Factors affecting enrollment of children with disabilities in child care and early education programs: A mixed methods study of Arkansas center-based programs

Abstract

Children with disabilities experience various barriers to accessing child care and early education despite federal legislation that supports their inclusion in early care programs. This secondary analysis of mixed methods data explores factors that influence enrollment of children with disabilities from the perspective of licensed, center-based early childhood providers in Arkansas. Using survey data from 463 providers, we examined features of centers and their communities associated with child care and early education access for children with disabilities in Arkansas, finding that various features were related to serving and not serving children with disabilities. Additionally, we conducted a thematic analysis of interviews with 35 providers, finding that disability diagnosis, state and program policies, demand, confidence in staff and access to training, and referrals were important to providers’ decision-making process of enrolling children with disabilities. Integrated quantitative and qualitative results have implications for state policies that could increase enrollment of children with disabilities into early childhood programs.