National Database of Childcare Prices, [United States], 2008-2022

The National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) provides childcare prices at the county level in the United States. The NDCP is a new data source, and the most comprehensive federal source of childcare prices at the county level in the United States. The NDCP was developed to fill a need for local-level childcare price data, standardized across U.S. states. Most existing sources of childcare price data provide prices at the state level, yet parents must choose childcare providers that are in close proximity to their homes or workplaces. Therefore, state averages are unlikely to be good estimates of the prices parents encounter in the market. State average prices do not reflect the substantial variation in prices from one locale to the next within a state and underestimate prices in urban areas. The NDCP provides data on the price of childcare by children's age groups and care setting (home-based or center-based) at the median and 75th percentile over a 15-year period (2008-2022, inclusive) at the county level. The data were obtained from state Lead Agencies responsible for conducting market rate surveys (MRS) according to Child Care and Development Fund regulations. A MRS is the collection and analysis of prices charged by childcare providers for services in the priced market. All state Lead Agencies must conduct a survey and develop a report on local childcare prices in their state every three years. The Women's Bureau contracted with ICF to obtain reports and data from previously conducted surveys to develop the NDCP. The NDCP standardizes and harmonizes data across years and geographies for about 200 previously conducted MRS. The NDCP also provides county-level demographic and economic data from the American Community Survey. The accompanying User Guide (National Database of Childcare Prices: Technical Report) provides detailed information about the data sources, data collection strategy, standardization and imputation of the data, and data limitations to inform and assist researchers who may be interested in using the data for future analyses. The following items are provided in the User Guide as appendices. Appendix A: Data Collection Protocol and Decisions Made During Data Entry Process, Including State Nuances Appendix B: List of Imputations Performed for Each State and Year Appendix C: County-Level Data Dictionary Appendix D: Methods Used for Specific Demographic Variables - County Appendix E: State-Level Data Dictionary Appendix F: Methods Used for Specific Demographic Variables - State Appendix G: 2008-2018 Imputations for County-Level Childcare Prices from Statewide Data Appendix H: Price Quintile Ranges for State-Level Price Database Appendix I: Summary of Additional 2008-2018 Data Added as a Result of Additional In-Between Study Imputations