A Profile of Child Care Services Offered at Land-Grant Institutions

A survey was created and distributed to land-grant institutions to determine the availability and description of child care services at those institutions. Participants were 70 directors of child care centers or central administrators at land-grant institutions. Thirty-nine questions provided general demographic information, general information regarding child care programs at each institution, and specific information regarding administrative concerns and quality issues in child care (based on the components of quality from the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, 1984) in both full- and half-day programs. The results yielded information that all of us in a university setting may find compelling. Most institutions are experiencing increased child care needs. The least serviced children are in the infant and after-school age groups. Very little child care is available at night and on weekends. Most child care programs are subsidized by the institution. Additionally, much of the ongoing maintenance is provided by the institution or individual college or department. Morale among staff is high. Finally, the least amount of support for child care programs came from boards of trustees, central administration, and some academic deans and department heads. Implications for land-grant institutions as we approach the 21st century are discussed