Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier
Series
Upjohn Institute working paper ; 26-432
DOI
10.17848/wp26-432
Issue Date
June 2026
Abstract
Parents often cite location and convenience as important factors in choosing a child care provider. We use data on individual mobility from GPS in cell phones to study commutes to each licensed early childhood care and education (ECE) provider in 14 states separately for center customers, center workers, and customers of home-based child care providers. We document five key facts about ECE customer and worker commutes. One, center customers and workers commute farther than home-based customers to ECE providers. Two, substantial shares of customers and workers commute 10+ miles to their ECE provider. Three, commute distances to ECE providers vary substantially across geographic regions. Four, commute distances, especially for center workers, increase with provider neighborhood socioeconomic status. Five, commute distances vary by the racial and ethnic composition of the provider location, even after controlling for measures of socioeconomic status. Results suggest variation in ECE market size by provider type, geographic location, and workforce characteristics, which has implications for policies intended to increase supply within the sector. Higher-income customers may lift child care prices and wages across a broader region than where they shop, impacting access in less privileged regions. Interventions targeting child care wages may have geographical spillovers outside of child care markets defined by consumer behavior.
Sponsorship
Washington Center for Equitable Growth
Subject Areas
EDUCATION; Early childhood; Childcare / Child care; Preschool and early education; LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Wages, health insurance and other benefits; Industry studies; Transportation and infrastructure
Technical Appendix
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Citation
Pepin, Gabrielle, Jonathan Borowsky, Elizabeth E. Davis, and Aaron Sojourner. 2026. "Close to Home? Five Key Facts about Child Care Customer and Worker Commutes." Upjohn Institute Working Paper 26-432. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. https://doi.org/10.17848/wp26-432