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 state of welfare to work and proximity to nearby licensed care impact her usage and choice of child care for her infant of preschool aged child. Her probability of using licensed care increases with age, higher earnings and a higher number of nearby licensed care slots. 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 suing licensed care.