Users’ Perceptions and Factors that Inform the Choice of Childcare Services Utilization

The lack of affordable childcare in poor urban settings prevents women from engaging in paid work. Further, children face significant challenges related to their healthy development due to a lack of proper care when parents are at work. The NECS study was implemented to understand the use of paid childcare and the characteristics associated with these choices; the size of provision of paid childcare; and provider decision-making and behaviour around childcare. The study used a mixed-methods program of research including a household survey, childcare provider mapping, and qualitative research with parents/carers and childcare providers.