Sacramento Cost Modeling Child Care Project

Learn how Child Action is working with providers and community partners to better understand the true cost of providing high-quality child care in Sacramento County.

Understanding Child Care Costs

Child Action is working alongside child care providers and community partners to better understand the financial realities of providing care in Sacramento County. The findings will help support future planning, investment, and funding discussions.

About Cost Modeling

Understand the true cost of providing high-quality child care.

How the Initiative Works

Combines public data, provider information, and provider experiences.

Project Timeline

Follows key phases from planning through findings in 2027.

Our Goals

Support a sustainable child care system

Understand workforce and operational realities

Inform future investment strategies

Advance equitable access to quality child care

Build a trusted foundation for future funding discussions

Your Voice Matters

Hear from Sacramento County child care provider Maria Lopez about why your participation matters and how sharing your experience can help build a cost model that reflects the realities of providing child care.

Ready to participate? Choose the survey that matches how you provide care below.

Provider Surveys

Choose Your Provider Survey

Child Care Center

For center-based child care providers.

Family Child Care Home

For licensed family child care home providers.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care

For family, friend, and neighbor caregivers.

Each survey is also available in: العربية (Arabic) · فارسی (Farsi) · دری (Dari) · Русский (Russian) · Español (Spanish)

Select your preferred language after opening the survey.

Submit by October 2, 2026

Complete your survey by the deadline to make sure your experience is included.

Complete the Survey & Get Rewarded

The first 100 providers to complete the survey will receive a $25 incentive. Plus, everyone who completes a survey will be entered to win a $250 Lakeshore Gift Card.

Resources

Resources

Access materials to help you learn more about the Cost Modeling Project and complete the survey.

Information Sessions

Watch the information session for your provider type and view the shared presentation materials.

Child Care Centers
Watch Video
Family Child Care Homes
Watch Video
Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care
Watch Video
Information Session PowerPoint
View Presentation
Survey How-To Guide

Step-by-step guidance to help you access, navigate, save your progress, and complete the survey.

View Survey How-To Guide
Cost Modeling Guide for Providers

Learn more about cost modeling, why provider participation matters, and what to expect from the process.

View Cost Modeling Guide for Providers
Need Help?

Need Help?

We’re here to support you throughout the survey process.

Virtual Office Hours

Join us if you have questions about the survey or would like additional guidance before submitting your responses.

Breakout rooms will be available for language support:

العربية (Arabic)  ·  فارسی (Farsi)  ·  دری (Dari)  ·  Русский (Russian)  ·  Español (Spanish)

Wednesdays · 6:00–7:00 PM

August 26 · September 16 · October 14

Join Wednesday Office Hours
Fridays · 1:00–2:00 PM

September 4 · September 25

Join Friday Office Hours
Saturdays · 9:00–10:00 AM

August 29 · October 3

Join Saturday Office Hours
Technical Assistance

For questions or help with the survey:

Email:
info@childaction.org

Phone:
916-369-0191

For technical issues with the survey platform:

Email:
ResearchandData@childaction.org

Child Action is developing this cost model with guidance and coaching from Children’s Funding Project, a national nonprofit social impact organization that helps communities, states, and Native nations expand equitable opportunities for children and youth through strategic public financing.