Racial Differences in Preschool and Daycare Arrangements in the United States

A new report from the U.S. Department of Education offers information on participation in preschool and daycare programs for young children in the United States. Some of the data is broken out by racial and ethnic group.

Some 63 percent of all African American children ages 5 and under were cared for by someone other than a parent at least once a week. This is only slightly higher than the rate for young White children. Some 43 percent of young Blacks were cared for by a relative compared to 33 percent of White children.

For children who were placed in a daycare center, more than a quarter of young White children attended a program at a church or other house of worship. For young Black children, only 16 percent attended a daycare center at a church.

More than two-thirds of African American parents said the cost of daycare was a very important factor in the decision of where to place their child. For Whites, only 47 percent said cost was a very important factor.

Some 75 percent of African American parents with children between the age of 3 and 5 reported that they read a story to their children within the past week. For Whites the rate was 91 percent.

The full report, Early Childhood Program Participation: 2019, may be downloaded by clicking here.

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1 COMMENT

  1. I believe that because of the abuse that goes on in the world today a parent have to be aware and looking throughly on who is going to care for their children. I wouldn’t let any stranger take care of my kids i would thoroughly check out any one involved.

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