Preliminary Results from the Sick Childcare Needs Assessment Study

Abstract

Working parents face a challenging predicament when their child falls ill at school or daycare. They must consider factors like the cost of sick childcare, transportation challenges, and potential loss of a day's pay when deciding whether to take time off work. To better understand these challenges and explore parents' needs, preferences, and behaviors related to sick childcare, the "Sick Childcare Needs Assessment Parent Survey" was conducted via social media from January 22 to February 28, 2024. Nineteen employed parents participated (n=19) in the survey. The study examined parents' likely actions if their child became ill, the maximum distance they would travel for sick childcare, interest in home-based sick childcare, perceptions of healthcare access, and the influence of sick childcare subsidies on employment decisions, along with demographic data. Analysis was performed using SPSS, with Chi-Square tests investigating correlations between staying home and factors like income, marital status, gender, and child illness frequency. Results showed no significant association between parents' actions and gender, income, or child illness frequency, nor between income and travel distance for sick childcare. However, a significant association was found between parents' actions and marital status. Overall, parents showed interest in home-based sick childcare and indicated that sick childcare subsidies might influence their decision to remain with an employer. Given the small sample size, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Future research with a larger sample is needed to better understand parents' sick childcare needs and decision-making challenges in accommodating sick childcare.