Responsible use

Disclaimer & Responsible Use

PlainChildcare makes public Department of Labor childcare-price data easier to read and compare. It is not financial, tax, or childcare-placement advice, and it does not tell you what a specific provider will charge. Use it as a starting point for your own research.

PlainChildcare is a free informational resource that makes public U.S. Department of Labor childcare-price data easier to read. It is not financial, tax, legal, or childcare-placement advice, and it does not certify what any family will pay for care. Use it as a starting point for your own research, not as the final word on a budget, a provider quote, or a subsidy decision.

Informational only, not professional advice

Nothing on PlainChildcare constitutes financial, tax, legal, or childcare-placement advice, and using the site does not create any professional relationship. Decisions about choosing care, returning to work, or budgeting for a child can have real financial consequences. For guidance on your situation, consult a qualified financial professional and your state's Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency, which can confirm licensed providers, current prices, and subsidy eligibility in your area.

What the numbers are, and are not

The figures on PlainChildcare are survey-based estimates from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, aggregated to the county level — not a quote from any provider and not what your family will actually pay. A county price is a median across many providers and settings; real tuition varies widely within a county based on the provider's quality rating (QRIS), accreditation, location, hours, and whether the program accepts CCDF subsidy vouchers. A county median says nothing about a specific center down the street that may charge far more or far less.

Data freshness and accuracy

The NDCP is released periodically by the Department of Labor; the latest edition reflects survey data through 2022, shown on each page. Prices in your area may have moved since then, especially given recent inflation in care costs. Small counties carry larger uncertainty because of smaller samples. We work to keep the data accurate and aligned with the NDCP source, but we cannot guarantee it is complete, current, or free of upstream limitations. If you spot a figure that looks wrong, please report it through our corrections process.

Before you choose care or set a budget

Treat PlainChildcare as one input among several. Before you act on what you read here, we recommend you also:

  • Contact providers directly for current tuition, registration fees, and waitlist status — these are the only authoritative numbers for what you will pay.
  • Check whether you qualify for help — the CCDF subsidy, Head Start, state pre-K, or an employer benefit — since these can change your out-of-pocket cost substantially.
  • Reach your state CCR&R agency, which maintains lists of licensed providers, open slots, and inspection records.
  • Verify a provider's current license and inspection report through your state's licensing portal before enrolling.

No affiliation

PlainChildcare is an independent publisher. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Census Bureau, or any state childcare agency. Outbound links to official sources are provided for verification and do not imply any partnership.

Questions

Questions about how to use this data, or about a specific figure, are welcome at hello@plainchildcare.com. See also our editorial & corrections policy and methodology.