When 14-month-old Beckham Ryan catches sight of one of his grandmothers or his babysitter on the workdays they care for him, he can’t get to them fast enough for one of his many daily hugs.

His mother, Jilia Ryan, jokes, “Sometimes I think he loves them more than me.”

It’s a familiar scene for many Butler County families. According to U.S. Census data, roughly 75% of children under age 6 live in families where both parents in the household work, making child care part of daily life for most young families.

For some, that means enrolling in a day care center. For others, it means counting on relatives, a babysitter or piecing together schedules week by week.

Jilia Ryan and her husband, Chad, wrestled with the decision while she was pregnant with Beckham and ultimately decided against sending him to a day care facility.

“We just felt better having him with people he already knew and loved,” Jilia Ryan said.

She said they ultimately decided on a “village” to help them — her mother-in-law, her mother and their babysitter.

One member of their village is Chad’s mother, Sue Ryan, who cares for Beckham on Mondays and Fridays. She saved many of Chad and his brother’s toys from their childhood and loves seeing her grandson enjoy their cars, hobby horse and other toys.

Sue Ryan said it is a “nostalgic” time in her life, and she handles the daily child care routine differently than when she was a stay-at-home mother of two sons. She said she appreciates this time in her life and doesn’t worry about chores or anything but spending the time with him.

“I want to watch him every minute, because I know how fast the time goes,” she said.

Beckham’s two other caregivers are Jilia’s mother, Krista Wolbert, and a babysitter.

While many families rely on relatives, others turn to local child care centers that have become an extension of home for generations of children.

Mary Jo Coleman has owned and directed the Educational Child Care Center on West Brady Street in Butler for 17 years. The center provides early development through structured learning and playtime for children ages 13 months to 5 years, including her own children, who are now long past preschool.

Coleman is a firm believer in day care and believes child care centers offer more than supervision, supporting children’s social, emotional and cognitive development.

The center, which employs two caregivers in addition to Coleman, cares for a maximum of 15 children each day. Currently, it is currently booked through August. Coleman said she would like to welcome more families, but she is limited by staffing.

“Low pay and a lack of benefits keep people from applying,” she said.

A typical day includes breakfast, lunch and snacks; free play; skill building according to age; and time for stories and books. When the weather allows, children take daily walks and the outdoor play yard helps develop gross motor skills.

The children rest or nap between 1 and 3 p.m.

Coleman laughed when asked if the children cooperate at nap time. “A mother told me her child doesn’t nap, but she naps here,” she said.

Coleman understands that many Butler County families prefer grandparents for care.

“I know that families love having family sitters and that is great, but some time in school is very important too,” she said.

For some parents, structured learning in a classroom feels right. For others, there’s no substitute for grandma. In Butler County, both approaches are helping children grow.