Comparisons of Location: Childcare and Its Neighbors



		Comparisons of Location: Childcare and Its Neighbors
		J. von Hacht
		Session: Wednesday, April 19, 2000, 8:45 - 11:30 a.m.	Author Info

ABSTRACT

This poster describes the distribution of licensed childcare facilities in Escondido, California. Escondido’s demographic characteristics are fairly representative of San Diego County. The city has an estimated 1999 population of 125,597. The 1990 census was of 108,635 persons. Escondido is located at the intersection of two freeways (I-15 and SH-78).

ArcView GIS and SPSS statistical software were used to analyze State of California Community Care Licensing Information, school and park addresses, and 1990 Census Tract data. This study does not attempt to include unlicensed childcare or private care (less than six children). This research examines the relationship between childcare locations and neighborhood characteristics, such as household income, family demographics, and proximity of parks and local schools.

Findings: Childcare facilities are near well-traveled corridors and locate in census tracts with low and moderate household incomes, as compared to the broader city. They locate in census tracts with an average proportion of family households, especially households with a greater proportion of female heads (no husband present). Childcare facilities tend not to locate in tracts where more than 40% of households consist of married couples with children. (This may be an area of more private childcare providers.) Tracts with above average proportions of households with infants and toddlers have fewer or no childcare facilities specializing in infant or toddler care. This is potentially an underserved population in neighborhoods of potentially greater demand. This study suggests policy implications regarding land use development and trends in dependent care: "Is infant and toddler care adequately provided?" and "What methods could be applied to distribute childcare facilities?"

Author and Copyright Information

J. von Hacht
California State Polytechnic University
Pomona, CA