Daycare Center class codes

Child care typically splits across two related codes:

• Code 8869 — Child Day Care Center: Professional Employees & Clerical: teachers, directors, and office staff
• Code 9059 — Child Day Care Center: All Other Employees: cooks, drivers, and maintenance staff
• Code 8810 — Clerical: administrative staff in some state schemes
• School operations: private K-12 programs may rate under school codes rather than daycare

Getting the class code right matters more in this industry than almost anything else on the policy. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons daycare and child care centers overpay — and one of the first things we check when we review an existing policy. Browse our class code guides for a deeper look at how rates attach to codes.

What drives workers’ comp claims for daycare and child care centers

Daycare claims come from the floor-level physical work of the job:

• Lifting injuries — picking up children dozens of times a day is the signature daycare claim
• Slips, trips, and falls — toys underfoot, wet floors, and playground surfaces
• Awkward-posture strains — child-height furniture, floor time, and diaper stations
• Bites and scratches — minor but frequent, with occasional infection follow-ups
• Playground incidents — staff injured supervising or intervening in play

How much does workers’ comp cost for daycare and child care centers?

Daycare centers usually price between roughly $1 and $2.50 per $100 of payroll depending on state and history. A center with ten staff and $350,000 of payroll typically pays $3,500 to $9,000 a year — with proper lifting training and safe-carry policies keeping centers at the favorable end.

Because we quote daycare and child care centers across a dozen A-rated carriers — including specialists who actively want this class of business — the spread between the best and worst quote on the same account is often 20–40%. That spread is why comparison shopping matters more than any single discount.

Ways to lower your premium

• Pay-as-you-go billing — premium calculated from actual payroll each pay period, which fits the seasonal staffing patterns common in this industry
• Accurate class codes and payroll splits — clerical staff belongs in code 8810, not your governing class
• A documented safety program — carriers credit written procedures, training records, and a clean loss history
• Experience mod management — reporting claims promptly and closing them fast protects your mod at renewal
• Train safe-lifting and use child-height equipment aids — lifting claims are the class’s biggest cost driver and the most preventable

Daycare Center workers’ comp FAQs

Is workers’ comp required for a licensed daycare?

In nearly every state, yes — employees trigger the requirement, and many licensing agencies ask for proof of coverage as part of the application. In-home daycares with employees are covered by the same rules.

What class codes apply to child care centers?

Teachers, directors, and clerical staff typically rate under code 8869, while cooks, drivers, and maintenance staff fall under 9059. The split matters — 8869 usually carries the lower rate.

Does workers’ comp cover a teacher hurt lifting a child?

Yes — lifting injuries are the most common daycare claim and are fully covered, including medical care and lost wages during recovery. Safe-lifting training measurably reduces both frequency and premium.

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