This study sought to examine full-day, year round child care for preschool-age children in Maine to better illuminate links between the quality and the costs of early child care in Maine.
The goal of the Maine Cost and Quality Study is to examine full-day, year-round, community-based center care for preschool-age children (2.9 years to 5 years) and licensed family child care homes. In 2000-01, we observed 96 preschool classrooms and interviewed directors about the costs of providing care. In 2002-03, we observed 80 family child care homes and interviewed providers about the costs of providing family child care and their experiences as family child care providers.
This study addresses the following research questions:
- What is the quality of early care and education services in Maine?
- What are the costs of early care and education services?
- What is the relationship between quality and costs? Does it cost more to provide higher quality care?
The report on the full-day, year-round centers for preschoolers is now available.
The report on family child care homes in Maine is now available.
