About Childcare Programs

Child Care - About Childcare Programs

DID YOU KNOW:

*  Approximately 24 million school aged children require care while their parents are at work.

*  There are almost 15 million latchkey children in the U.S.

*  63 percent of children in Florida have working parents

*  Juvenile crime (vandalism, under age drinking, drug use, illicit sexual behavior) is most likely to occur between
    the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. 

WHEN LEFT UNSUPERVISED, STUDIES INDICATE CHILDREN:

*  Have higher absentee rates at school

*  Have lower academic test scores

*  Exhibit higher levels of fear, stress, nightmares, loneliness, and boredom

*  Are 1.7 times more likely to use alcohol

*  Are 1.6 times more likely to smoke cigarettes

CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY SCHOOL AGE CARE PROGRAMS:

*  Are more cooperative with adults

*  Are more likely to resolve conflicts by talking instead of hitting and fighting

*  Improve their academic performance

*  Avoid being retained a grade

SOURCE: 1998 NATIONAL SCHOOL AGE CARE ALLIANCE PUBLIC POLICY POSITION PAPER