The child care arrangements of preschool-age children in immigrant families in the United States

Abstract

This study examined the child care arrangements of children in immigrant families. Using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the study found great diversity in the child care arrangements of children according to their nativity status. Children in immigrant families, especially those in low-income immigrant families, were found less likely to use centre-based child care. Mexican, Asian, and other Hispanic children are also less likely to use centre-based child care. Because quality centre-based child care has been shown to benefit preschool-age children and help prepare them for school, both scholastically and psychologically, less use of centre-based child care among children in immigrant families compared to children in non-immigrant families is a potentially troubling finding. Public policies promoting greater access to and more use of centre-based child care, especially for low-income immigrant families and two-parent immigrant families, may make a significant difference to their children's long-term adaptation, and their children's school readiness and achievement. © 2004 IOM.