Understanding Latina Mothers' Ideologies and Decision-Making processes in Early Childhood Care and Education

To understand how Latina mothers choose childcare, I conducted a qualitative study of 42 Latina mothers in Southern California with children 5 years of age or younger. Prior research has used a rational choice theory to explain mothers' choices of childcare. Research has found that mothers' work status, educational level, level of acculturation, household composition, income level, and neighborhood resources play an important role in how mothers choose childcare for their children (Yesil-Dagli, 2011). A descriptive analysis based on these six factors is presented in the study. In order to capture a more in-depth understanding of Latina mothers' choices of childcare it is important to understand their ideologies. A "funds of knowledge" approach (Moll, 1992) was used to understand Latina mothers' ideologies. This approach will capture Latina mothers' experiences, practices, and social networks that influence their childcare choices. By using a funds of knowledge approach this study found that the Latina mothers' choices of childcare are complex and rooted in their upbringing and current situations. Unlike prior studies, this study found that work status did not determine Latina mothers' choices of childcare but rather they first decided what type of childcare they wanted for their children and then based on that decision their work status was determined. The Latina mothers in this study preferred to either stay home and care for their infants and toddlers or have a relative care for their infants and toddlers. This differed from the type of care they wanted for their preschool aged children. For preschool, they wanted a combination of care which involved themselves, or a relative, and a preschool center where their children could have an early education and socialize with other children. The mothers looked for five factors when choosing a preschool for their children: safety, trusting and loving staff, parents welcomed, strong curriculum, and a small student to teacher ratio. The results of this study can inform policy makers and service providers related to assisting Latina mothers as they make decisions about childcare.