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Abstract

This study examined racial disparities in access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) by geographic location among Head Start–eligible low-income children, using Head Start Impact Study Data. Children living in urban (n = 3,172) were compared with those in rural areas (n = 608) for access to types and quality of care, including Head Start (both high and low quality), center-based care, home-based care, and parental care. Rural and Hispanic children had less access to center-based care, relying more on informal or parental care. Although African American children were more likely to enroll in center-based care, those in urban areas had less access to high-quality Head Start compared with white children in urban areas. These findings highlight significant barriers related to race and geography that must be addressed to ensure equitable access to high-quality ECEC for all children in poverty.

Keywords

geographical disparity racial disparity access to child care quality of child care

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The Racial Disparity of Access to Early Childhood Education and Care by Geographical Locations among Children in Poverty

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