RURAL AND URBAN FAMILIES USE OF CHILD-CARE

Limited information is available concerning rural families' selection and use of child care. In this study, 199 Midwestern rural families with young children used fewer caregivers for a longer time and for more hours than 763 urban families. More rural families used relatives as caregivers than urban families, especially for young children. Parental use of child care influenced caregiver selection. Information about rural families is needed in order to establish appropriate programs and services.