# National Childcare Price Search (`ryanclinton/childcare-price-data`) Actor County-level childcare prices from the DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) with affordability analysis. - **URL**: https://apify.com/ryanclinton/childcare-price-data.md - **Developed by:** [ryan clinton](https://apify.com/ryanclinton) (community) - **Categories:** Other, AI - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing $20.00 / 1,000 result returneds This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## National Childcare Price Search County-level childcare prices from the DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) with affordability analysis. ### What does this actor do? This actor searches the most comprehensive federal source of childcare prices at the county level. The NDCP covers over 3,000 US counties from 2008 to 2022 with prices broken down by: - **Provider type**: Center-based vs. family-based care - **Age group**: Infant, toddler, preschool, school-age - **County demographics**: Population, median income, poverty rate, unemployment rate, labor force participation Each record includes an **affordability analysis** based on the HHS benchmark (childcare should cost no more than 7% of household income). ### Input parameters | Parameter | Type | Description | |-----------|------|-------------| | `apiKey` | string | DOL API key (free at https://dataportal.dol.gov/registration) | | `dryRun` | boolean | Return sample data (default: true unless apiKey provided) | | `state` | string | Two-letter state abbreviation | | `countyName` | string | County name (partial match) | | `year` | integer | Specific year (2008–2022) | | `yearFrom` | integer | Filter from year | | `yearTo` | integer | Filter to year | | `maxResults` | integer | Max records (1–5000, default: 500) | ### Output format ```json { "records": [ { "countyFips": "36061", "countyName": "New York", "stateAbbr": "NY", "year": 2022, "centerBased": { "infant": 450, "toddler": 400, "preschool": 375, "schoolAge": 280 }, "familyBased": { "infant": 320, "toddler": 290, "preschool": 270, "schoolAge": 210 }, "demographics": { "medianIncome": 93651, "povertyRate": 15.2, "unemploymentRate": 5.8 }, "affordability": { "centerCostAsPercentOfIncome": 24.98, "affordabilityRating": "Very Expensive" } } ], "summary": { "totalRecords": 3, "avgCenterInfant": 363, "topExpensiveCounties": [...], "topAffordableCounties": [...], "byState": [...] } } ```` ### Affordability ratings Based on the HHS benchmark (childcare < 7% of household income): | Rating | Center infant cost as % of income | |--------|-----------------------------------| | Affordable | <= 7% | | Moderate | 7–14% | | Expensive | 14–21% | | Very Expensive | > 21% | ### Use cases - **Policy researchers**: Analyze childcare affordability trends across counties and years - **Employers**: Understand childcare costs for workforce planning and benefits - **Real estate**: Factor childcare costs into cost-of-living analyses - **Journalists**: Report on childcare affordability by region - **Nonprofits**: Identify childcare desert areas and high-cost counties ### Data source DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices: - `WB/ndcp` — County-level childcare prices (2008–2022), 3,000+ counties # Actor input Schema ## `apiKey` (type: `string`): Your DOL Open Data Portal API key. Register free at https://dataportal.dol.gov/registration ## `dryRun` (type: `boolean`): Return sample data without calling the API. Default: true (unless apiKey provided) ## `state` (type: `string`): Two-letter state abbreviation ## `countyName` (type: `string`): Search by county name (partial match) ## `year` (type: `integer`): Specific study year (2008–2022) ## `yearFrom` (type: `integer`): Filter from this year ## `yearTo` (type: `integer`): Filter up to this year ## `maxResults` (type: `integer`): Maximum records to return (1-5000) ## Actor input object example ```json { "dryRun": true, "maxResults": 500 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("ryanclinton/childcare-price-data").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("ryanclinton/childcare-price-data").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call ryanclinton/childcare-price-data --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=ryanclinton/childcare-price-data", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "National Childcare Price Search", "description": "County-level childcare prices from the DOL Women's Bureau National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) with affordability analysis.", "version": "0.1", "x-build-id": "owEtWBvk7vqGThiCw" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/ryanclinton~childcare-price-data/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-ryanclinton-childcare-price-data", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/ryanclinton~childcare-price-data/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-ryanclinton-childcare-price-data", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/ryanclinton~childcare-price-data/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-ryanclinton-childcare-price-data", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "apiKey": { "title": "DOL API Key", "type": "string", "description": "Your DOL Open Data Portal API key. Register free at https://dataportal.dol.gov/registration" }, "dryRun": { "title": "Dry Run", "type": "boolean", "description": "Return sample data without calling the API. Default: true (unless apiKey provided)", "default": true }, "state": { "title": "State", "type": "string", "description": "Two-letter state abbreviation" }, "countyName": { "title": "County Name", "type": "string", "description": "Search by county name (partial match)" }, "year": { "title": "Year", "type": "integer", "description": "Specific study year (2008–2022)" }, "yearFrom": { "title": "Year From", "type": "integer", "description": "Filter from this year" }, "yearTo": { "title": "Year To", "type": "integer", "description": "Filter up to this year" }, "maxResults": { "title": "Max Results", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 5000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum records to return (1-5000)", "default": 500 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```