Phase 2 (2013 – 2017) focuses on the provider- and subsidy program-related factors that impede families’ access to quality, stable care arrangements and investigates strategies that can successfully integrate subsidized providers into quality improvement efforts.

This phase of CCRP involves four research components: a case study of the local subsidy-early childhood education (ECE) policy context in each study site, a mapping study of the supply of care from 2011 – 2016 against subsidy-eligible families’ child care needs; a linked parent-provider study that analyzes how Phase 1 survey families’ subsidy trajectories are associated with provider quality/stability characteristics; and a qualitative interview study of child care providers.

Our research questions are:

1) From the perspective of key stakeholders involved in Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and ECE quality improvement efforts, what factors facilitate or impede low-income families’ access to subsidized, high quality and stable care?

2) From the perspective of key stakeholders involved in CCDF and ECE quality improvement efforts, what key challenges face quality initiatives, especially around recruiting and working with subsidized providers in the areas of quality, credentialing, professional development and Quality Rating System (QRS) participation? How do subsidy policies and practices intersect with these efforts?

3) How much high-quality, subsidized child care is available to meet the needs of subsidized families (with differing characteristics), where is it located relative to where subsidy-eligible families live, and does it increase over time with the implementation of State Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?

4) Are subsidized provider characteristics related to the particular subsidy trajectories of subsidized families?

5) From the perspective of subsidized providers across sectors, what system-related factors facilitate or impede low-income families’ access to subsidized, high quality and stable care?

6) What strategies do subsidized providers employ to help families (especially underserved subpopulations of subsidy users) access high quality, stable care? How do providers balance competing demands of the subsidy program with efforts to provide quality care?

7) From the perspective of subsidized providers across sectors, what factors facilitate or impede involvement with state ECE efforts around quality improvement, credentialing, professional development and QRS/QRIS participation? What types of activities would increase their interest and ability to engage with quality improvement efforts?