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Child Day Care Cost

How Much Does Child Day Care Cost?

low cost Average: $611/month
low costHigh: $300+/week

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According to the U.S. Department of Labor there are several types of child day care for youth under five: child care in a child's home; care in an organized child care center; or care in a provider's home, also known as family child care. Older children may participate in before- and after-school programs or private summer school programs.
 
Typical costs:
  • Assuming full-time day care for a 2 year old child on weekdays, according to Runzheimer International, the U.S. national average cost for full-time day care is $611 a month.
  • Large cities such as Boston and New York are most expensive, with average daycare costs of a little more than $1,000 a month. Contacting two KinderCares in the San Jose area about infant day care, we received quotes of $300-$330 a week, plus annual fees.
  • Cities like San Antonio, TX, and Jackson, MS, have the lowest average prices, around $350-$400 a month.
Discounts:
Shopping for child day care:
  • The Medem Network offers a list of criteria to consider when selecting child care, including: location, hours, licensing/accreditation, visiting policy, caregiver experience and training, staffing, fees and services.
  • BabyCenter suggests talking to other parents about their experiences with local child care centers.
  • The Better Business Bureau offers a list of child care centers.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. For medical decisions, always consult your physician for the right course for your infant or child.
 
Article updated February 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $336.00 per month DAYCARE
Posted by: JESSICA in NAPLES, FL.Purchased: August, 2007
Provider: GRACE COMMUNITYChild's Age: 3
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD DAYCARE YOU CAN DROP BY ANYTIME AND KNOW THAT YOUR CHILD IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
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Amount: $1,500.00 per month Day Care
Posted by: Julianne in White Plalins, NY.Purchased: 2007
Provider: Bright HorizonsChild's Age: 3
Fabulous day care - very expensive
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Amount: $1,500.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Jenn in Thornton, CO.Purchased: 2007
Provider: La PetiteChild's Age: 2
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Amount: $624.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: a user in Tulsa, OK.Purchased: September, 2006
Provider: KinderCareChild's Age: 4
Great Daycare...worth every penny
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Amount: $900.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: a user in Parker, CO.Purchased: January, 2008
Provider: Primrose SchoolChild's Age: 4
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Amount: $154.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Rashieda in Seattle, WA.Purchased: 2007
Provider: Woodinville Childrens CenterChild's Age: 2&3
I pay $154 per month as a co-pay. I receive assistance through the state's childcare program. The city of Seattle also offers subsidy for working parents to offset childcare costs.
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Amount: $1,008.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: a user in Germantown, MD.Purchased: February, 2008
Provider: KinderCareChild's Age: 3
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Amount: $600.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Jo in Denver, CO.Purchased: 2007
Provider: PrivateChild's Age: Twin 4 yr olds
This lady is a great provider. It was by luck that I found her, unfortunately she doesn't transport to preschool(not headstart)but when compared to $1000-1500 p/mo quotes I got from lower-cost traditional daycare centers (who do not transport either) I got a great deal. By the way I make $130 over the limit for child care assistance. WOW!
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Amount: $1,544.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Dad in bloomigton, IL.Purchased: 2008
Provider: Little JewelsChild's Age: 2 and 4
Great school
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Amount: $925.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Robin in Denver, CO.Purchased: 2008
Provider: YMCAChild's Age: 1
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Amount: $130.00 per month $90.00 a week for infants
Posted by: Molly in Maysville, KY.Purchased: January, 2008
Provider: Mason County Child CareChild's Age: 3 months and 3 year old
This a wonderful day care and has been opened for 16 years and owned and operated by the same ladies.
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Amount: $400.00 per month Child Care Cost
Posted by: Mom in Augusta, GA.Purchased: January, 2008
Provider: A Child's WorldChild's Age: 4
My son loved his school. Very loving place. The only place where he has ever cleaned his plate.
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Amount: $1,040.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Sarah in Richfield, MN.Purchased: June, 2008
Provider: Montesorri CenterChild's Age: 14 months
We spend $240 a week for FT Infant Care at our center, located in a 1st ring suburb of Minneapolis ... and sadly, we picked the cheapest nearby center we could find!! (but we love the caregivers!)
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Amount: $620.00 per month Child Care
Posted by: Genova in Las Vegas, NV.Purchased: January, 2008
Provider: Kid's CampusChild's Age: 2
This price includes 2 snacks and nutritionally balanced lunch. from 6:30am-6:30pm M-F
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Amount: $1,250.00 per month Nerve wracking search for infant care!
Posted by: first time parent in San Jose, CA.Purchased: July, 2008
Provider: Action Day - Primary PlusChild's Age: 3 months
After getting quotes from a bunch of places, we finally settled on a chain called Action Day - Primary Plus. The home care places were cheaper ($700-$900) but they just seemed kind of sketchy -- we saw a lot of unattended children during our visits. Most centers in the San Jose / South Bay area ran $1,250-$1,600 (Kindercare), though thankfully prices drop once they're a toddler. I wish we'd searched *before* the birth -- the best places (good prices, caring people) seemed to book early and had wait lists of 3-6 months. Primary Plus actually costs $1,480 but my wife's employer negotiated a 15% discount for employees.
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Amount: $800.00 per month Child care
Posted by: Travlee in Lafayette, LA.Purchased: July, 2008
Provider: Butterflies & BeyondChild's Age: 8 & 6
Our kids have been going here since they were toddlers. Now that they are school age they go to afterschool care ($340/month for both kids for about 1.5 hours of afterschool care) and in the summer (see price above). This place is better than most, lots of activities, no TVs, field trips, reading and writing contests, speakers on a variety of topics. The price is pretty steep for this area but we suck it up because our kids aren't stuck in front of TVs or video games all day.

The afterschool care is good but basic. Most of the schools advertise that they offer "homework assistance" which in theory is good for parents because their kids can get a jump start on homework before the parent gets there. However, this claim is pretty much a joke. My daughter was in 2nd grade and pretty self sufficient but the few times she DID ask for help they either refused or gave her the wrong instructions. I realize it is ultimately MY job as parent to take care of this but just don't advertise it if you have no intention of actually providing the help. All of my friends say the same thing about their day care's claims of homework assistance....it just doesn't happen.
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Amount: $525.00 per month Child Care
Posted by: Mother's of children in Billings, MT.Purchased: 2006
Provider: Gina BakerChild's Age: 3 yrs.old
I go to work every morning knowing that my child is in good hands.It\'s Just Like Home Day Care is a wonderful place for my child to be.A lesson plan for the kids.Arts,crafts,music and more are done daily.Lots for my child to do.
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Amount: $650.00 per month Bad Day Care
Posted by: Jack Aroot in Pensacola, FL.Purchased: March, 2008
Provider: La Petite AcademyChild's Age: 6 mth
My child was given someone elses breast milk. The staff didn't seem to be that bothered by it. We took her off of breast milk and she is now strictly formula. Then the other day they put another childs bottle in her baby bag. Keep in mind that our bag is monogramed in large letters with her name. The bottle that they put in her bag also had a monogramed band around the bottle. I'm not sure of the people working there.
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Amount: $640.00 per month Child Care Cost
Posted by: Brandon W. in Lexington, KY.Purchased: 2008
Provider: La Petite AcademyChild's Age: 4
excellent center!!!
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Amount: $800.00 per month Great affordable home daycare
Posted by: parent in San Jose, CA.Purchased: November, 2008
Provider: Little Smiles Learning CareChild's Age: 3
This place is great, the lady running it is so mellow and down to earth. Clean house with and arts and crafts area, hooked on phonics included in the price. Fully licensed and certified CPR and first aid so i felt comfortable having my child there.
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Amount: $2,200.00 per month Fantastic day care for a price
Posted by: a parent in Acton, MA.Purchased: January, 2009
Provider: Infant Toddler CenterChild's Age: 17 months
Our day care is fantastic. My daugther loves it and I have a hard time imagining sending her somewhere else. We send her there four days a week and pay $1,800 a month.
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Amount: $827.67 per month Child Care Cost
Posted by: a user in charlotte, NC.Purchased: 2009
Provider: Sunshine StationChild's Age: 2
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Amount: $500.00 per month Economical and Enhanced
Posted by: Tititania in greenville, SC.Purchased: February, 2009
Provider: Joe Louis St Childcare ProgramChild's Age: 18 monthes
My daughter absolutely loves going to this in home daycare.. She has really learned and grown since starting this program.. The owner, Adelaide Johnson is a true blessing and I could'nt think of any other place that I would want my child to be..
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Amount: $800.00 per month daycare
Posted by: jane in Fords, NJ.Purchased: May, 2008
Provider: CandylandChild's Age: 2
Love this daycare they provide breakfast lunch and snacks. My child is learning so much and seems happy.
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Amount: $1,300.00 per month daycare
Posted by: NS in Sunnyvale, CA.Purchased: 2009
Provider: CCLCChild's Age: 10 months
Loving teachers... breakfast and lunch a separate charge...
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Amount: $472.00 per month Learning Center
Posted by: a user in San Antonio, TX.Purchased: April, 2009
Provider: Nurturing Hearts Early Learning CenterChild's Age: 18 months
My daughter attend 3 days a week for now. They have watchmegrow. I can log on anytime while she is there and view her activities. I get report of how her day was on paper everyday. Everyone there is kind and very patient. Everything is great so far. I can tell that although she is a little nervous in the beginning being without me for so long, that she is enjoying herself. She's already saying new stuff after 3 days of being there. Very happy and at peace with this learning center.
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Amount: $640.00 per month Daycare
Posted by: Sadiebug in Thornton, CO.Purchased: 2009
Provider: A Child's Touch - Thornton, COChild's Age: 5
I am paying for my son to go to the private kindergarten at A Child's Touch. It is worth every last penny! Very energetic and involved teachers who really care about each child and find great and fun ways to teach the kids. All the meals are provided at no extra cost and are extremely nutritious. Great outside play area that includes a wooden castle structure, a soccer field, a blacktop area, a building housing a science "discovery" center, another building houses a grocery store, a water marina, and they are now building another nature area. Can't say enough good things about this daycare!
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Amount: $60.00 per month Tutor
Posted by: a user in Brooklyn, NY.Purchased: April, 2009
Provider: MomChild's Age: 8 years
My child is 8 years old. She goes to this tutor at her house who is only twelve years old. My child has improved so much in her reading area. She managed to recieve a 4 on her ela. This tutor is great. My child goes to the tutor twice a week for an hour and a half. Best choice I ever made. She is accepeting students to be tutored if they are aged between 6-9. Her email is flygabby8@aol.com! Send her email for more information! My child enjoys to go! Her tutor who is only twelve years old makes it fun!
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Amount: $700.00 per month Loving & Affordable Childcare
Posted by: Mom of twins in Bridgeport, CT.Purchased: 2009
Provider: Love and Magic ChildcareChild's Age: 3
An amazing women (Denise) who has cared for our twins since birth. I was relocated with my job, 45mins away from Love and Magic childcare, and continued to commute 1 1/2 hours so my twins could remain in her care.
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Amount: $300.00 per month Childcare
Posted by: Mommyof1 in Miami, OK.Purchased: 2009
Provider: PrivateChild's Age: 9 Months
Lucky to find this place. Everywhere else around here cost 150.00 a week for infants and I think thats to the age of 2. We pay 70.00 a week there or not. Nobody will take part time kids.
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Amount: $600.00 per month Bad Track Record *children leaving alone*
Posted by: Concerned Parent in Dahlonega, GA.Purchased: 2009
Provider: Divine Glory Child Development and DaycaChild's Age: 0-5 plus afterschool
Last year this center let a 2 year old wander out and a stranger picked them up by the road side. One teacher had taken the child into another classroom. The teacher in the second classroom left the room. When 2nd teacher returned the child was gone. Second teacher assumed 1st teacher too the child back to original class room. Day Care center said air conditioner was broken so they had to leave all doors open to outside. (without baby gates!) Luckily stranger found the child on the road and called Lumpkin County Police before the child was hurt or kidnapped. No one at the center looked for the child because no one knew the child had left the building.
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Amount: $300.00 per month daycare
Posted by: elvina in denver, CO.Purchased: August, 2009
Provider: Child's Age: 3
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Amount: $776.00 per month great, nurturing, loving place!
Posted by: linda_loo in Sewickley, PA.Purchased: June, 2009
Provider: Be At Home Childcare & Dev. Ctr.Child's Age: 5
My youngest went to BAH for 3 years; my oldest (now in school) was there for 2 years. I was very happy with every facet of the center.
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Amount: $1,000.00 per month Child Care
Posted by: a user in Niles, IL.Purchased: August, 2009
Provider: A Mother's Touch Learning AcademyChild's Age: 3
Great school but pricey..
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Amount: $1,800.00 per month daycare
Posted by: Reliagility in Winchester, MA.Purchased: August, 2009
Provider: Creative CornerChild's Age: 1
Believe it or not, that seems to be the going rate around here.
Fabulous place! Wonderful, caring teachers.
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Amount: $0.00 per month varies
Posted by: abby's mom in Bergen Cty, NJ.Purchased: 2009
Provider: currently shoppingChild's Age: 2
I am currently seeking care for 3 days per week for my daughter & have encountered everything from $500/mo to $1100/per month for 3 full days. Some things are ok to shop on price, this is not one of them. I don't necessarily think that a high cost means the center will be the best but I am generally finding that you get what you pay for.
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Amount: $900.00 per month Bad childcare in Bloomington
Posted by: Caring parent trying to worn the rest of you! in Bloominton, IL.Purchased: 2008
Provider: Hanprints and KompanyChild's Age: 6 mth
Not very trustworthy place to take your children and exspensive for the care your child recieves no longer have our 2 year old at this daycare and would not suggest anyone to take there child there! ps she was 6mth when we had her there and that to me is a reasonbly easy age!
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Amount: $320.00 per month chosing a day care
Posted by: a user in sedalia, MO.Purchased: December, 2008
Provider: Aunt Marthas PreschoolChild's Age: 3 years
This preschool is wonderful I am presently taking my son there and he loves it. The teachers see to all of his needs as well as the other childrens needs. I am glad we found this center.
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Amount: $600.00 per month Wonderful Place! Country Kids Care!
Posted by: Mom of One in DAMASCUS, MD.Purchased: August, 2009
Provider: Kelly JonasChild's Age: 3
Wonderful, loving Day Care. It isn't fancy but funcional. Teaches pre-school currriculum, provides meals and snacks. Always an activity or field trip. Kids aren't just sat in front of TV all day.
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Amount: $920.00 per month Child Care Cost
Posted by: JennyN in Omaha, NE.Purchased: September, 2009
Provider: Rosewood AcademyChild's Age: 14 months
The teachers are highly trained and educated. Serves as a day care and pre-school. I know that when I leave my infant there in the morning that she will have the best care possible. Such a learning and loving environment. Very Clean. Provides breakfast, lunch, and snack. Rates vary with age of child, with infants being highest (920/month).
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Amount: $910.00 per month good childcare program
Posted by: crystald in Woodside, Queens, NY.Purchased: March, 2009
Provider: RainbowlandChild's Age: 2
Very loving teachers who really care for your children. My son was very happy and really thrived here.
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Amount: $300.00 per month Great Childcare
Posted by: Mom of One Indiana in New Haven, IN.Purchased: January, 2009
Provider: WeeFriends Home DyacreChild's Age: 3
This is a great Home Daycare I know my Daughter is safe and well taken care of while I'm at work
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Amount: $1,010.00 per month Childcare for 2 kids
Posted by: Parent of Two in Houston, TX.Purchased: 2009
Provider: Garden Oaks Baptist ChurchChild's Age: 5 and 20 months
I love this day care. They charge the same rate no matter the age ($525 monthly) and they provide a healthy lunch and snacks. Teachers are sweet and caring. When I had a concern about a diaper rash for my toddler they took care of the problem immediately and the diaper rash was gone in two days. They also provide activities for the kids. My oldest is taking dance classes at the site for only $50 more a month.
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Amount: $975.00 per month Good daycare, but wish it was cheaper
Posted by: mer428917 in Ellicott City, MD.Purchased: January, 2009
Provider: La PetiteChild's Age: 5
Great for getting your children ready for school. They helped teach my son reading and math. Now he's ahead of his entire kindergarten class.
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