Macro-structural predictors of Australian family day care quality

INTRODUCTION: This study explores the predictive power of macro-structural characteristics on quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) outcomes of Family Day Care (FDC) services in Australia. METHODS: The dataset consisted of 441 FDC National Quality Standard (NQS) ratings from all Australian states and territories, with overall ratings of Exceeding NQS, Meeting NQS, Working Towards NQS, or Significant Improvement Required. RESULTS: Multinomial logistic regressions confirmed that management type, community socioeconomic status (SES), level of urbanization, and government jurisdiction explained 6.9 to 19.3% of the variation in QRIS outcomes. Results indicated that lower FDC NQS ratings were more likely for (1) private for-profit vs. not-for-profit; (2) low-SES vs. high-SES area; and (3) regional or remote area vs. metropolitan. State/territory jurisdiction also influenced NQS ratings. DISCUSSION: These findings imply the need for policy attention to inequalities in FDC quality associated with systemic and organizational differences. Greater effort is needed to promote equality and equity in FDC services.