NSECE Data Users Page
The National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) offers comprehensive datasets for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners studying early childhood education and care systems in the United States.
NSECE provides critical insights into both the demand for and supply of early care and education across America, supporting evidence-based policy development and research advancement.
This page is updated with information about NSECE data availability, research publications, and user resources. Resources support both experienced NSECE data users and those new to these rich datasets.
Latest Update: April 2025
Join the NSECE Data User’s Group
The NSECE User’s Group provides a forum for researchers currently using the data to learn from one another and to help the NSECE team develop the most useful technical assistance materials.
About the NSECE
The National Survey of Early Care and Education is the only nationally representative survey that brings together high-quality information about households with young children that might need or want early care and education with the organizations and individuals who provide early care and education. NSECE has collected data in 2012, 2019-2021, and 2024-2025.
Join the Data User’s Group
Are you interested in joining the data user's group? Sign up for the mailing list.
About the NSECE
The National Survey of Early Care and Education is the only nationally representative survey that brings together high-quality information about households with young children that might need or want early care and education with the organizations and individuals who provide early care and education. NSECE has collected data in 2012, 2019-2021, and 2024-2025.
Using NSECE Data in Your Research
Accessing Data Files
You can find 2012 NSECE, 2019 NSECE, and COVID-19 Longitudinal Follow-Up data at the Child and Family Data Archive (CFDA).
Data from the 2024 NSECE are currently expected to be available from the archive in 2026. Stay tuned for additional updates on data releases.
Data users can also find extensive data file documentation on the CDFA website, including a list of all of the variables contained in our Quick Tabulation, Main Public-Use, and Level-1 Restricted-Use files.
See the CFDA overview of data levels to better understand which NSECE data files may be most appropriate for your research.
Restricted Use Data
Rich geographic information and other potentially disclosive information are available for researchers to use in Level-1 or Level 2 Restricted-Use files.
Level-1 Restricted-Use Data
Users interested in obtaining the Level-1 Restricted-Use data for the 2012 or 2019 NSECE or Level-1a Restricted-Use data for the NSECE COVID Longitudinal Follow-ups can contact CFDA for those data. For Level-1/1a access, users agree to terms and conditions in a Restricted Data Use Agreement, specify the reasons for the request of each specific dataset, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research. Codebooks for these Restricted-Use data files are available on the CFDA website.
Level 2 Restricted-Use Data
Files are available via NORC. For more information, please contact us at nsece@norc.org or view an information packet.
Learning from NSECE Research
NSECE data are used in journal articles, government reports, and other research every day.
Two great places to read this work are:
Survey Websites
The following official websites provide comprehensive information about each NSECE survey wave, including methodology, questionnaires, data collection procedures, and key findings.
For more information about the NSECE, please visit OPRE’s NSECE survey page or NORC’s official survey page.
