$22,628
Child care facts · Updated 20 October 2026
California Child Care Statistics: Costs, Demand & Family Needs
A source-backed snapshot of the numbers shaping child care decisions in California. Each statistic links to the public report it comes from, so families, community partners, and writers can use it with confidence.
A quick reference
California child care, by the numbers.
These figures show why clear information, flexible schedules, and a realistic care plan matter to so many families. They describe statewide reports, not NiteOwl’s individual pricing or availability.
$19,022
Average annual price for infant care in a California family child care setting.
Source: Child Care Aware of America50%
Share of median income that center-based infant care represented for a single-parent family in California.
Source: Child Care Aware of America413,690
Requests for child care referrals made through California resource and referral programs.
Source: California Department of Social Services113,792
Referral requests for infants and toddlers under age 2.
Source: California Department of Social Services145,028
Referral requests for preschool-age children, ages 2–5.
Source: California Department of Social Services51,139
Referral requests for school-age children, age 6 and older.
Source: California Department of Social Services137,239
Referral requests from parents who were employed.
Source: California Department of Social ServicesCare decisions are shaped by cost and by the hours a family actually needs.
California’s statewide pricing figures show the pressure that infant care can put on a family budget. The state’s annual referral data adds another perspective: families are actively looking for care across infant, preschool, and school-age years, often while balancing work.
For a family comparing options, a useful next step is to ask direct questions about the child’s age, the days and hours needed, routine, licensing, and current availability. Numbers can give context, but the right choice still depends on the individual child and family.
NiteOwl Nursery & Childcare Center. “California Child Care Statistics: Costs, Demand & Family Needs.” Updated 20 October 2026. niteowlchildcare.com/california-child-care-statistics