All children have comparable needs regardless of the order of their birth. Therefore, by no means should aid to families with dependent children be limited to a specified number of children or a child of record. Young children's healthy development, especially their social and language development, is greatly affected by the quality and consistency of their child care experiences. Provisions for child care for children from low income families must ensure that settings meet standards of quality and that children are able to remain in the same setting over time. As family income increases, children should be able to remain in the same child care arrangement, if parents choose.
All families have the right to provide child care themselves for their children.
Families at many economic levels are finding this right difficult to maintain. This right was supported by the recent passage of the family and medical leave act. The right to care for their own children should not be compromised for mothers on welfare. However, if mothers are required to work or participate in training toward the goal of ending welfare dependency, they must be entitled to child care. Transportation to child care must also be available.