Child Care Availability and Usage Among Welfare Recipients

Using multivariate analysis techniques to examine results of a survey of 309 single mothers on welfare in Los Angeles County, we find that a mother's stage of welfare to work and proximity to nearby licensed care impact her usage and choice of child care for her infant or preschool-age child. The probability of using licensed care increases with age, higher earnings, and a higher number of nearby licensed care spots. Having less than a high school education, having an infant in the household, being a Latina who primarily speaks English, and being involved in job search activities decrease the likelihood of using licensed care.