Working Parents Prioritize Social Development in Considering Pandemic Child Care Solution

Rhea-AI Summary

A recent survey by Bright Horizons (NYSE: BFAM) highlights the challenges parents face in securing effective child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among working parents, 78% express concern over their children missing social and developmental opportunities. Notably, 46% of those using in-home care feel that child care centers offer better social and educational experiences. In contrast, 67% of parents with children in centers believe their arrangements foster social development. The survey indicates a strong desire for structured child care, with 89% of parents open to enrolling their children in such settings soon.

Positive

• 67% of parents with children in centers feel it supports social development.
• 97% of parents with children in care centers can focus on work.
• 89% of parents not currently using care centers are open to enrollment.

Negative

• 78% of parents outside child care settings worry about social development.
• 46% of parents with in-home providers believe centers offer more opportunities.
• 34% of parents struggle with work-life balance due to lack of structured care.

The stress and uncertainty brought on by almost a year of the COVID-19 pandemic has left working parents struggling to find a child care solution that not only meets the expectations of their employers, but also the social and educational development of their children.

A new survey of working parents commissioned by Bright Horizons® (NYSE: BFAM) revealed that over three-quarters (78%) of parents whose children are not in a child care center or school setting are worried that their child is missing out on social and other developmental opportunities.

Almost half of parents (46%) with a nanny or in-home care provider agree that a child care center or school setting would provide more opportunities to socialize with other children, and 4 in 10 believe it would provide educational opportunities (41%) and/or more engaging activities (38%) for their child.

On the other hand, two-thirds (67%) of parents with children in a child care center or school environment feel their arrangement supports the social development of their child.

“Working parents have spent the past 10 months being very nimble, pivoting on a daily basis as the world follows the course of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Stephen Kramer, CEO of Bright Horizons. “But after almost a year of living, working and caregiving from home, parents are in need of a consistent, reliable child care solution that enables them to focus on their work while keeping their children safe and healthy and also supporting the social, emotional and intellectual growth of their children.”

According to the survey, the majority of parents (97%) with children in a child care center or school setting feel their arrangement allows them to focus on their work. The survey also revealed that most parents (89%) whose children do not attend a child care center or school setting would consider this option for their child in the foreseeable future. The inability to juggle parenting and work (34%), along with children becoming increasingly bored at home (29%), are the factors that will weigh most heavily in parents’ decision to enroll in group education settings.

The study presents the findings of an Online CARAVAN® survey conducted by ENGINE Insights between November 5-10, 2020 among a sample of 1,004 parents of children ages 12 and under who are employed full-time or part-time.

About Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc.
Bright Horizons^® is a leading global provider of high-quality child care and early education, back-up care, and workplace education services. For more than 30 years, we have partnered with employers to support workforces by providing services that help working families and employees thrive personally and professionally. We operate approximately 1,000 child care centers in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and India and serve more than 1,200 of the world’s leading organizations. Bright Horizons’ child care centers, back-up child and elder care, and workforce education programs, including tuition program management, education advising, and student loan repayment, help employees succeed at each life and career stage. For more information, go to www.brighthorizons.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210119005073/en/

FAQ

What does the Bright Horizons survey reveal about child care during COVID-19?

The survey shows 78% of parents worry their children are missing out on social and developmental opportunities.

How many parents consider enrolling their children in child care centers according to Bright Horizons?

89% of parents currently not using care centers are considering enrollment.

What are parents' concerns regarding in-home child care providers?

46% feel that child care centers provide better social and educational opportunities.

How do parents feel about their current child care arrangements during the pandemic?

67% of parents with children in centers feel their arrangement supports social development.