Frequently Asked Questions

All data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). The NDCP is the most comprehensive county-level childcare cost dataset in the United States, compiled from state market rate surveys.

PlainChildcare includes data for 3,224 counties. Not all counties have complete data for every age group and care type — coverage depends on whether the state conducted a market rate survey that included that combination.

Center-based care refers to licensed childcare centers, preschools, and daycare facilities. Family-based care refers to licensed family childcare homes where a provider cares for children in their own home. Family-based care tends to be less expensive but may serve fewer children.

The affordability ratio is annual childcare cost divided by county median household income, expressed as a percentage. The federal government considers childcare 'affordable' if it costs 7% or less of household income. PlainChildcare shows this ratio for each county so you can see how costs compare to local income.

Childcare costs vary due to local labor market wages (childcare workers earn more in high-cost areas), real estate and facility costs, state licensing requirements, and provider competition. Urban counties typically have much higher costs than rural ones within the same state.

State market rate surveys are conducted on varying schedules — some annually, some every 2–4 years. Data vintage varies by state. We update our database when the Department of Labor releases new NDCP data.

No. PlainChildcare is an independent data portal presenting publicly available government data. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor, the Women's Bureau, or any government agency.