In 2001, 50 percent of children in kindergarten through 8th grade were enrolled in a variety of nonparental care arrangements after school. Black children were more likely than White and Hispanic children to participate in nonparental care.

Some parents care for their children after school while other parents rely on nonparental care. Parents who do not supervise their children after school typically find an adult to care for them, find a formal after-school program, or allow the children to care for themselves. This indicator examines five types of nonparental care after school: relative care, nonrelative care, center- or school-based programs, activities for supervision, and self-care (i.e., children care for themselves).¹

In 2001, half of the children in grades K–8 were under their parents’ care after school, while the other half received nonparental care. Among those receiving nonparental care, the most common arrangements were center- or school-based programs (19 percent), relative care (17 percent), and self-care (13 percent). Fewer children were in the care of a nonrelative (6 percent) or in activities for supervision (7 percent) after school (see table 33-1).

Younger children (grades K–2) were more likely than older ones (grades 6–8) to be in the care of a relative, nonrelative, or in a center- or school-based program and were less likely than the older children to care for themselves or to participate in activities for supervision during out-of-school time. Differences existed across racial/ethnic groups as well: Black children were more likely than White and Hispanic children to participate in nonparental care and to be in each type of nonparental care except nonrelative care.

Parents of 19 percent of children paid a fee for their children’s relative care arrangements, and parents of 72 percent of children paid a fee for their children’s nonrelative care (see table 33-2). Parents of 58 percent of children reported a fee for their children’s center- or school-based programs. On average, the cost per hour for nonrelative care ($7.90) was higher than that for both relative care ($5.60) as well as center- or school-based programs ($5.60).

¹Activities for supervision include extracurricular activities such as sports, arts, and clubs that are not associated with center- or school-based arrangements. Parents may use such activities to provide children with adult supervision (nonparental care). Similar activities can also be undertaken because of children’s personal interest and enjoyment and not for the purpose of adult supervision. Please note that estimates have been revised from previously published data. (back to text)