Title

Pilot Study: The Need for Quality Child Care in Wake County, North Carolina

Author

Nicol Frewerd, Concordia University, St. Paul

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Non Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Education

Department

Education

Program

Early Childhood Education

Capstone Instructor

Carmen Cook

Second Reader

Lynn Gehrke

Keywords

early childhood education, case study

Abstract

The purpose of this capstone paper is to determine the need for a high-quality child development center in the rapidly developing area of Apex, North Carolina, which is located in the County of Wake. A high quality center is defined, for the purpose of this study, as one that has, at its core, a strong partnership with parents. This writer will conduct a pilot study by surveying parents in the Wake County area. Wake County's current population is approximately 610, 284. The town of Apex is well positioned for future growth. Its population of 21,697 is projected to more than double within the next eight to ten years; between 1990 and 1997, the population increased by 143. 7 percent. There are currently 23 different childcare arrangements for parents in Apex. There are five centers but only one of them has been determined to be of high quality. There are roughly 2,350 children under the age of five living in Apex, approximately 70% of them participate in a child development program outside of their home.

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