The Years Before School: Children’s Nonparental Care Arrangements From 2001 to 2012

Previous research has shown that about 60 percent of the nearly 24 million children age 5 and under living in the United States have some type of nonparental care arrangement before entering kindergarten. Studies of nonparental care arrangements are important because it is through such arrangements that many children receive basic care while their parents are at work, school, or otherwise not able to care for them. They are also where children may learn early literacy and numeracy skills that are important for kindergarten entry.

The Years Before School: Children’s Nonparental Care Arrangements From 2001 to 2012 presents findings on nonparental care over time, specifically on the arrangements children participate in, the time they spend in these arrangements, and the out-of-pocket expense for these arrangements.