Analysis
NAICS 624410 is the 2022 national industry for child care services, part of 62441 (Child Care Services). Census lists 18 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 82,162 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 1,045,052 people at an average annual payroll of $29,695 per employee (3rd percentile of national industries). 36% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include babysitting services in provider's own home, child care, babysitting services, child care, before-school and after-school educational programs… and child care babysitting services, among 18 in all.
For example, offering kindergarten educational programs are classified in 611110 (Elementary and Secondary Schools) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 6% and employment rose 6%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Census lists 2 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 611110 and 624110. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing care and early learning opportunities for infants and children. These establishments generally care for children from birth through school age and may also offer pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and/or before- or after-school educational programs. The care and early learning provided by these establishments may include opportunities for development in health, social and emotional learning, and family engagement.
Illustrative Examples:
Before-school and after-school educational programs, separate from schools Child care babysitting services Child or infant care centers Head Start and Early Head Start programs, separate from schools Nursery schools Preschool centers
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
Index entries (18)
- Babysitting services in provider's own home, child care
- Babysitting services, child care
- Before-school and after-school educational programs, separate from schools
- Child care babysitting services
- Child care services
- Child care services in provider's own home
- Child care, before or after school, separate from schools
- Child day care centers
- Day care centers, child or infant
- Day care services, child or infant
- Family child care homes (excluding private households employing nannies)
- Group day care centers, child or infant
- Head Start and Early Head Start programs, separate from schools
- Infant care services
- Infant day care centers
- Nursery schools
- Pre-kindergarten centers (except part of elementary school system)
- Preschool centers