Chapter 2 Determining the Need for Child Care
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home. Some families favor care from neighbors or relatives if it is available. For others,
the stimulation and more extensive daily programs usually found in a center are desired.
Some parents like to be involved in the center’s program, whereas others do not have
the time to do this. Some parents prefer large, multiple age centers so they can enroll
all their children at the same location. Others don’t mind having a preschool child at one
building while their toddler is enrolled in a nearby family child care home. School-age
programs are most likely to be chosen if they are located in the children’s schools.
Hours of Care Needed
Some families need full-time child care. Others need care only on a part-time basis.
Some parents are employed on weekends or evenings, but others may work varying
shifts. If you can determine there is a clear indication of need for a center with
weekend hours, you may want to consider this option. However, if there is almost no
demand for weekend care, you could easily decide not to even consider offering it.
Some centers are open 24 hours. Some centers, such as those in ski resort areas, may
be open longer hours during peak tourist season. You must be sure the hours of the
center match with the hours needed by parents who will use the program.
Special Services Desired
The needs of families vary. A program that can provide services to meet a variety
of these needs will be popular. Some families might prefer to buy lunches, sign their
children up for special lessons, or use occasional evening care for special events. If
parents have no way to get their children from the school to the location of your after-
school program, transportation might be a desired service. If you can provide bus or
van service, the families are more likely to enroll their children, 2-3. If a competing
child care center provides transportation and you do not, you will probably lose chil-
dren to the other center. On the other hand, if only one family requires this service, it
may not be profitable for you to offer it. You will need to decide what special services
your program should provide.
Parent education classes may be popular. Many parents often feel a need for more
information about effective parenting. Trying to work and balance family demands can
be difficult and frustrating. For many parents, having a chance to meet with others who
are experiencing the same feelings, or whose children are the same ages, can be a
helpful experience. Some centers sponsor parent
education programs. For example, a parent edu-
cator could lead group discussions about various
topics of concern with the adults, while the chil-
dren, who are supervised by center staff, play with
developmentally appropriate toys in the next room.
The parents feel comfortable with their children
nearby, while they have an opportunity to find
support from other caring adults. Programs like
this serve to introduce families to your center and
staff. These same families might enroll for full-time
care when it is needed.
Director’s Dilemma
For several years, you have been
planning to return to your home-
town after you finish school. You
would like to open a small child care
center in the basement of a church.
Many of your friends have told you
they think this is a good idea. How
can you find out whether your town
really needs a child care center?