SEPTEMBER 2020 LOS ANGELES COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION SURVEY KEY FINDINGS PRESENTATION SURVEY SAMPLE SIZE: 843 CIVICALLY ENGAGED RESIDENTS MARGIN OF SAMPLING ERROR: ±3.38% PRESENTED BY: SEPTEMBER 2020 LOS ANGELES COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE & EDUCATION SURVEY KEY FINDINGS PRESENTATION PRESENTED BY: THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FUNDERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THIS REPORT: • THE CARL & ROBERTA DEUTSCH FOUNDATION • HEISING-SIMONS FOUNDATION • LA PARTNERSHIP FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD INVESTMENT • THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION • EUGENE AND MARILYN STEIN FAMILY FUND TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY 02 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH • PERCEPTIONS OF KEY ISSUES • ATTITUDES TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES • PARENT PRIORITIES • ELECTORAL ISSUES 03 CONCLUSIONS 01 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES & METHODOLOGY RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research was designed to meet certain objectives: • Determine the public’s attitudes and opinions related to child care and early childhood education programs in light of recent national events. • Gain an understanding of the public’s stance on the issues of child care and early learning opportunities, and sense of urgency for solutions. • Understand how parents and adults without children prioritize the issues young children and families face. • Assess if the issue of childcare and the early learning workforce on its own is considered by the public as a social issue that impacts society at large. • Gauge the public’s sense of urgency for larger investments via County taxes or any other type of funding for early childhood education programs. • Determine if members of the public believe supporting the healthy development of young children leads to safer communities and less financial impact on our region’s economy in the long term. 5 SURVEY METHODOLOGY • Online survey of 843 civically-engaged residents, measured by voter registration. • Survey conducted in English and Spanish, August 19-30, 2020 • Invitations to complete the survey sent by email and text message to a random sample of voters likely to participate in the November 2020 General Election. • The Margin of Sampling Error (MOE) is ±3.38% at the 95% confidence level. 6 SURVEY METHODOLOGY • Responses include oversamples of: • 200 Los Angeles Board of Supervisors District 2 voters • 200 LAUSD Board District 7 voters • 168 Parent of Children Under 5 • Geographic and demographic subgroups have been weighted back to their population proportions by age, gender, ethnicity, and city. • Some percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding. 7 SAMPLE SUBGROUPS Los Angeles County Supervisorial District Sample Size SUP District 1 Mission 01125 SUP District 2 Robust sample sizes across SUP District 3 key demographic subgroups: SUP District 4 SUP District 5 Los Angeles Area LAUSD District Sample Size 265 Board District 1 55 150 Board District 2 42 152 Board District 3 31 151 Board District 4 68 Board District 5 43 Board District 6 33 Board District 7 200 Mission 02 Sample Size City of LA 404 Other 350 Unincorporated 87 8 Ethnicity SAMPLE SUBGROUPS Robust sample sizes across key demographic subgroups: Hispanic/Latino Sample Size Gender Identity Sample Size 319 Female 451 Caucasian/White 242 Male 374 African American/Black 98 Non-binary 6 Asian American PacificMission 02110 Islander Other 12 Other Parental Status Age Mission 01 13 Sample Size Under 40 356 40-54 159 55+ 328 Sample Size Parents 515 Non-parents 291 Parent of Children Under 5 168 Grandparent or Primary Caregiver 231 9 SAMPLE SUBGROUPS Party Registration Democrats 494 Definitely Vote 795 Robust sample sizes across Republicans 163 Probably / 50-50 Chance 35 Total Will Not Vote 6 Don’t Know/PNTS 7 key demographic subgroups: DTS/Other Mission 01 Sample Size Mission 02 186 Vote Propensity Sample Size 10 02 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH • PERCEPTIONS OF KEY ISSUES • ATTITUDES TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES • PARENT PRIORITIES • ELECTORAL ISSUES K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H HOMELESSNESS RANKS AS THE TOP CONCERN Homelessness Affordable Housing COVID-19/Coronavirus Q: Below is a list of issues that some people have said may be problems in Los Angeles County today. For each one, please indicate whether you think the issue is extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious, or not too serious of a problem in Los Angeles County. If you do not believe it is a problem, you may indicate that also. * (Ranked by Ext.) EXT. Very Homelessness* A lack of affordable housing* Don't Know Total Not Serious 72% 58% The impact of COVID-19 on low income families compared to wealthy families 57% The spread of coronavirus 56% * Percentages below 5% not displayed. Split sampled. SMWHT. Total Ext./Very Important 21% 27% 25% 24% Percent of Respondents 5% 10% 8% 10% 5% 8% 10% 93% 85% 82% 80% 12 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H MORE THAN 7-IN-10 IDENTIFY CHILD CARE AS A TOP ISSUE Cost of Child Care Crime & Gun Violence Lack of Funding Local Public Schools Lack of Resources/Investment In Black & Latino Communities Q: Below is a list of issues that some people have said may be problems in Los Angeles County today. For each one, please indicate whether you think the issue is extremely serious, very serious, somewhat serious, or not too serious of a problem in Los Angeles County. If you do not believe it is a problem, you may indicate that also. * (Ranked by Ext.) EXT. The cost of child care for families with young children* Crime and gun violence* Lack of funding for local public schools* Lack of resources and investment in * Black and Latino communities * Percentages below 5% not displayed. Split sampled. Very SMWHT. Don't Know 43% 42% 40% 38% Total Not Serious 28% 15% 27% 20% 29% 26% Total Ext./Very Important 13% 15% Percent of Respondents 7% 7% 11% 15% 6% 16% 71% 68% 69% 64% 13 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH CHILD CARE WORKERS AND FOOD SERVICE WORKERS ARE VIEWED AS HIGHLY ESSENTIAL BY A MAJORITY Q: During the coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19, there has been a lot of discussion about essential workers. In your opinion, how essential are the following workers when it comes to providing the public with essential services during COVID-19. Please use a scale from 0 to 10, where a “0” means “not essential” and a score of “10” means “highly essential.” * Ranked by Percent Rated “Highly Essential” Not Essential (0) Food Service Workers Child Care Workers Social Workers* Rideshare and Delivery Drivers* * Percentages below 5% not displayed. Split sampled. Total 1-4 43% DK/PNTS 5 Total 6-9 Mission 02 42% Highly Essential (10) 51% 51% 46% 44% 56% 33% Percent of Respondents 14 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH ATTITUDES TOWARD EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H MOST PERCEIVE THE QUALITY OF EARLY EDUCATION AS FAIR/POOR BELIEVE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE Q: How would you rate the quality of preschool and early childhood programs offered in your community—excellent, good, fair, or poor? Q: How easy or difficult do you believe it is for parents and families with young children to find affordable child care? Quality of Education Excellent 7% Good 22% Fair 21% Difficulty Finding Affordable Child Care Total Excellent/Good 29% Very Easy Somewhat Easy Total Easy 10% 6% 31% Somewhat Difficult Poor 13% 36% Don’t Know Don’t Know 1% Prefer Not to Say 0% * Percentages below 5% not displayed. 44% Very Difficult 20% 40% Percent of Respondents 60% 16% 0% 20% 40% 60% Percent of Respondents 16 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H RD 1/3 NEARLY OF PARENTS RATE THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AS “GOOD” Q: How would you rate the quality of preschool and early childhood programs offered in your community—excellent, good, fair, or poor? 17 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H A PLURALITY OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE Q: How easy or difficult do you believe it is for parents and families with young children to find affordable child care? 18 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H VOTERS BELIEVE ENSURING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY Q: Please indicate below if you generally agree or disagree with each of the following statements. Total Agree Total Disagree Ensuring that all families with young children have access to affordable child care is essential to economic recovery. 82% Access to quality, affordable child care is a social justice issue. 68% Parents and family members are personally responsible for providing or paying for child care for their children. Taxpayers should not pay for child care. 47% Percent of Respondents 19 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H A CLEAR MAJORITY SUPPORT GREATER INVESTMENTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE PROGRAMS Q: Do you support or oppose dedicating more public investments to ensuring that all families have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs? Strongly Support 53% Somewhat Support Total Support 80% 27% Somewhat Oppose 7% Strongly Oppose 8% Undecided Total Oppose 15% 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% Percent of Respondents 20 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H NEARLY ALL DEMOCRATS SUPPORT GREATER PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Q: Do you support or oppose dedicating more public investments to ensuring that all families have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs? 21 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H SUPPORT FOR GREATER INVESTMENTS IN CHILD CARE AND EARLY EDUCATION IS PARTICULARLY STRONG IN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2 Q: Do you support or oppose dedicating more public investments to ensuring that all families have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs? 22 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H VOTERS IN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2 OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT GREATER INVESTMENTS Q: Do you support or oppose dedicating more public investments to ensuring that all families have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs? Strongly Support 66% Somewhat Support Total Support 91% 25% Somewhat Oppose 3% Strongly Oppose 4% Undecided Total Oppose 7% 2% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Percent of Respondents 23 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H 3 IN 5 LAUSD BOARD DISTRICT 7 VOTERS SUPPORT GREATER INVESTMENTS Q: Do you support or oppose dedicating more public investments to ensuring that all families have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs? Strongly Support 47% Somewhat Support 17% Somewhat Oppose Total Oppose 31% 16% Strongly Oppose 15% Undecided Total Support 64% 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% Percent of Respondents 24 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H ENSURING FAMILIES HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE IS A TOP PRIORITY Q: Listed below are ways that additional funding for early childhood education and child care programs might be spent. For each one, please indicate how important you personally believe it is to dedicate funding to that specific purpose. (Only Top Responses Shown) Ensuring that child care providers have access to personal protective equipment 81% Ensuring that families have equal access to high quality early learning and care* 76% Ensuring that childcare providers in underserved communities have equal access to the resources they need to deliver quality care 75% Ensuring that early learning centers provide families with health, social, and emotional supports; as well as link them to community-based services and supports. * Expanding child development programs for children age 5 and under* 68% 62% Percent of Respondents 25 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY LEARNING TO BRAIN DEVELOPMENT RESONATES WITH MORE THAN 4-IN-5 Q: Below are statements that have been made by some people who support making additional public investments in early childhood education and child care programs. After each statement, please indicate if you believe the statement is convincing or not convincing as a reason to make additional public investments to ensure that all families with young children have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs. Very Conv. SMWHT. Conv. [BRAIN DEVELOPMENT] 51% Ninety percent of a child's brain develops by age five. The services and early learning opportunities a child gets sets the stage for success in kindergarten and beyond. 33% 84% [WORKFORCE VIABILITY] Parents with minor children make up almost one-third of the nation’s workforce. Recent news reports have highlighted the need for child care service for essential workers such as nurses, firefighters and grocery store employees. The lack of child care services during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some of these essential workers to lose their jobs. We must increase public investments in childcare programs to ensure families with young children have the support they need. 48% 0% 20% 32% 40% 60% 80% 80% 100% 26 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H THE ROLE EARLY LEARNING CAN PLAY IN ADDRESSING RACIAL DISPARITIES IS ALSO COMPELLING Q: Below are statements that have been made by some people who support making additional public investments in early childhood education and child care programs. After each statement, please indicate if you believe the statement is convincing or not convincing as a reason to make additional public investments to ensure that all families with young children have access to free, quality early childhood education and child care programs. Very Conv. [RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY-CHILDREN] Research shows that children who attend preschool and participate in other early learning programs are more likely to enter kindergarten ready to learn, attend college, and earn higher incomes. However, affordable child care and early learning programs are out of reach for many Latino and African American families in underserved communities. By investing in early learning programs and expanding access to free childcare, we can help close the achievement gap for Latino and African American children. 50% [RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY-CHILDCARE WORKERS] 26% 40% According to US Department of Labor statistics, 93 percent of childcare workers are women, and 45 percent are Black, Asian or Latino, while half of child care businesses are minority-owned. Investing more public dollars in early childhood education and childcare services will not only benefit parents who are struggling to make ends meet, it will also help close the wage gap and promote racial equity. 0% 20% SMWHT. Conv. 33% 40% 60% 76% 73% 80% 100% 27 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH PARENT PRIORITIES K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H A PLURALITY OF RESPONDENTS HAVE SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN Q: Do you have any children in the following age ranges: [Accept Multiple Responses]? Yes, age 0-4 20% Yes, age 5-10 13% Yes, age 11-18 Total School Aged Children 44% 11% No, but I have older children 3% No 35% PNTS 4% 0% 20% 40% Percent of Respondents 29 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H EARLY LEARNING RANKS AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR 3-IN-5 PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN Q: During the coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19, there has been a lot of discussion about essential workers. In your opinion, how essential are the following workers when it comes to providing the public with essential services during COVID-19. Please use a scale from 0 to 10, where a “0” means “not essential” and a score of “10” means “highly essential.” * 1st Priority The convenience of the location of the child care provider 12% The cost of the child care program The hours of operation offered by the child care provider * Percentages below 5% not displayed. 37% 33% The types of early learning experiences and programs offered by the provider 2nd Priority 3rd Priority 31% 31% 24% 21% 13% 59% 17% 4th Priority 15% 37% 23% 12% 14% 22% Percent of Respondents 30 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH A NOTABLE PERCENTAGE OF PARENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH DISTANCE LEARNING Q: Has your household had difficulty with any of the following this year? (Multiple Responses Accepted; Only Results Among Parents Shown) Difficulty accessing public education through distance learning A lack of enough food to eat Difficulty accessing health care services Other 31% 13% 12% 14% Percent of Respondents 31 KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH ELECTORAL ISSUES K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H NEARLY ALL ARE COMMITTED TO VOTING Q: In November there will be a statewide election for President, Congress, and state and local offices and ballot measures. What are the chances that you will vote in that election—will you definitely vote, probably vote, are the chances 50-50 that you will vote, or will you probably not vote? Definitely Vote 95% Probably Vote/50-50 Chance 4% Total Will Not vote 2% Don't Know/Undecided 1% 0% 20% 40% 60% Percent of Respondents 80% Total Will Vote 99% 100% 33 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H VOTERS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY, RACIAL JUSTICE, AND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE Q: Listed below are a few qualities that might be used to describe candidates running for local office in November. For each one, please indicate if you would be more or less likely to support a candidate fitting that description?* Much More Likely SMWHT More Likely Creating jobs and fostering economic recovery Fights for racial justice and economic opportunities for low income communities DK No Diff. SMWHT Less Likely 65% 25% 62% 19% A candidate who will fight to ensure that essential workers have access to affordable child care* 56% A candidate who will fight to ensure that all families have access to quality affordable child care* 54% 28% Supports expanding services and programs for seniors who can no longer care for themselves 54% 32% * Percentages below 5% not displayed. Split sampled. Much Less Likely 27% 5% 6% 8% 8% 6% 5% 6% 7% Percent of Respondents 34 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2 VOTERS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO FOCUS ON CHILD CARE Q: Listed below are a few qualities that might be used to describe candidates running for local office in November. For each one, please indicate if you would be more or less likely to support a candidate fitting that description?* LAUSD District 7 Total Board of Supervisors District 2 Creating jobs and fostering economic recovery 65% 61% 68% Fights for racial justice and economic opportunities for low income communities 62% 71% 50% A candidate who will fight to ensure that essential workers have access to affordable child care 56% 61% 49% A candidate who will fight to ensure that all families have access to quality affordable child care 54% 69% 52% Supports expanding services and programs for seniors who can no longer care for themselves 54% 60% 53% 35 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT 2 VOTERS ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO FOCUS ON RACIAL JUSTICE AND CHILD Q: Listed below are a few qualities that might be used to describe candidates running for local office in November. For each one, please indicate if you would be CARE more or less likely to support a candidate fitting that description?* Total Board of Supervisors District 2 Creating jobs and fostering economic recovery 65% 61% Fights for racial justice and economic opportunities for low income communities 62% 71% A candidate who will fight to ensure that essential workers have access to affordable child care 56% 61% A candidate who will fight to ensure that all families have access to quality affordable child care 54% 69% Supports expanding services and programs for seniors who can no longer care for themselves 54% 60% 36 K E Y F IN D IN GS OF T H E R E S E A R C H LAUSD BOARD DISTRICT 7 VOTERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO PRIORITIZE JOBS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO CHILD CARE AND SENIOR SERVICES Q: Listed below are a few qualities that might be used to describe candidates running for local office in November. For each one, please indicate if you would be more or less likely to support a candidate fitting that description?* Total LAUSD District 7 Creating jobs and fostering economic recovery 65% 68% Fights for racial justice and economic opportunities for low income communities 62% 50% A candidate who will fight to ensure that essential workers have access to affordable child care 56% 49% A candidate who will fight to ensure that all families have access to quality affordable child care 54% 52% Supports expanding services and programs for seniors who can no longer care for themselves 54% 53% 37 CONCLUSIONS Los Angeles County voters place a high priority on issues related to early learning and child care for young children. • 82% believe that access to child care is essential to economic recovery and a majority believe childcare workers are “highly essential.” 03 • 76% believe it is “extremely important” to ensure that all families have access to child care and early learning opportunities for their children. • 80% support additional public investments in early learning and child care to accomplish this goal. • 78% are “more” likely to support a candidate who prioritizes these issues. • 68% see access to early learning and child care for young children as a social justice issue. Voters identify the importance of early learning to a child’s brain development and the implications for advancing racial justice and equity in Los Angeles County as highly compelling reasons to support greater public investments in these key areas. 38 THANK YOU