GITNUX REPORT 2024

Daycare Statistics: Child Care Industry Trends and Financial Implications

Exploring Daycare Statistics: 76% of kids in care, $11,896 average cost, 1.5m workers, $54b industry.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

About 51% of families report difficulty finding child care

Statistic 2

Only 8% of child care centers offer care during non-standard hours

Statistic 3

About 20% of child care centers have waiting lists of 6 months or longer

Statistic 4

Approximately 15% of family child care providers offer care during non-standard hours

Statistic 5

Approximately 24% of child care centers offer transportation services

Statistic 6

About 45% of child care centers offer part-time care options

Statistic 7

About 48% of child care centers offer before and after school care

Statistic 8

Approximately 22% of child care centers offer care for children with special needs

Statistic 9

Approximately 37% of child care centers offer summer programs

Statistic 10

The average cost of center-based daycare in the U.S. is $11,896 per year

Statistic 11

The average weekly child care expenses for families with working mothers is $143

Statistic 12

The average annual cost of infant care in Massachusetts is $20,913

Statistic 13

About 51% of child care providers offer some form of financial assistance

Statistic 14

The average annual cost of child care for two children in the U.S. is $20,913

Statistic 15

The average annual cost of center-based infant care in Washington D.C. is $24,243

Statistic 16

The average annual cost of child care for an infant in California is $16,945

Statistic 17

The average child care subsidy covers only 60% of the market rate for infant care

Statistic 18

About 51% of child care centers offer a discount for siblings

Statistic 19

The average annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old in New York is $12,064

Statistic 20

The average annual cost of child care for an infant in Mississippi is $5,436

Statistic 21

The child care industry employs about 1.5 million workers

Statistic 22

The median hourly wage for childcare workers is $12.24

Statistic 23

The average annual turnover rate for child care staff is 30%

Statistic 24

About 28% of family child care providers have a college degree

Statistic 25

About 18% of family child care providers have been in business for more than 20 years

Statistic 26

The average child care center director salary is $47,940

Statistic 27

Approximately 2.3 million child care workers are needed to meet demand

Statistic 28

The average child care teacher has 10 years of experience

Statistic 29

About 41% of child care centers offer health insurance to full-time staff

Statistic 30

Approximately 32% of family child care providers have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

Statistic 31

About 57% of child care centers offer employee benefits

Statistic 32

Approximately 28% of family child care providers have been in business for less than 5 years

Statistic 33

The average annual turnover rate for child care center directors is 15%

Statistic 34

Approximately 38% of child care workers have some college education

Statistic 35

Approximately 25% of family child care providers have a bachelor's degree or higher

Statistic 36

76% of children aged 3-5 are in some form of childcare

Statistic 37

63% of children under age 5 are in some type of regular childcare arrangement

Statistic 38

About 33% of children under 5 with employed mothers are in center-based care

Statistic 39

Approximately 1 in 8 children under 5 attend a childcare center

Statistic 40

About 39% of children in childcare are in relative care

Statistic 41

Approximately 12.5 million children under age 6 are in some form of child care

Statistic 42

About 60% of children under 5 with employed mothers are in nonparental care

Statistic 43

About 53% of infants and toddlers are in home-based child care

Statistic 44

About 24% of children under 5 are in multiple child care arrangements

Statistic 45

About 62% of children aged 3-5 in center-based care receive at least 30 hours of care per week

Statistic 46

About 33% of children in center-based care are from low-income families

Statistic 47

The child care industry has an annual revenue of $54 billion

Statistic 48

There are approximately 856,238 child care facilities in the U.S.

Statistic 49

About 24% of organized childcare centers are for-profit

Statistic 50

The child care industry has grown by 1.5% annually from 2015 to 2020

Statistic 51

The average capacity of a child care center is 76 children

Statistic 52

The child care industry has an annual growth rate of 2.1%

Statistic 53

The average child care center has been in operation for 14 years

Statistic 54

The average family child care provider cares for 6 children

Statistic 55

The average child-to-staff ratio in daycare centers is 8:1

Statistic 56

Only 10% of childcare centers in the U.S. are accredited

Statistic 57

Approximately 94% of child care centers are licensed

Statistic 58

The average group size in center-based care for 3-5 year olds is 17 children

Statistic 59

Approximately 18% of child care centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Statistic 60

About 71% of child care centers use a curriculum

Statistic 61

The average child-to-staff ratio in family child care homes is 6:1

Statistic 62

About 65% of child care centers use developmental assessments

Statistic 63

About 54% of child care centers have a written emergency preparedness plan

Statistic 64

Approximately 18% of child care centers offer bilingual or language immersion programs

Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges

Summary

  • 76% of children aged 3-5 are in some form of childcare
  • The average cost of center-based daycare in the U.S. is $11,896 per year
  • 63% of children under age 5 are in some type of regular childcare arrangement
  • About 33% of children under 5 with employed mothers are in center-based care
  • The child care industry has an annual revenue of $54 billion
  • There are approximately 856,238 child care facilities in the U.S.
  • The child care industry employs about 1.5 million workers
  • The median hourly wage for childcare workers is $12.24
  • About 24% of organized childcare centers are for-profit
  • Approximately 1 in 8 children under 5 attend a childcare center
  • The average child-to-staff ratio in daycare centers is 8:1
  • About 39% of children in childcare are in relative care
  • The average annual turnover rate for child care staff is 30%
  • Only 10% of childcare centers in the U.S. are accredited
  • About 51% of families report difficulty finding child care

Hold onto your juice boxes, folks, because were diving into the wild world of daycare statistics! Did you know that 76% of 3-5-year-olds are living that daycare life, all while the child care industry rakes in a whopping $54 billion annually? From the average cost of center-based care to the turnover rates thatll make your head spin, were strapping in for a rollercoaster ride through the world of sippy cups and snack times. So, grab your favorite blankie and get ready to crunch the numbers on just how many crayons kindergartners can go through in a year – spoiler alert: its a lot!

Accessibility

  • About 51% of families report difficulty finding child care
  • Only 8% of child care centers offer care during non-standard hours
  • About 20% of child care centers have waiting lists of 6 months or longer
  • Approximately 15% of family child care providers offer care during non-standard hours
  • Approximately 24% of child care centers offer transportation services
  • About 45% of child care centers offer part-time care options
  • About 48% of child care centers offer before and after school care
  • Approximately 22% of child care centers offer care for children with special needs
  • Approximately 37% of child care centers offer summer programs

Interpretation

In a world where parents juggle work, life, and the delicate art of finding reliable child care, the struggle is real. With the odds stacked against them, it's no wonder why 51% of families report difficulty in their quest for the perfect care provider. From limited non-standard hour options to waiting lists longer than the latest Netflix series, the challenges are as plentiful as the options are scarce. In this chaotic landscape, where only 24% offer transportation services, 45% offer part-time care, and 37% offer summer programs, parents navigate a maze of choices hoping to find that elusive gem in the rough. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, except this needle is responsible for the most precious and delicate of threads - our children's well-being.

Cost

  • The average cost of center-based daycare in the U.S. is $11,896 per year
  • The average weekly child care expenses for families with working mothers is $143
  • The average annual cost of infant care in Massachusetts is $20,913
  • About 51% of child care providers offer some form of financial assistance
  • The average annual cost of child care for two children in the U.S. is $20,913
  • The average annual cost of center-based infant care in Washington D.C. is $24,243
  • The average annual cost of child care for an infant in California is $16,945
  • The average child care subsidy covers only 60% of the market rate for infant care
  • About 51% of child care centers offer a discount for siblings
  • The average annual cost of child care for a 4-year-old in New York is $12,064
  • The average annual cost of child care for an infant in Mississippi is $5,436

Interpretation

In the enchanting land of daycare costs, where numbers dance and wallets tremble, the statistics paint a vivid picture of financial acrobatics for working families. From the whimsical melody of $143 weekly expenses to the dramatic crescendo of $24,243 for infant care in Washington D.C., the average costs twirl and tumble like circus performers on a tightrope of budgeting woes. With only 51% of child care providers offering financial assistance, and subsidies covering a mere 60% of the soaring market rates, the reality of balancing work and childcare becomes a juggling act of epic proportions. Siblings may find solace in discounts, yet the average cost of nurturing a 4-year-old in New York can still leave parents gasping for fiscal air. In this whimsical but unyielding tale of numbers and needs, the saga of daycare expenses unfolds, reminding us that in the circus of life, financial acumen is the greatest of balancing acts.

Employment

  • The child care industry employs about 1.5 million workers
  • The median hourly wage for childcare workers is $12.24
  • The average annual turnover rate for child care staff is 30%
  • About 28% of family child care providers have a college degree
  • About 18% of family child care providers have been in business for more than 20 years
  • The average child care center director salary is $47,940
  • Approximately 2.3 million child care workers are needed to meet demand
  • The average child care teacher has 10 years of experience
  • About 41% of child care centers offer health insurance to full-time staff
  • Approximately 32% of family child care providers have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
  • About 57% of child care centers offer employee benefits
  • Approximately 28% of family child care providers have been in business for less than 5 years
  • The average annual turnover rate for child care center directors is 15%
  • Approximately 38% of child care workers have some college education
  • Approximately 25% of family child care providers have a bachelor's degree or higher

Interpretation

The statistics paint a complex and revealing picture of the child care industry - a vital sector often undervalued and underpaid. With a median hourly wage of $12.24 and a high turnover rate, it's clear that many child care workers face economic challenges despite their crucial role in society. The disparities in education levels and experience among providers underscore the need for better support and recognition for those dedicated to nurturing our youngest generation. As demand for child care workers continues to grow, it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being and professional development of these essential workers through fair wages, training opportunities, and benefits.

Enrollment

  • 76% of children aged 3-5 are in some form of childcare
  • 63% of children under age 5 are in some type of regular childcare arrangement
  • About 33% of children under 5 with employed mothers are in center-based care
  • Approximately 1 in 8 children under 5 attend a childcare center
  • About 39% of children in childcare are in relative care
  • Approximately 12.5 million children under age 6 are in some form of child care
  • About 60% of children under 5 with employed mothers are in nonparental care
  • About 53% of infants and toddlers are in home-based child care
  • About 24% of children under 5 are in multiple child care arrangements
  • About 62% of children aged 3-5 in center-based care receive at least 30 hours of care per week
  • About 33% of children in center-based care are from low-income families

Interpretation

In a world where playgrounds are the new boardrooms and nap time is considered power napping, it seems that the toddler workforce is taking over. With 76% of children aged 3-5 clocking in some serious childcare hours, it's clear that the future CEOs and CFOs are already honing their social skills in center-based care. From the savvy 33% of children under 5 from employed mothers managing their schedules to the 39% living the dream in relative care, it's a daycare jungle out there. So, as the next generation of tiny tycoons navigate the playground politics and snack time negotiations, remember, behind every successful adult is a well-kept daycare attendance record.

Industry

  • The child care industry has an annual revenue of $54 billion
  • There are approximately 856,238 child care facilities in the U.S.
  • About 24% of organized childcare centers are for-profit
  • The child care industry has grown by 1.5% annually from 2015 to 2020
  • The average capacity of a child care center is 76 children
  • The child care industry has an annual growth rate of 2.1%
  • The average child care center has been in operation for 14 years
  • The average family child care provider cares for 6 children

Interpretation

In a world where toddlers reign supreme and crayons are the currency of choice, the daycare industry stands as a $54 billion fortress of chaos and cuddles. With over 850,000 child care facilities scattered across the land, it's clear that the demand for tiny tot-taming is at an all-time high. And who knew that 24% of these organized havens are profiting from poop-scooping and pacifier diplomacy? With an annual growth rate that puts even the most ambitious toddler's development to shame, it's safe to say that the daycare game is strong. So next time you hear the pitter-patter of little feet, just remember: behind every successful daycare is a tired but triumphant provider, armed with snacks and love in equal measure.

Quality

  • The average child-to-staff ratio in daycare centers is 8:1
  • Only 10% of childcare centers in the U.S. are accredited
  • Approximately 94% of child care centers are licensed
  • The average group size in center-based care for 3-5 year olds is 17 children
  • Approximately 18% of child care centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • About 71% of child care centers use a curriculum
  • The average child-to-staff ratio in family child care homes is 6:1
  • About 65% of child care centers use developmental assessments
  • About 54% of child care centers have a written emergency preparedness plan
  • Approximately 18% of child care centers offer bilingual or language immersion programs

Interpretation

In the colorful world of daycare statistics, numbers tell intriguing tales of care and chaos. With child-to-staff ratios dancing at 8:1, one can envision a symphony of giggles and chaos intertwining. While only a mere 10% of childcare centers boast accreditation, it seems the pursuit of excellence is a rare gem to treasure. Licensed at a robust 94%, these centers strive for legality, if not always laurels. As 17 little adventurers navigate the center-based care landscape, it's a wonder that only 18% find the NAEYC's golden seal. With emergency plans written for 54% of centers, the ship is somewhat steady amidst the storm. And who knew that a bilingual oasis bloomed in a mere 18% of centers, a hidden treasure for the tiny linguists among us. In this jungle of numbers and nurturers, the magic of childhood continues its rambunctious dance.

References