This Snapshot uses data from the 2012 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) household survey to elucidate the types of nonparental care that lower-income households with at least one working parent are using, either solely or in combination, to care for children under age 6.¹ This Snapshot also identifies the primary type of nonparental care that lower-income households use and the extent to which children from lower-income households access center based care. Lower-income households are defined as those with an annual income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and at least one working parent.

Key Findings

In 2012, higher-income households (at or above 200% FPL) were more likely to use nonparental care than lower-income households (below 200% FPL).

• In lower-income households with at least one working parent, 58 percent of infants and toddlers (birth to 35 months) and 72 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds (36-71 months) were cared for using nonparental care.
• In higher-income households with at least one working parent, 73 percent of infants and toddlers and 83 percent of 3-to-5-year-olds were cared for using nonparental care.

Among children in lower-income households using nonparental care:

• Most children (infants and toddlers: 92%; 3- to 5-year-olds: 81%) were cared for by one or more providers within a single nonparental care type (e.g., center-based care, paid individual, unpaid individual, other organizational early care and education). However, 8 percent of infants and toddlers and 19 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds were cared for using a combination of nonparental care types.
• The most common primary care type for infants and toddlers (39%) was unpaid individual care. The most common primary care type for 3- to 5-year-olds (46%) was center-based care.
• Fewer infants and toddlers (19%) accessed some form of center-based care, either solely or in combination with another care type, than 3- to 5-year-olds (53%).