Child Care & Preschool Enrollment

In 2017, the WIC children were in some type of child care remained steady at 40%. Compared to other ethnic groups, Hispanic families that are Spanish-speaking are the least likely to use child care (31%). For families that use child care, there is no “typical” number of child care hours in a week. Families have varied needs, ranging from a few hours to 40+ hours a week. In 2017, 9% of families indicated that it was very difficult to find child care that fit their needs.

In 2017, 22% of parents who used child care reported that they used a childcare center on a regular basis. More often, the child was cared for in another person’s home (44%), usually a relative, or someone in the child’s own home (35%). For those who used child care centers, 97% reported that the center was licensed. For those who used home-based child care, 27% reported that the person is a licensed family or home care provider.

In 2014, 67% of WIC children ages 4 years or older were enrolled in preschool, up from 64% in 2011. Among the children enrolled in preschool:

• 46% were in Head Start programs.
• 83% didn’t pay for pre-school

*Data source: Los Angeles County WIC Survey, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017. Sample size approximately 5,000 in each survey year. For more details click here.