Market Rate Study Report

All Child Care Lead Agencies (in NC the Division of Child Development and Early Education) are required as part of receipt of the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) block grant to conduct a statistically valid and reliable market rate survey (MRS) reflecting variations in the price to parents of child care services by geographic area, type of provider, and age of child.  This report must be completed no earlier than two (2) years before the date of submission of that lead agency’s three-year State Plan.  However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, DCDEE received a waiver to delay the market rate survey to ensure it was more representative of the typical child care market. 

The purpose of the market rate survey is to establish recommendations for market rates for subsidized child care through the North Carolina Subsidized Child Care Program.  The study is based on survey of child care providers across the state and represents the seventh such survey.  The market rate study report describes the procedures used in the survey, provides background on current operation of child care facilities, and presents the findings of an analysis designed to recommend changes to the current market rate. 

As part of North Carolina’s submission of its 2022-2024 CCDF State Block Grant Plan, the 2021 Child Care Market Rate Survey was completed in conjunction with researchers from North Carolina State University.  A narrow cost analysis was also completed as part of the 2022-2024 CCDF State Block Grant Plan. For questions regarding this report, please contact [email protected].