Chapter 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs 59
Private Sponsorship
The largest group of privately
sponsored programs is the privately
owned center. These centers rely
on parent fees to cover most of the
operating expenses.
A privately sponsored program may
be operated by a house of worship,
hospital, or charitable organization.
Many of these child care centers are
nonprofi They may be governed fit.
by a voluntary board of community
members and operated as a service
to the community.
Most private programs are
operated by independent owners.
Many of these centers are operated
by families. Their motivation in
operating a center is to provide a
service that makes a profit. fi
Child Care Corporations
Some child care centers are a part
of chains operated by large national
corporations, although some chains
are privately held. Midsize chains
typically operate on a regional basis.
Often these centers are built and
located in large cities and suburban
areas. To make a profit in these fi
centers, the enrollment must be high.
The chains are managed by a central
administration that furnishes the
financial backing and sets policy. fi
Curriculum guides may be developed
by curriculum specialists hired by
the organization and provided to the
center staff in each of the locations.
Employer Sponsorship
The number of businesses
and industries providing their
employees with some type of
child care assistance is growing.
Some employer-sponsored child
care providers have extended
their services. They may include
special activities for school-age
children and care for older adults
and mildly ill children. The
employer may pay part or all of the
costs of the services. The center can
be located on-site or nearby.
Employers sponsor child care to
reduce the conflict between family fl
and work responsibilities. Studies
show that there is less employee
turnover and absenteeism at
companies that provide some form
of child care. At such companies,
employees have better work attitudes,
new employees are attracted,
community relations improve, and
good publicity is received. Moreover,
there are tax incentives for companies
who sponsor child care.
Companies can provide child
care assistance in several ways, 2-7.
Contact the human resource director C
of a large local company. Is child o
care part p of the employee benefitsfi c
package? What provisions does the company package
make for pare en ts with ill children? How
supportive is t th e company to its employees
who are paren nt s? Share your fi ndings in class. fi
Workplace Connections Workplace Connections
Types of Employer-Sponsored
Child Care Assistance
★ Company own ne d, on-site center
★ Off-site center sponsored by one or more companies
★ Company spo on sored, vendor provided centers
★ Vouchers prov vi ded by company to subsidize care
★ Sick child care e
★ Referral servic ce s
2-7 Companies Co mp an ie s may ma y assist as si st f f amilies am il ie s with wi th c c hild hi ld c c are ar e in in C C
many ways. m