Public Policy Implications of Child Day Care Licensing and Regulations

Abstract

Local child day care providers are licensed by the State of Michigan Department of Social Services. The aim of this research is to develop a better understanding of the policies that affect child care operations in the Flint, Michigan urban area. The general belief about child care is that it is scarce because of cost, location, family conditions, or employment conditions. Child day care licensing and regulations may cause various problems for those persons needing child care provisions. The services desired by parents may be formal, licensed and regulated services, or informal unlicensed, and unregulated child care. This research is expected to enhance the social understanding of the relationship between the demand for child day care services, and the implications for those services administered by the various organizations in the area.