The current market

There continues to be strong demand for the purchase of high-quality childcare businesses, both in terms of new entrants and existing nursery operators with plans to expand their portfolios. Here we have a snapshot insight into the current market.

Implementation of a new childcare Workforce Background Check system

Purpose As child abuse and neglect in childcare settings continue to occur, a quality childcare workforce is imperative. This paper aims to describe how an efficient and effective childcare Workforce Background Check system was developed and implemented to protect both children and childcare staff in the state of Michigan. Design/methodology/approach The user-centered design (UCD) approach was used in the creation and statewide implementation of a new acceptable and usable system, the Michigan childcare background check (CCBC) system. The authors conducted focus groups to obtain user feedback and performed several usability evaluations. This approach was used as guidance for the development process and to evaluate the concept designs for the web application that was created. Findings This paper discusses the overall process of implementing the CCBC program, focusing on successes, barriers and lessons learned in the planning, designing and execution phases. By May 2019, more than 92,069 background checks were conducted on personnel in 8,740 licensed childcare facilities across Michigan. Collaboration across stakeholders in different sectors facilitated the implementation of the new system, while structural barriers and stigma provided barriers to implementation. Practical implications Having individuals with various roles, abilities and technical expertise assist with the development and implementation of the system ensured the usability and acceptability of the new system by all types of users. Social implications The general public expects childcare providers to ensure that their employees meet the highest professional standards. Developing effective, easy-to-use fingerprint-based criminal history background check systems to identify ineligible applicants and monitor current employees is one component of an overall strategy to promote child safety and minimize child abuse and neglect in the childcare environments. Originality/value This paper provides a practical example of how a CCBC system can be developed, implemented and scaled to be used statewide. This approach can be used by other states or other disciplines with a similar context. Plain language summary As child abuse and neglect in childcare settings continue to occur, a quality childcare workforce is imperative. This paper shows how this study uses the UCD approach to create an acceptable and usable system and complete statewide implementation of a new Michigan CCBC program. This resulted in an efficient and effective Workforce Background Check system that is essential to protect both children and childcare staff.

Parental Choice

This qualitative study explored parental perceptions regarding parent's choice of quality childcare centers in urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan. Sixteen participants were selected from two centers in different geographical areas. For parents, the most common reason for selecting the childcare centers was the lack of other available options such as family support. Availability and accessibility of childcare centers were reported as supporting factors, while lack of family support, lack of information, and violent city conditions were identified as barriers to choosing childcare centers. In addition, husband support was perceived as a facilitator and a barrier to choosing childcare centers.

Childcare services in cities: challenges and emerging solutions for women informal workers and their children

Cities present important challenges for the extension of quality childcare services to informal workers, who make up most of the urban poor across the global South. For women, who are disproportionately responsible for childcare in their own households, access to quality childcare services allows for more time to earn an income and seek new employment. This is particularly important as women informal workers struggle to recover their earnings following the economic recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For children, quality childcare services can contribute to lifelong health, educational and social development benefits. This article explores the key barriers to childcare provision for women informal workers and their children in cities, and assesses the role municipalities can play in the provision of childcare services. Access to quality childcare services in urban areas can help break the cycle of gendered and intergenerational poverty as cities recover from the pandemic.

Counting on us

This year has been a game changer for the sector. At last it seems that high quality childcare is edging closer to recognition – for being crucial to the economy and parents returning to work, and to the development of children.

Universal access to quality childcare is good policy and a positive determinant of health. Let’s invest.

Research shows that affordable nonprofit childcare results in a variety of beneficial developmental outcomes for children, as well as benefitting families and society at-large. As leaders and influencers, paediatricians are well positioned to advocate for access to affordable, nonprofit childcare. This commentary aims to provide a framework and evidence base for Canadian paediatricians interested in learning more about this issue and how they can support increased access to nonprofit childcare.

The cost of losing staff to retail

The Education Policy Institute's recent report flags up the dangers of the continuing recruitment crisis in the early years sector. Without investment in pay, the Government risks its agenda for quality childcare.