Redfin lists nearby childcare on home pages

Redfin has launched a feature that displays nearby childcare options directly on property listings, addressing a logistical hurdle for buyers. The company partnered with Winnie, a national online childcare marketplace, to surface early care and education programs. This data is now visible on Redfin’s mobile and desktop websites. The feature debuted on the iOS and Android applications at the end of September.

Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin, noted that many people search for new homes during major life transitions. He said that starting or growing a family is a common driver for these moves. Fairweather stated, “Searching for a home often coincides with having a child.” He added that understanding childcare costs helps buyers determine what mortgage they can afford. This calculation is complex when housing and childcare represent a family’s two largest expenses.

The new tool pulls data from Winnie’s database of more than 250,000 licensed early care and education programs across the United States. For each listing, the feature displays up to five nearby providers. It lists the ages each program serves and the distance from the home. These providers include licensed center-based, home-based, and school-based early childhood programs. Buyers can click a program name to view a pop-up with further details.

The pop-up provides a provider’s website URL, hours of operation, description, and address. It also lists options for financial assistance and any published parent reviews. Sara Mauskopf, CEO and co-founder of Winnie, explained that providers can update their pages with additional information. Winnie creates initial profiles using public state licensing databases. Mauskopf said that about a quarter of the 250,000 provider pages have been claimed by the operators.

Active providers on the Winnie platform frequently update the number and type of open spaces. Mauskopf said these availability figures can change from day to day. She described childcare as a necessity for young families, not a nice-to-have. Mauskopf, a mother of three, recalled her own experience of scrambling to secure care after moving. She and her husband had focused on home prices and later considered if one parent would need to leave work to find a spot.

The feature appears alongside the K-12 school ratings from GreatSchools, which Redfin has included for over a decade. Isabelle Novak, a spokesperson for Redfin, confirmed that buyers will see both a K-12 option and a Preschool and daycare option on the listing page. Novak said the integration will only show providers within a 10-mile radius of the property address. If no programs exist in that range, a message will appear noting that none were found.

Mauskopf highlighted the issue of childcare deserts, areas lacking access to licensed programs. She said these locations might be affordable to live in but could be dealbreakers for families without nearby care. The tool helps families see if options are within walking distance or require a drive. This is relevant for both rural and large metro areas. Mauskopf emphasized that families need to think about childcare upfront rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Cost remains a barrier to full transparency in the market. Mauskopf said many programs still require families to tour the space before sharing prices. She called this practice unusual compared to other markets. However, she has noticed a recent shift where providers are beginning to post tuition information publicly. Mauskopf attributed this change partly to families asking AI tools for program rates. A majority of programs still require an in-person visit first, but willingness to share costs is increasing.