pieces together. In a state and system that already has gross inequality in children’s opportunities, this pandemic will only widen this gap. 1 California Child Care Resource & Referral Network. (2020). 2019 California Child Care Portfolio. Recommendations to slow the 2 CCDF Frequently Asked Questions in Response to COVID-19. widening inequality: (2020, March 13). Retrieved September 16, 2020, from https://www. acf.hhs.gov/occ/resource/ccdf-faqs-in-response-to-covid-19 • Child care funds must be targeted and enhanced in low-income communities to 3 COVID-19 Hospitalization and Death by Race/Ethnicity. (2020, shore up the child care supply and make it a August 18). Retrieved September 16, 2020, from https://www.cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/investigations-discovery/ safe opportunity for families to use. Consider hospitalization-death-by-race-ethnicity.html