This study aimed to analyze the trends of studies on estimation of cost for early
childhood education and child-care services provided by both the kindergarten and
child-care centers. A total of 21 papers including academic journals and policy research
reports were collected. The papers were analyzed with the annual trends, research
contents, and estimation methods of cost for early childhood education and child-care
services. The main results of this study were as follows. Firstly, the studies on
estimation of cost for early childhood education were performed earlier than the ones on
estimation of cost for child-care services. The research contents were composed of
analyzing operating expenses and estimating cost for early childhood education and
child-care services. Secondly, there were similarities in the estimating processes of cost
for early childhood education and child-care services, but the definition of operating
expenses used for the estimation of cost differed. Thirdly, there were differences in the
items of operating expenses inputted to estimate cost and in the calculation procedures of
items in studies. Finally, based on the results, this study suggested what future studies
and policy should consider in the estimation of cost for early childhood education and
child-care services.