Frequently Asked Questions
How many daycares and preschools are there in the US?
There are over 200,00 licensed daycare and preschool programs on CareLuLu. In the US, there are over 800,000 child care businesses but most are not licensed.
What is an emergency child care facility?
Emergency child care programs are facilities used during a crisis like COVID-19. They can be regular daycares (approved during emergency) or temporary facilities setup specifically to cater to essential workers during the crisis (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.)
Who can use emergency child care during the coronavirus crisis?
Emergency child care allows essential workers (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.) to have access to daycare during a crisis. Non-essential personnel can often use these child care services too but State rules vary. Contact local authorities to confirm.
Who pays for emergency child care?
Parents normally pay for emergency child care unless they qualify for subsidies. However, during a crisis like COVID-19, some States may pay daycare costs for essential workers (healthcare providers, police, transportation and food workers, etc.) Contact local authorities to learn more.
How much does daycare cost in the US?
The average cost of daycare in the US is $9,649/year. The lowest price is $2,813/year (home daycare in Mississippi) and the most expensive is $23,666/year (child care center in Washington DC).