Abstract

‍This is the third in a series of five reports that together use the Growing Up in New Zealandlongitudinal survey data to explore how the inability to access affordable childcare affects thelong run labour market outcomes of mothers. This report investigates how the use of andsatisfaction with childcare differ for families with different characteristics. Particular focuses areethnic differences and differences by whether the family previously had issues with access tochildcare. We find strong ethnic differences in the use of childcare at 2 years and 54 months,with Māori and Pasifika being less likely than Europeans to use regular childcare, but using it formore hours each week. Non-European families tend to be less satisfied with their childcareexperiences even after controlling for parental characteristics, which may indicate a childcaresystem that caters preferentially to the European majority. Families that previously had accessissues have lower average socioeconomic status, which is reflected in their childcareexperiences, but not all the differences in their childcare experiences can be explained by theirbackground characteristics. This suggests the unseen factors that led to their access issues mayaffect their childcare even after the access issues appear resolved.

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‍Suggested citation

Sin, I. (2022). How do childcare experiences differ by ethnicity and for families with previous childcare access issues? Motu Economic and Public Policy Research. https://www.motu.nz/assets/Uploads/Use-of-childcare-after-access-issues-note-FINAL.pdf

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