How much does after-school transportation cost?
How much does after-school transportation cost?
$25 – $360 average cost per week
Average after-school transportation costs
After-school care with transportation costs $25 to $360 per week, depending on the service. A pickup and drop-off school service costs $8 to $50 per trip to transport students to after-school activities. An after-school sitter or nanny costs $180 to $360 per week. Extended-day school programs cost $25 to $125 per week.
| Provider | Average cost per week | Services provided |
|---|---|---|
| After-school care program | $25 – $125 | Public or private school extended care onsite |
| After-school nanny | $180 – $360 | Transport and childcare on a permanent basis |
| After-school sitter | $210 – $300 | Transport and childcare on an as-needed basis |
| YMCA aftercare program | $60 – $90 | After-school program with shuttle bus |
| Daycare after-school program | $60 – $160 | School-aged daycare program with shuttle bus |
| Door-to-door shuttle | $8 – $50 per trip | Daily transport – no childcare provided |
Cost data is from research and project costs reported by TrustedCare members.
After-school transportation cost by type
After-school transportation costs vary depending on the caregiver you employ. Nannies and babysitters can pick up your kids from school, drive them to lessons or activities, and care for them until you get home. Many after-school programs like the YMCA or daycare centers offer shuttle services from local schools.
In addition, some youth transportation services allow you to schedule a private or shared ride on an app. The highly vetted employees drive your kids to activities when you can't. These services provide safe transport but do not provide extended childcare services.
After-school sitter
An after-school babysitter costs $14 to $20 per hour and is typically hired on an as-needed basis. They can take your kids to music or sports activities, help with homework, and supervise the kids on weeks when you are unable to be there because of work or other obligations.
After-school nanny
An after-school nanny costs $12 to $24 per hour or $180 to $360 per week to work 3 hours every day throughout the school year. A before and after-school nanny works 25 hours per week which includes 2 hours before school and 3 hours after.
A full-time nanny works 35 to 40 hours per week, watching the younger children at home all day and the older children before and after school. They often earn benefits like health insurance, sick leave, paid holidays, and vacations. Other at-home childcare options include:
A live-in nanny costs $700 to $1200 per week, plus room and board. They often work 10 hours per day, up to 6 days per week.
An au-pair costs $150 to $250 per week in pocket money, plus program fees and room and board costs. Their hours are limited to 45 hours per week.
A nanny share costs $10 to $15 per hour or $150 to $225 per week for 3 hours each afternoon when splitting the nanny costs with another family.
After-school programs
An after-school kids care program costs $25 to $125 per week for a public-school or private-school extended day program in the afternoons. Most schools also offer morning programs for parents that need to be at work before the regular start of the school day.
YMCA after-school programs cost $60 to $90 per week for kids attending after-school only. Many clubs offer shuttle services from local schools.
Daycare centers offer school-aged after-school care programs costing $60 to $160 per week which often includes shuttle service from local schools.
Car services
Door-to-door shuttle services cost $8 to $50 per trip. A car service for unaccompanied minors offers private or shared transport to home, office, dance studio, or sports lessons. Drivers are carefully vetted, and security measures like pickup notes and multi-factor authentication ensure student safety.
Transportation services charge $8 to $10 per trip for a shared ride. Many companies require parents to arrange the carpool to ensure the children are not riding with strangers.
Private rides cost $15 to $50 per trip, depending on the travel distance.
Many transport services offer discounted rates for recurring trips that are scheduled in advance.
After-school transportation cost factors
Several factors affect the cost of after-school transportation and care, including the caregiver qualifications, the number and age of the children, the hours needed, and the distances traveled.
Caregiver qualifications
Caregivers with higher education and years of experience tend to charge more for their services. A high school or college student is more affordable but remember they have less driving and childcare experience. Many parents are willing to pay higher rates to ensure their children's safety and wellbeing.
Number and age of children
The fees for most care services are based on one school-aged child. Younger children require greater supervision and therefore have higher care costs. Many care programs offer a discount of up to 10% for each additional child enrolled.
Other costs
These factors also impact the cost of after-school transportation and care services:
Travel distance – Most rideshare services charge a flat fee based on the travel distance. The further they drive, the more the trip costs.
Insurance – Consider subsidizing your caregiver's car and health insurance to compensate for the added risk of driving your children in their vehicle. If you lend your family vehicle to the sitter or nanny, be sure to add their name to your policy.
Gas or mileage reimbursement – Nannies and babysitters are often compensated for their gas and mileage. The standard reimbursement is 65.5 cents per mile.
After-school transportation FAQs
How much is after-school transportation?
After-school transportation costs $25 to $360 per week, depending on the services you use. A nanny or private sitter offers the convenience of care in your home, but after-school programs are cheaper. Ride-share services are convenient, but some parents may not feel comfortable with this arrangement.
Do after-school programs offer transportation?
Many after-school programs offer shuttle buses that transport kids from local schools to their program facilities. Larger programs like the YMCA are more likely to offer transportation than smaller programs with limited resources.
Will schools transport students to offsite after-school programs?
Some school districts offer transportation to after-school programs, while others do not. Rural areas with a high demand for transportation are more likely to offer bus service to local community center after-care programs. Check with your local school district to see what transport services are available in your area.
How do you get transportation for after-school martial arts?
Many martial arts schools have expanded their programs to include after-school care with shuttle service from local schools. These programs not only include martial arts training, but also have a daily schedule that includes homework help, arts and crafts, games, and free play.
How to find and hire an after-school transportation service or caregiver
When hiring an after-school transportation provider or caregiver, be sure to:
Get referrals from trusted family, friends, or teachers.
Look for a caregiver with several years of experience and a clean driving record.
Confirm their credentials, qualifications, and insurance coverage.
Ask for references with contact information from employers or families they've worked for.
Check their performance reviews on TrustedCare and Google.
Schedule interviews with several services that fit your needs, schedule, and budget.
Questions to ask
Ask the following questions when screening an after-school transportation service:
Is there a minimum age for your services?
Are your employees thoroughly vetted and background-checked?
Are your vehicles safe and inspected regularly?
Can I request a specific driver?
Do you have video cameras in the vehicles?
Do you provide booster seats for younger children?
Ask these additional questions when screening an after-school care provider or program:
How many years have you been providing childcare?
What qualifications and certifications do you hold?
Do you adhere to a daily schedule and enforce behavior rules?
Do you have a safe driving record?
Do you have a safe vehicle?
Do you live locally? Do you know your way around this neighborhood?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.