ARRANGING CHILD-CARE

More than half of the children in families supported by welfare are un der age six, and another third are in grade school. The mothers of the se children cannot leave welfare for employment unless they can find a nd pay for child care. Yet, as this article points out, the child care needs of these families are not easily met: Many require care for inf ants and toddlers, care at odd hours, and care in poor neighborhoods-a ll of which are scarce. Evidence reviewed by the authors indicates tha t problems with child care affordability, availability, and quality im pede mothers from participating in the labor force and in job training programs. Recent public funding for child care subsidies has helped f amilies leaving welfare to afford the child care they need, although t he demand for financial assistance outstrips available funding. This a rticle urges that policymakers work to facilitate access to subsidies, increase the supply of care that can meet the needs of poor working f amilies, and guard against exposure to poor-quality care that can jeop ardize both children's well-being and parents' employment.