NAICS 6244

Child Day Care Services

NAICS 6244: Child day care services industry overview. Learn about providers, market trends, regulations, and workforce characteristics.

Published by VantaInsights Research·Methodology·Data Sources· AI-drafted
Built on data from Census Bureau CBP Bureau of Labor Statistics Federal Reserve FRED SEC EDGAR

Industry at a Glance

Sector-wide aggregates across all businesses classified under NAICS 6244 (2017 classification frame). For specific sub-industries within this sector, see the individual reports below.

NAICS 2022 renames this industry to “Child Care Services”. Code and data unchanged.

Employment
1.0M
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Establishments
82K
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Annual Payroll
$31.0B
US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Avg Annual Wage
$29,695
Derived from US Census CBP · 2023 · NAICS 2017
Market Size
$58.4B
US Census Economic Census · 2022 · NAICS 2017

Industry Overview

Child day care services (NAICS 6244) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing day care of infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. This includes child care centers, family child care homes, and before/after-school care programs that offer supervision, education, and developmental services to children whose parents are employed or in educational programs. The industry plays a critical economic role by enabling parental workforce participation while supporting early childhood development, making it essential infrastructure for both families and the broader economy. Key characteristics include varying regulatory requirements by state, competition between for-profit and nonprofit operators, dependence on parental fees and public subsidies, and significant staffing challenges related to recruitment and retention of qualified caregivers.

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Industry Trends

01

Increased demand for flexible and non-traditional care hours as workplace schedules diversify, driving expansion of extended-hour and weekend child care services.

02

Growing integration of technology platforms for parent communication, enrollment management, and curriculum tracking, alongside concerns about screen time policies in care settings.

03

Rising emphasis on social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care practices, reflecting evolving understanding of early childhood development and mental health.

04

Continued labor shortage and wage pressure due to better employment opportunities elsewhere, prompting many providers to increase compensation and offer benefits packages.

05

Expanding public investment in early childhood programs through state pre-K initiatives and federal child care subsidies, creating both opportunities and regulatory complexity for providers.

Available Reports

1 industry report available for purchase under Child Day Care Services.

Child Day Care Services
NAICS 62441
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Specialty Reports Available on Request

1 specialty industriesavailable on request
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Child Day Care Services
624410View →

Industries

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624411 report

Child Day Care Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAICS 6244? ▾
NAICS 6244 is the industry classification for child day care services in the United States. It includes establishments that provide day care, supervision, and educational programming for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children, whether operated as centers, family homes, or school-based programs. This classification falls under the broader Social Assistance sector within Health care and Social Assistance.
What is the difference between a child care center and a family child care home? ▾
Child care centers are typically larger, facility-based operations serving multiple children with multiple staff members, subject to state licensing requirements. Family child care homes are smaller, home-based settings operated by individual providers or small teams, often with lower child-to-adult ratios and more flexible scheduling. Both are included in NAICS 6244 and serve similar age groups but differ in scale, structure, and regulatory requirements.
How do child care providers generate revenue? ▾
Child care providers primarily generate revenue through parental tuition and fees, which vary by age group, location, and quality level. Many also receive public subsidies through state and federal child care assistance programs, grants from nonprofit organizations, and occasionally employer partnerships. Some faith-based and nonprofit centers may supplement revenue through donations and grants.
What regulatory requirements do child care providers face? ▾
Providers must comply with state-specific licensing requirements, which typically include facility standards, staff-to-child ratios, health and safety protocols, background checks, and training requirements. Licensing and regulatory standards vary significantly by state, creating operational complexity for multi-state operators. Federal regulations such as HIPAA and consumer protection laws also apply, along with potential municipal zoning and building code requirements.
What qualifications do child care workers need? ▾
Requirements vary by state and position, but increasingly include high school diplomas or GEDs, CPR/First Aid certification, and child development coursework or degrees. Many states now require specific training hours in areas like child development, health and safety, and family engagement. Directors typically need higher credentials, including associate or bachelor's degrees in early childhood education, while assistant teachers may have minimal initial requirements, though professional development is increasingly emphasized.

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