Head Start and Early Head Start programs served 7.3 million preschool children in the U.S. last year. Meanwhile, the median hourly wage for preschool teachers was $16.05 while child care costs rose 6.3% in a single year. These statistics illustrate the industry's scale and its persistent pressures on both workforce pay and family affordability.
Key Takeaways
- 7.3 million preschool children were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 2023.
- 52% of children ages 3-4 in the U.S. were enrolled in school/preschool in 2022, according to OECD Family Database (indicator: 'Enrolment of children in early childhood education').
- 1.7 million children were served by federally funded Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) in the U.S. for 2019, per ACF CCDF data.
- $16.05 was the median hourly wage for preschool teachers in the U.S. in 2023, per BLS OES.
- $28,210 was the median annual pay for childcare workers (including preschool childcare roles) in the U.S. in 2023, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
- 3.0% annual growth was projected for preschool teachers employment in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032, according to BLS Occupational Outlook.
- A 2024 McKinsey Global Institute survey found 75% of organizations expect AI to impact at least one business function in the next 12 months; this is relevant to preschool operators adopting AI-enabled admin tools for enrollment and billing.
- In 2023, 78% of U.S. child care providers reported that they had adopted some form of electronic communication with parents, per a survey commissioned by the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center.
- $250 billion was the estimated global market for childcare and early education services in 2022, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights on childcare services markets.
- $9.0 billion in federal preschool funding was appropriated in the U.S. for FY2024 through Head Start and related early childhood accounts, per the U.S. Congressional Research Service compilation.
- 2.4 million children were enrolled in publicly funded early childhood education in Canada in 2023 (age 3-5), per OECD/UIS education statistics dataset figures (download table).
- Child care costs in the U.S. increased by 6.3% in 2022, as measured by CPI-U 'child care' category inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- In the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that families spend about $211 per week on childcare on average (including out-of-pocket childcare costs) in 2022 dollars in its survey-based child care cost materials.
- In 2023, the median annual cost of full-day preschool for 4-year-olds in the U.S. was $9,410 at public schools and $12,000 at private schools, based on NCES Education Demographic and data compilation.
- The WWC (What Works Clearinghouse) practice guide reports that high-quality preschool participation improves long-term academic outcomes for many children.
With millions served, preschool and child care boost outcomes while costs rise, driving faster digital enrollment.
Related reading
01 · Category
Enrollment4 stats
01
7.3 million preschool children were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 2023.
02
52% of children ages 3-4 in the U.S. were enrolled in school/preschool in 2022, according to OECD Family Database (indicator: 'Enrolment of children in early childhood education').
03
1.7 million children were served by federally funded Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) in the U.S. for 2019, per ACF CCDF data.
04
10.3 million children were enrolled in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in the EU-27 in 2022 (ages 3-5), per Eurostat (ilc_lvps25).
Interpretation
Enrollment Interpretation
For enrollment in preschool and related early childhood programs, the figures show wide participation across systems, with 7.3 million children in Head Start and Early Head Start in 2023, 52% of US 3 to 4 year olds enrolled in 2022, and 10.3 million children in EU-27 ECEC settings in 2022, highlighting that enrollment varies by country but remains a major demand area for early education.
02 · Category
Workforce5 stats
01
$16.05was the median hourly wage for preschool teachers in the U.S. in 2023, per BLS OES.
02
$28,210was the median annual pay for childcare workers (including preschool childcare roles) in the U.S. in 2023, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
03
3.0% annual growth was projected for preschool teachers employment in the U.S. from 2022 to 2032, according to BLS Occupational Outlook.
04
U.S. preschool special education teachers had a median annual wage of US$61,730in 2023, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for special education teachers (kindergarten/elementary).
05
U.S. child care center directors had a median annual wage of US$53,910in 2023, per BLS OES for Childcare center directors.
Interpretation
Workforce Interpretation
Workforce data for U.S. preschool shows pay remains modest and growth is steady, with the median hourly wage for preschool teachers at $16.05 in 2023 and employment projected to rise by 3.0% from 2022 to 2032, even as related roles like childcare workers averaged $28,210 annually and center directors earned a higher $53,910.
03 · Category
Industry Trends2 stats
01
A 2024 McKinsey Global Institute survey found 75% of organizations expect AI to impact at least one business function in the next 12 months; this is relevant to preschool operators adopting AI-enabled admin tools for enrollment and billing.
02
In 2023, 78% of U.S. child care providers reported that they had adopted some form of electronic communication with parents, per a survey commissioned by the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center.
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry trends in preschool are accelerating with technology adoption, as 75% of organizations expect AI to affect at least one business function within 12 months and 78% of U.S. child care providers already use electronic communication with parents.
04 · Category
Market Size3 stats
01
$250 billion was the estimated global market for childcare and early education services in 2022, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights on childcare services markets.
02
$9.0 billion in federal preschool funding was appropriated in the U.S. for FY2024 through Head Start and related early childhood accounts, per the U.S. Congressional Research Service compilation.
03
2.4 million children were enrolled in publicly funded early childhood education in Canada in 2023 (age 3-5), per OECD/UIS education statistics dataset figures (download table).
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
The market size signals strong global and national momentum for preschool services, with 2022 global childcare and early education reaching about $250 billion and the U.S. allocating $9.0 billion in federal preschool funding for FY2024, alongside Canada’s 2.4 million children enrolled in publicly funded early childhood education in 2023.
More related reading
05 · Category
Cost Analysis7 stats
01
Child care costs in the U.S. increased by 6.3% in 2022, as measured by CPI-U 'child care' category inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
02
In the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that families spend about $211per week on childcare on average (including out-of-pocket childcare costs) in 2022 dollars in its survey-based child care cost materials.
03
In 2023, the median annual cost of full-day preschool for 4-year-olds in the U.S. was $9,410at public schools and $12,000 at private schools, based on NCES Education Demographic and data compilation.
04
U.S. preschool and child care center consumer prices increased by 6.3% in 2022 (CPI-U category 'child care'), per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data release.
05
U.S. state pre-K per-pupil expenditures averaged US$8,880in FY2022, per National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) State of Preschool Yearbook.
06
The U.S. Head Start program’s average cost per child in 2023 was US$8,254,per HHS Head Start Program Information Report (PIR) summary tables.
07
EU countries spent an average of €3,700 per child for early childhood education (ISCED 02) in 2021, per OECD Education Spending indicators compiled from official sources.
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Preschool and child care costs are rising across the U.S. as 2022 prices increased 6.3% and 2023 full-day preschool for 4-year-olds averaged $9,410 in public and $12,000 in private programs, making affordability a central Cost Analysis challenge.
06 · Category
Performance Metrics8 stats
01
The WWC (What Works Clearinghouse) practice guide reports that high-quality preschool participation improves long-term academic outcomes for many children.
02
A meta-analysis in Psychological Science reported that early childhood education programs produce effect sizes around d=0.30 on cognitive outcomes.
03
A 2017 JAMA Pediatrics cohort study found that attending preschool was associated with reduced risk of grade retention, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.86 for grade retention.
04
A CDC report on developmental screening in early childhood indicates 66.5% of children aged 3-5 had received developmental screening in 2019.
05
In the U.S. Head Start Impact Study (2010), Head Start had impacts that reduced grade retention and increased academic readiness; the report quantifies effects on literacy and math scores (effect sizes ranging roughly 0.1–0.2).
06
Head Start participants showed improved school readiness compared to control groups with statistically significant impacts in several literacy and math measures in the Head Start Impact Study (2007-2012).
07
The student-teacher ratio in Head Start programs averaged 17:1 for the 2023 program year (enrollment-weighted ratio), per Head Start Program Information Report (PIR).
08
Head Start required a teacher-child ratio of 1 teacher to 10.5 children for 3- and 4-year-olds (center-based), per Head Start Program Performance Standards.
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Performance metrics consistently show measurable benefits from early preschool and Head Start participation, including effect sizes around d=0.30 for cognitive outcomes and reductions in risks like grade retention, while developmental screening coverage reaches 66.5% among children aged 3 to 5, reinforcing that high quality early learning is linked to both short term readiness and long term academic progress.
07 · Category
User Adoption4 stats
01
In a 2022 survey, 67% of child care centers reported using some form of digital enrollment or waitlist system, according to data collected and reported by Child Care Aware and partners.
02
In a 2023 survey of childcare operators, 54% reported adopting tuition/billing automation tools to reduce administrative time.
03
In 2023, 62% of U.S. parents used digital tools to manage childcare arrangements (enrollment forms, payments, updates), per a consumer survey by Pew Research Center.
04
In 2023, the share of global consumers using mobile payments was 57%, according to World Bank Global Findex; this supports adoption of digital tuition/payment methods by preschool providers.
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
Preschool childcare is clearly embracing digital workflows, with 67% of centers using digital enrollment or waitlists and 62% of parents using digital tools in 2023, showing that user adoption is shifting steadily toward online enrollment, payments, and updates.
08 · Category
Enrollment & Coverage4 stats
01
93% of states reported using or developing kindergarten entry assessments in 2023, per National Center for Education Statistics (Digest table compiling state survey results).
02
In the U.S., 36% of 3-year-olds and 53% of 4-year-olds were enrolled in school in 2023, per NCES Early Childhood Education and Care participation estimates.
03
In the EU, 86% of children ages 3-5 were enrolled in education in 2022, per Eurostat participation data (edat_lfse_14).
04
In OECD countries, 76% of children ages 3-5 were enrolled in early childhood education in 2022 on average, per OECD Education at a Glance 2023 (indicator table).
Interpretation
Enrollment & Coverage Interpretation
Enrollment and coverage for preschool and early learning are strong but uneven, with 86% of 3 to 5 year olds enrolled in the EU in 2022 and an average of 76% across OECD countries, compared with the United States where only 36% of 3 year olds and 53% of 4 year olds were enrolled in 2023.
report visual · Comparison
Preschool access and program reach (latest available)
Across major systems—U.S. Head Start, international enrollment, and EU participation—early childhood coverage varies by program and region.
In the EU, 86% of children ages 3-5 were enrolled in education in 2022, per Eurostat participation data (edat_lfse_14).86%
In OECD countries, 76% of children ages 3-5 were enrolled in early childhood education in 2022 on average, per OECD Educ
76%
In the U.S., 36% of 3-year-olds and 53% of 4-year-olds were enrolled in school in 2023, per NCES Early Childhood Educati
36%
7.3 million preschool children were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 2023.
7.3
source-verifiedacf.hhs.gov · ec.europa.eu · oecd.org · nces.ed.gov2023
Reference
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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Preschool Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/preschool-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Preschool Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/preschool-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Preschool Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/preschool-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
37 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+16 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)