The revolution in women's lives has created an unprecedented demand for non parental child care, and sparked a growing child care industry run by both public and private providers. In this book, two esteemed economists examine the causes and potential cures of the child care problems that face this country today. Writing for policymakers, parents, and providers alike, Barbara R. Bergmann and Suzanne W. Helburn provide the first in depth look at the child care industry, identifying crucial problems such as quality of care and the high cost of even mediocre care. Moreover, the authors identify sources for change including stronger regulatory procedures on providers and suppliers of care and more government subsidies. "America's Child Care Problem" examines the views of key players in all facets of the child care industry: CEOs, politicians, policy advocates, foundation directors, child care providers, and parents and offers specific advice and guidelines for parents to use when selecting care.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations Used in the Book List of Tables The Problem: What's Wrong with Child Care in America? The Question: Is There a Shortage of Affordable Quality Care? The Design: What Should a New Child Care System Look Like? The Yardstick: What Child Care Deserves to be Called 'Good?' The Report Card: How Much of America's Child Care is Good? The Regulations: How Much Quality Control in Child Care? The Marketplace: What is Peculiar About the Child Care Industry? The Caregivers: Do Care Workers Get Enough Training and Pay? The Cost: Can We Afford Good Quality Care? Appendices: A: Policy Recommendations B: Evaluating the Quality of Care: A Checklist for Parents

Author Biography

BARBARA R. BERGMANN is an economist who writes on welfare, child care, and economic and social policy. She is the author of several books, including Is Social Security Broke? A Cartoon Guide to the Issues (2000), In Defense of Affirmative Action (1997), and The Economic Emergence of Women (1986), to be reissued by Palgrave. She is professor of Economics Emerita at American University and the University of Maryland. - SUZANNE W. HELBURN is Professor of Economics Emerita at the University of Colorado at Denver, and has published widely on the cost and quality of child care.