It is exactly this set of factors that has allowed use of the Internet to expand from simple information sharing to a booming venue for electronic commerce and the provision of public services. The Internet can be an effective, economical way to disseminate information on child care programs. It enables child care agencies to make large amounts of information available to clients with a small investment in staff and technology. Besides providing information, a child care agency web site may be designed to serve other functions. For example, a web site can collect preliminary client information and perform eligibility determinations.
State agencies can also use the Internet to provide program and licensing information to providers.
However, an agency site does not need to be all-inclusive. To be useful, the information on a web site must be kept current. In addition, the content should be appropriate for the audience in terms of literacy and language needs. While the Internet can bring many benefits to the child care field, it is not without limitations. The most significant barrier may be the fact that the population in need of child care services may have limited access to the Internet.