DEL News

July 29, 2008
Washington parents know quality child care, new survey shows

OLYMPIA – The Department of Early Learning (DEL) today issued the results of a statewide survey that offers an unprecedented look at what Washington parents want and need when making early learning decisions for their families. The survey of more than 900 Washington parents of children ages birth through 5 is among the most comprehensive surveys of its kind conducted in the nation.

“This assessment gives us a wealth of new information about parents, who we at DEL believe are their children’s first and most important teachers,” said DEL Director Jone Bosworth. “We will use the results to inform our budget and policy decisions so we are serving the parents and families of our state well, and reaching them with information and resources they need.”

Among the findings:

  • Washington parents know what quality child care is. An overwhelming number of parents—97 percent—say cleanliness and safety is a very important consideration when choosing child care. Other reasons that were very important to parents include how the child care provider talks and plays with children; the providers’ experience and training; and the learning activities/books/toys available. These parental priorities mirror DEL’s minimum licensing requirements, which help ensure licensed providers offer safe, healthy and fun learning environments.
  • Parents want information about early learning and child development, but no one form of communication reaches all families. Most parents want more information about family-friendly community activities, how to support early reading skills, how to help a child start kindergarten ready to succeed, and ways to help children manage their emotions and get along with others. Parents most trust pediatricians, child care providers or teachers, and family and friends for this information. However, parents differ in their desire for information on various topics and on preferred sources for information by their primary language and socioeconomic status.
  • Parents access a variety of child care and early learning arrangements. Half of Washington children ages birth through 5 are regularly cared for by only their parents or guardians. About 30 percent of children are in a center-based child care or preschool program; 15 percent are in the informal care of a family, friend, neighbor or nanny; and 5 percent are cared for by family home child care providers.

The 2007 Legislature earmarked $400,000 for DEL to conduct the Parent Needs Assessment. DEL contracted with SRI International, an internationally recognized nonprofit research organization, to design and implement the assessment.

Through a phone survey and focus groups around the state, DEL reached out to more than 900 Washington parents. The survey data collection and analysis methods used allow DEL to generalize the findings to the parents of all children ages birth through 5 in Washington and children belonging to different subpopulations—based on age, primary language, family income and type of community. The focus groups provided a closer look at the needs and preferences of parents who are: teens, serve as foster parents, are homeless, are migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, are from an American Indian tribe, are from the Chinese community, are from the Vietnamese community, and are in the military.

View the DEL 2008 Parent Needs Assessment report at www.del.wa.gov/publications/research.

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The Washington State Department of Early Learning is a Governor’s Cabinet-level state agency created in 2006 to bring heightened visibility and focus to early learning and help all Washington children reach their full potential. DEL oversees the state-funded comprehensive preschool program, child care licensing, and other initiatives and programs to support parents as children’s first and most important teachers. For more information, visit the DEL Web site at www.del.wa.gov.

For more information:

DEL Communications Manager Amy Blondin
360.725.4919 (office)
360.878.0628 (cell)
amy.blondin@del.wa.gov