Proposal for a Child-Centered Approach to the Nation's Child-Care Crisis

• NCJ Number: 192475
• Journal: Children's Legal Rights Journal Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 2001 Pages: 25-33
• Author(s): Tamara E. Perry
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article makes the argument that the United States needs a comprehensive, coordinated, and universal system of childcare.

Abstract

The author argues that the United States is currently facing a national childcare crisis. The factors that have contributed to a national childcare crisis include: childcare policies that do not focus on the needs of children, a failure to acknowledge that childcare is education, and an unwillingness to accept the fact that childcare is a societal concern. It is the primary idea of this article that the lack of any form of childcare entitlement is the main cause of the current cause of the crisis. Unless the Nation recognizes and creates a right to childcare for all children, the major problems that make-up the childcare crisis--the lack of affordable care, lack of quality care, and the lack of available care--will not be adequately addressed. In addition, in order to address this crisis, it is essential that children have access to publicly funded quality childcare from birth. In order to make this goal a reality, childcare must be made a universal entitlement. This entitlement would apply regardless of income, which is similar to public education. Part 1 of this article gives the background to the current childcare crisis. This description includes the status of the Nation’s childcare policies, an examination of major policy principles that have shaped the national approach to childcare, and an explanation of factors that contributed to the current childcare crisis. Part 1 also advocates a child-centered policy approach. This discussion is followed by an explanation of why universal childcare entitlement is necessary to help resolve the childcare crisis. Part 2 also reviews the “policy theory,” which underlies the arguments in this article. The conclusion presents a recommended course of action by policymakers, which includes a legislative mandate in the form of granting a childcare entitlement.