Rural communities have distinct density features that are associated with unique characteristics of how families access child care and the type of care they are most likely to use. In general, rural families face increased challenges in obtaining high quality, affordable child care that is within a reasonable distance from home or work, compared to families in more dense urban communities. The child care industry offers services through three main types of providers: center-based care, home-based care, and unlicensed care, usually provided by family members, friends, or neighbors (FFN care). Rural families are significantly more likely to use home-based and FFN care due to the limited availability, high cost, and distance to child care centers.
It is important to note that FFN care is a huge part of the overall child care ecosystem. Over 60% of children in the US are in FFN care.
Rural challenges in access to child care is an urgent problem that can be seen by the number and location of child care deserts. The NC Rural Center states that 44 percent of rural residents live in a childcare desert. Child care deserts are census tracts with more than 50 children under age 5 that contain either no child care providers or so few options that there are more than three times as many children as licensed child care slots.