Chapter 2 Determining the Need for Child Care
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Some centers consist of only one classroom of children, while others may have sev-
eral classrooms serving many children. The number of children enrolled in a center
will be determined by the ages of the children enrolled, the number of square feet in
the building, and state licensing standards. The required number of adults in the
center will depend on the ages of the children and the state-mandated adult-to-child
ratios. In some states, maximum group size is also regulated.
Parents often choose center care because of the opportunity it provides for children
to have an organized preschool experience. The center can help children get ready for
school while, at the same time, they learn to play and interact with others, 2-8. Center
care is reliable. The illness or absence of one staff member will not cause the whole
program to shut down. Many parents have become aware of findings that indicate a
good child care setting can have positive outcomes for the children who attend.
Some centers offer many options for parents. Full-day or part-day, weekend care,
shift care, transportation, lunch programs, and opportunities for special lessons may
all be available for parents to choose. Although some options require extra fees, for
busy parents, not having to pack a lunch or pick their child up early for dance lessons
can be a savings in time and effort.
Most parents value the peace of mind they feel knowing their children are in a
program that is staffed by caring, trained adults. They seek programs that are licensed
and well supervised. Even parents of infants and toddlers frequently choose center-
based care because of its stability and predictability.
Centers may be sponsored by not-for-profit organizations. They may receive
public funds to help defray the costs for low- to moderate-income families. They may
also be privately owned and operated for a profit. Funding sources will be discussed
further in the next chapter.
2-8 Center-based care provides children with an organized program and a chance to develop
social skills while interacting with a group of others.