blog 6

The type of child care that a child receives when they are young is very important to that child development. Child care arrangements is important because children spend most of the early childhood in childcare type of environments and based upon the "settings, provider, content, and the quality of care" (Chaudry pg.32) can effect that child development negatively or positively. There are different types of child care arrangements that low income mothers use. Sometimes mothers use "home based" care in which the father, kin, nanny, sitter, or siblings watch the child. Also there is "family child care, center care," and also other types of care giving settings such as "special needs care" (Chaudry pg. 34). However, not always are these types of child care arrangements or funds to pay for the arrangements available which puts a strain on the parent. In the reading, a working mother by the name of Brittany, had many challenges with child care arrangements for her daughter Bethany. There were many factors and situations that challenged her child care arrangements such as low paying jobs which cause financial issues, the incarceration of the father, conditions of the setting, and also depending on family members or the child care provider to be on time. Furthermore, trying to find, apply, and get approved for child care assistance can be a challenge as well. For Brittany, she was put onto a waiting list which resulted her relying on a family care provider which soon grew into a conflict.

There is a gap between the type of "child care that mothers prefer and the care they actually use." Most mothers prefer more of a home type arrangement for the younger children "and more learning opportunities." This is because children spend most of their days in childcare settings. Those who are not capable of having homelike arrangements have to result in other child care arrangements such as child care centers. According to the report, some of these low income centers can be unhealthy to the child. Some centers lack staffing, funding, and safety standards. However, mothers still have no choice but to place their children in these type of environments because of financial problems.