Infant Care Options are Few[1]

According to the 1997 National Survey of American Families, more than half (55 percent) of mothers in the United States with a child younger than three are employed. Some families turn to relatives, nannies, or family care settings for daycare. Child care is the only option for many.

Many states, including Maryland, require a 3:1 ratio or lower of infants to caregivers, and specialized training is also required to meet the unique needs of infant children. Because of this, most traditional child care centers cannot afford to provide infant care. Infant care centers can be few and far between, and there may sometimes be waiting lists for two year or more. This lack of child care is even more critical in light of research that indicates the importance the first three years of a child’s development are.

If you desire further information, please contact the EAP at 866/443-3277. You may also want to read the associated articles.

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[1] Choosing Child Care, Washington Parent, July 2002 14