The challenge is to find the right components and make the resulting child care system work. This book focuses on the needs of children under age three in poor and low-income families. Family stability and well-being dramatically affect children's development, say the authors, especially during a child's first years. Industrialized countries like Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, and Finland achieve significantly better outcomes for children. A survey on children and families in America's cities, by Judith Meyers and John E. Kyle.
Cities view child care as the most pressing issue for children and families.
This new survey of officials from 780 municipal governments with populations of 10,000 or more finds most cities are involved with policies and programs for children and families, especially in the safety and recreation arenas. Major concerns include adolescent risk-taking behaviors, family stability, and affordable housing. For low-income families, city officials are especially worried about housing, employment, and child care. Over half the cities spent significantly more money than five years ago, but falling revenues and citizen resistance are barriers to increasing spending on children and families. Officials expressed fears that stricter eligibility rules, declining funds, increasing mandates, and worker training needs would take attention away from children and families.