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List of all releases for this calendar year

PublicMind research for years 2001-2017

For September 30, 2020 release

Contact:
Kevin McManemin
908-698-9473

kmcmanemin@thenicholsonfoundation.org

or

Rich Higginson
908-763-0857
richard_higginson@fdu.edu

 

Poll: New Jersey Working Parents Face Child Care Challenges Due to COVID-19

MADISON, New Jersey, Sept 30, 2020 – COVID-19 has driven some New Jersey parents with children under 3 years old out of the workforce—predominately women—and reduced affordable quality child care options, according to a new online statewide survey. Nearly 40% of parents using child care surveyed said it was more difficult to find affordable child care since the pandemic began. Since the state reopened child care on June 15th, 38% of parents with children under three report their child care costs have increased. More Hispanic (53%) and Black (41%) families report their child care costs have increased when compared to that of non-Hispanic White families (31%). The Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll conducted the survey of more than 900 parents of infants and toddlers in August 2020 with support from The Nicholson Foundation.

Since the pandemic began, more than one in 10 (14%) parents of young children in New Jersey indicated they quit their jobs to help manage child care, with six times more women impacted than men (19% versus 3%). Seventeen percent of parents indicated they were forced to reduce their work hours and 8% said they took an unpaid leave of absence.

“Even under normal circumstances, balancing child care and work can be challenging. COVID-19 has certainly made it much harder,” said Kimberly Boller, Ph.D., Chief Strategy and Evaluation Officer at The Nicholson Foundation. “COVID-19 has greatly increased the child care burden on parents, making it more difficult to work outside the home and find high-quality, affordable care for infants and toddlers.”

The need for safe, high quality child care was great during New Jersey’s shutdown from March through June because the study also finds nearly 70% of parents of infants and toddlers were employed or in training, with more than half indicating their jobs were considered ‘essential.’

The COVID-19 shutdown took its toll on New Jersey’s workforce. While 74% indicated they used child care from January through March 2020, in line with national trends, the number of parents of infants and toddlers using child care decreased to 58% since June 15th, when child care centers were permitted to open beyond families of essential workers. Many parents also worry about safety, with more than a third (35%) of those who chose not to use child care after the June 15th indicating they were worried about COVID-19 exposure.

Both during the period before COVID-19 and since June 15th, when child care centers reopened, the responsibility for providing child care for infants and toddlers falls squarely on relatives. Of those who use any type of child care, 50% report that care was provided by a relative. Among those using family members since June 15th, grandparents (75%) bear the bulk of the care. This means that overall, a third of all child care for infants and toddlers since June 15th is being provided by grandparents.

“The findings of this survey confirm that child care is a critical need for children, parents and the economy,” said Cecilia Zalkind, President & CEO, Advocates for Children of New Jersey. “We must fully invest in high-quality child care for infants and toddlers if we want to support both their intellectual and emotional growth and get people back to work.”

Most parents (76%) believe child care centers should receive funding to help with the increased costs of remaining open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 17% of parents of infants and toddlers believe they should shoulder the full cost of this child care funding. Consistent with national survey findings, a majority of New Jersey parents of infants and toddlers believe funding for the cost of remaining open should come from either the federal (77%) or state government (68%).

“Without adequate child care, everything I’ve worked for will crumble,” said Newark resident Jheryn Kenney. She recently returned to work after making the decision to send her toddler and her 6-year-old child to child care/school with in-person learning.

“My husband and I are concerned about the risk of exposure to the virus, but we’re hoping for the best. It was the best option because more than half my income is commission-based, so by not working, I’m compromising my ability to financially contribute to our family’s needs,” Kenney explained. “I still have not returned fully, as hours are limited. My daughter gets out of school at 3:00 p.m. and my son, 4:30 p.m. So I do my best every day to accomplish between 9:00 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. what others accomplish in a full day.”

Methodology

This study was funded by The Nicholson Foundation and conducted by the FDU Poll. The online survey was designed to provide estimates of adults in New Jersey with children age 35 months and younger. The survey was conducted August 17-24, 2020 with 914 adults residing in New Jersey.

This survey used a nonprobability sample source. Market Knowledge Online provided the sample, and individuals included are those who responded to invitations to participate in the survey. The Market Knowledge Online sample was selected based on quotas related to living in New Jersey with children 35 months or younger in the household. Surveys were conducted in English and via the web only. For panel recruitment, Market Knowledge Online uses invitations of all types including email invitations, phone alerts, banners, and messaging on panel community sites to include people with a diversity of motivations to take part in research.

Because nonprobability panels do not start with a frame where there is a known probability of selection, standard measures of sampling error and response rates cannot be calculated.

 

Question wording and order

Q18 Were you employed, in school, or in training during the COVID-19 shutdown (March through June 2020)?

Yes  

No   (Skip to Q20)

Q19 Was your job classified as 'essential' or necessary during the COVID-10 shutdown (March through June 2020)?

Yes  

No  

Not Applicable

Not Sure  

 

Q23 Please indicate which kinds of child care you used for your infant/toddler prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (from January through March 2020).  Check all that apply.

I did not use any type of child care (Skip to Q25)

Child care center   (Skip to Q26)

Home based child care provided by a non-relative in their own home   (Skip to Q26)

Care provided by a nanny in your own home   (Skip to Q26)

Care provided by a family member in his or her home  

Care provided by a family member in your home  

 

Q24 Which family member(s) provided care for your infant/toddler? (Check all that apply)

Spouse/Partner (Not the child's other parent or guardian)  

Grandparent  

Sibling of parent (Aunt or Uncle)  

Sibling of child (Under age 18)  

Sibling of child (Over age 18)  

Other family member (e.g., cousins)   ______________

(Skip to Q26

 

Q30 During a typical week between January and March 2020, how many days was your infant/toddler in child care?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

  

 

Q31 Typically, how many hours a day was your infant/toddler in child care?

1  

2  

3  

4  

5  

6  

7  

8  

9  

10 

11 

12+

 

Q33 From January to March 2020, as a result of issues related to child care for infant/toddler, had you ever...(Check all that apply). (Rotate)

Changed from full-time to part time work or reduced your hours  

Had your hours involuntarily reduced by your employer  

Been demoted or transferred  

Turned down a promotion /reassignment/new job  

Been reprimanded or fired  

Arrived late for work  

Missed participating in work related education/training  

Needed to leave work early

Not been able to attend classes or a training program  

Other (Specify)   __________________________________

None of the above  

 

Q37 Please indicate which kinds of child care, if any, you used for your infant/toddler since June 15th. Check all that apply.

I did not use any type of child care (Skip to Q50)

Child care center   (Skip to Q41)

Home based child care provided by a non-relative in their own home   (Skip to Q41)

Care provided by a nanny in your own home   (Skip to Q41)

Care provided by a family member in his or her home  

Care provided by a family member in your home  

 

 

Q38 Which family member(s) provided care for your infant/toddler? (Check all that apply)

Spouse/Partner (Not the child's other parent or guardian)  

Grandparent  

Sibling of parent (Aunt or Uncle)  

Sibling of child (Under age 18)  

Sibling of child (Over age 18)  

Other family member (e.g., cousins)   ________________

 

Q39 Why didn't you use child care since June 15th, 2020? (Check all that apply.) (Rotate)

Currently unemployed  

Stay-at-home parent  

Utilizing paid/unpaid leave   

The hours I work or attend school allow me to be flexible and care for my child   

Child is beginning preschool   

The cost has increased   

My child care provider has closed   

My child care provider is no longer accepting infants 0-11 months   

My child care provider is no longer accepting children 12 to 36 months   

My prior child care provider does not have room for my child   

Care quality does not meet my requirements   

I am worried about COVID-19 exposure or safety requirements    

Made other arrangements for now  

My spouse/partner cares for them  

Other (Specify)   ________________________________________________

(Skip to Q50)

 

 (Display Q42 only if using child care both Pre & Post Covid)

Q42 Comparing the cost of child care per month for your primary infant/toddler care arrangement before COVID and the cost now, has the amount...?

Stayed the same  

Decreased  

Increased by $1-49 per month  

Increased by $50-99 per month  

Increased by $100-149 per month  

Increased by $150-199 per month 

Increased by $300-399 per month  

Increased by $400 or more per month 

 

Q46 Since June 15th, how many days a week do you typically use child care for your infant/toddler?

1  

2  

3  

4  

5  

6  

7  

 

 

Q47 And about how many hours a day is your infant/toddler in child care? 

1  

2  

3  

4  

5  

6  

7  

8  

9  

10  

11  

12+  

 

Q48 Since Covid-19, has finding quality child care within your budget become easier or more difficult than before, or has there been no change? 

Much easier

Somewhat easier

The same

Somewhat more difficult

Much more difficult

 

Q50 How have you managed your work/school and child care since COVID-19? (Check all that apply) (Rotate)

I took a paid leave of absence   

I took an unpaid leave of absence  

I reduced my work hours  

I quit my job   

I worked off hours while my children needed attention  

I was forced to multitask between work and caring for my child  

I coordinated care with another adult in the house  

I coordinated job share with another colleague

No changes required

 

Q53 If child care is deemed essential, should child care providers receive funding to cover additional costs of remaining open during COVID-19 closures?

Yes  

No   (Skip to Q55)

Not Sure   (Skip to Q55)

 

Q54 Where should this funding come from for child care? (Check all that apply).

Federal government  

State government   

Donations or philanthropic organizations  

Employers  

Parents  

 

Q55 The following questions are for demographic purposes only.
How old are you?

18 - 20  

21 - 25             

26 - 29  

30 - 34  

35 – 45  

46 – 49  

50 - 55  

55 - 65  

66 OR OVER  

 

Q56 What was the last grade in school you completed?

8th Grade or Less  

High School Incomplete (Grades 9, 10 and 11)  

High School Complete (Grade 12)  

Vocational/Technical School  

Some College  

Junior College Graduate (2 Year, Associates Degree)  

4 Year College Graduate (Bachelor’s Degree)  

Graduate Work (Masters, Law/Medical School, Etc.)  

 

Q57 Last year, that is in 2019, what was your approximate total family income from all sources, before taxes?

Less than $25,000 

$25,000 to under $50,000 

$50,000 to under $75,000 

$75,000 to under $100,000 

$100,000 to under $150,000 

$150,000 or more 

Don’t know 

Prefer not to answer 

 

Q58 Are you currently employed full time, part time, or are you retired or not employed? 

Full time

Part time

Retired

Not employed

Don't Know (VOL)

Refused (VOL)

 

Q59 And finally, are you...

Male  

Female  

Non-binary/transgender  

Prefer not to answer  

 

 

 

 


Tables [percentages may not equal 100 due to rounding]

Q18 Were you employed, in school, or in training during the COVID-19 shutdown (March through June 2020)?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

914

510

173

142

75

14

 

251

648

Yes

68%

69%

70%

71%

53%

79%

 

82%

63%

No

32%

31%

30%

29%

47%

21%

 

18%

37%

 

Q19 Was your job classified as 'essential' or necessary during the COVID-10 shutdown (March through June 2020)?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

613

345

117

100

40

11

 

204

400

Yes

54%

56%

51%

58%

35%

27%

 

63%

49%

No

38%

39%

37%

29%

53%

27%

 

30%

41%

Not Sure

9%

5%

12%

13%

13%

45%

 

6%

10%

 

Q23 Please indicate which kinds of child care you used for your infant/toddler prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (from January through March 2020). (Check all that apply).

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

914

510

173

142

75

14

 

251

648

I did not use any type of child care

26%

25%

28%

28%

23%

43%

 

16%

30%

Child care center

34%

33%

28%

37%

47%

7%

 

42%

30%

Family member in your home

21%

24%

17%

15%

23%

43%

 

25%

20%

Family member in his or her home

19%

20%

21%

19%

15%

7%

 

19%

20%

Non-relative in their home

16%

16%

17%

17%

9%

14%

 

23%

12%

Nanny in your home

12%

14%

9%

9%

13%

14%

 

18%

10%

 

Q24 Which family member(s) provided care for your infant/toddler? (Check all that apply) (January through March 2020)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

314

189

56

39

23

7

 

90

223

Grandparent

68%

70%

77%

62%

48%

57%

 

57%

74%

Spouse/Partner (Not the child's other parent or guardian)

36%

40%

21%

33%

52%

14%

 

56%

28%

Aunt or Uncle

24%

23%

27%

31%

17%

29%

 

22%

25%

Sibling of child (Under age 18)

6%

8%

4%

3%

4%

0%

 

13%

3%

Sibling of child (Over age 18)

5%

4%

11%

5%

0%

0%

 

7%

4%

Other family member (e.g., cousins)

12%

8%

16%

28%

13%

14%

 

8%

14%

 

Q30 During a typical week between January and March 2020, how many days was your infant/toddler in child care?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

674

382

124

102

58

8

 

210

452

Mean

4.13

4.24

4.16

3.75

4.12

3.38

 

4.20

4.12

 

Q31 Typically, how many hours a day was your infant/toddler in child care? (Jan-March)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

 N=

674

382

124

102

58

8

 

210

452

Mean

6.73

6.98

6.77

6.05

6.34

5.50

 

6.48

6.92

 

 

Q33 From January to March 2020, as a result of issues related to child care for infant/toddler, had you ever...(Check all that apply). (Rotate)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

674

382

124

102

58

8

 

210

452

 Needed to leave work early

45%

47%

46%

39%

41%

13%

 

44%

46%

 Arrived late for work

39%

41%

35%

45%

29%

38%

 

39%

41%

 Changed from full-time to part time work or reduced your hours

17%

16%

20%

15%

22%

13%

 

16%

17%

 Missed participating in work related education/training

16%

16%

19%

15%

17%

0%

 

17%

16%

 Not been able to attend classes or a training program

15%

13%

13%

25%

16%

13%

 

13%

15%

 Had your hours involuntarily reduced by your employer

14%

14%

19%

15%

10%

0%

 

17%

13%

 Turned down a promotion /reassignment/new job

13%

13%

12%

15%

12%

0%

 

9%

15%

 Been reprimanded or fired

9%

9%

10%

10%

9%

0%

 

9%

9%

 Been demoted or transferred

5%

5%

2%

4%

9%

0%

 

3%

5%

 Other (Specify)

2%

2%

0%

4%

0%

0%

 

0%

2%

 None of the above

22%

25%

10%

18%

28%

50%

 

22%

21%

 

Q37 Please indicate which kinds of child care, if any, you used for your infant/toddler since June 15th. (Check all that apply).

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

 

914

510

173

142

75

14

 

251

648

I did not use any type of child care

42%

42%

44%

38%

47%

50%

 

29%

47%

Care provided by a family member in your home

22%

23%

20%

21%

21%

29%

 

28%

20%

Child care center

20%

21%

19%

22%

12%

7%

 

29%

16%

Care provided by a family member in his or her home

17%

19%

15%

14%

13%

14%

 

16%

17%

Home based child care provided by a non-relative in their own home

11%

10%

14%

13%

12%

7%

 

18%

8%

Care provided by a nanny in your own home

11%

13%

6%

13%

9%

0%

 

15%

10%

 

Q38 Which family member(s) provided care for your infant/toddler? (Check all that apply)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

236

143

45

26

17

5

 

62

172

Grandparent  

75%

78%

80%

65%

65%

40%

 

73%

77%

Sibling of parent (Aunt or Uncle)  

25%

22%

33%

23%

29%

40%

 

29%

23%

Sibling of child (Under age 18)  

10%

13%

4%

0%

18%

0%

 

21%

6%

Sibling of child (Over age 18)  

6%

6%

9%

4%

0%

0%

 

10%

4%

Other family member (e.g., cousins)   ________________

11%

8%

9%

27%

6%

20%

 

10%

11%

 


 

 

Q39 Why didn't you use child care since June 15th, 2020? (Check all that apply.) (Rotate)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

380

209

76

53

35

7

 

72

302

Stay-at-home parent

36%

37%

26%

47%

34%

14%

 

13%

41%

I am worried about COVID-19 exposure or safety requirements 

35%

33%

33%

36%

54%

0%

 

31%

36%

Currently unemployed

19%

20%

22%

19%

14%

0%

 

8%

21%

My spouse/partner cares for them

18%

18%

16%

19%

23%

14%

 

40%

13%

The hours I work or attend school allow me to be flexible and care for my child

15%

14%

22%

9%

11%

43%

 

10%

16%

Made other arrangements for now

8%

9%

7%

9%

6%

0%

 

6%

8%

My child care provider has closed

6%

6%

7%

4%

11%

0%

 

13%

4%

The cost has increased

4%

2%

3%

9%

11%

0%

 

0%

5%

Utilizing paid/unpaid leave

4%

5%

3%

2%

3%

0%

 

6%

3%

Baby Just Born

3%

3%

3%

6%

3%

0%

 

3%

4%

Child is beginning preschool

3%

3%

1%

2%

3%

14%

 

4%

2%

Care quality does not meet my requirements

3%

1%

3%

6%

9%

0%

 

3%

3%

My child care provider is no longer accepting infants 0-11 months

2%

1%

1%

2%

6%

0%

 

0%

2%

My prior child care provider does not have room for my child

1%

1%

0%

0%

0%

14%

 

1%

1%

My child care provider is no longer accepting children 12 to 36 months

1%

1%

0%

2%

0%

0%

 

0%

1%

 

Q42 Comparing the cost of child care per month for your primary infant/toddler care arrangement before COVID and the cost now, has the amount...?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

491

280

85

83

37

6

 

171

312

Stayed the same

47%

54%

34%

40%

27%

83%

 

41%

51%

Decreased

15%

14%

13%

19%

24%

0%

 

19%

13%

Increased by $1-49 per month

13%

8%

21%

20%

16%

17%

 

9%

15%

Increased by $50-99 per month

11%

10%

14%

11%

11%

0%

 

12%

9%

Increased by $100-149 per month

7%

5%

9%

7%

11%

0%

 

12%

4%

Increased by $150-199 per month

3%

4%

6%

1%

3%

0%

 

3%

4%

Increased by $300-399 per month

3%

3%

1%

1%

8%

0%

 

2%

3%

Increased by $400 or more per month

2%

3%

1%

0%

0%

0%

 

2%

1%

 

Q46 Since June 15th, how many days a week do you typically use child care for your infant/toddler?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

526

298

94

88

39

7

 

178

339

Mean

3.95

4.06

4.09

3.68

3.49

3.29

 

4.08

3.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q47 And about how many hours a day is your infant/toddler in child care? (Since June 15th)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

 

520

296

93

86

38

7

 

176

336

Mean

6.38

6.69

6.11

5.71

6.29

5.86

 

6.48

6.41

 


 

 

Q48 Since Covid-19, has finding quality child care within your budget become easier or more difficult than before, or has there been no change?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

525

297

94

87

40

7

 

177

339

Much easier

10%

11%

9%

11%

10%

0%

 

12%

9%

Somewhat easier

14%

13%

10%

22%

18%

14%

 

16%

14%

The same

36%

36%

37%

36%

30%

71%

 

40%

35%

Somewhat more difficult

23%

24%

26%

18%

30%

0%

 

23%

23%

Much more difficult

16%

16%

19%

13%

13%

14%

 

9%

19%

 

Q50 How have you managed your work/school and child care since COVID-19? (Check all that apply) (Rotate)

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

882

493

170

134

72

13

 

247

620

I coordinated care with another adult in the house

36%

39%

33%

26%

33%

54%

 

46%

32%

I was forced to multitask between work and caring for my child

35%

39%

29%

36%

29%

15%

 

40%

34%

I worked off hours while my children needed attention

23%

26%

19%

19%

17%

15%

 

24%

23%

I reduced my work hours

17%

18%

17%

17%

17%

15%

 

16%

18%

I quit my job

14%

13%

13%

16%

22%

0%

 

3%

19%

I took a paid leave of absence

10%

11%

10%

11%

10%

8%

 

11%

10%

I took an unpaid leave of absence

8%

8%

8%

7%

13%

0%

 

9%

8%

I coordinated job share with another colleague

7%

6%

9%

10%

7%

8%

 

13%

5%

 

Q53 If child care is deemed essential, should child care providers receive funding to cover additional costs of remaining open during COVID-19 closures?

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

N=

890

500

165

140

72

13

 

243

635

Yes

76%

77%

75%

69%

75%

77%

 

76%

76%

No

12%

12%

9%

16%

10%

23%

 

14%

11%

Not Sure

12%

10%

16%

15%

15%

0%

 

10%

13%

 

Q54 Where should this funding come from for child care? (Check all that apply).

 

Total

White

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Multi

 

Male

Female

 

669

384

124

97

54

10

 

183

481

N=

77%

78%

77%

71%

78%

90%

 

69%

81%

State government

68%

67%

72%

63%

74%

70%

 

66%

68%

Donations or philanthropic organizations

27%

26%

25%

31%

31%

40%

 

30%

26%

Employers

22%

21%

16%

24%

30%

50%

 

30%

19%

Parents

17%

18%

12%

19%

20%

30%

 

28%

14%

 

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