What is the average cost of daycare in California?
What is the average cost of daycare in California?
$700 – $2,200 average cost per month
$8,300 – $26,800 average cost per year
Average cost of daycare in California
Choosing the right childcare facility is crucial for your child's safety and wellbeing. However, the cost of daycare can vary significantly depending on the type of program and services included.
The average cost of daycare in California is $700 to $2,200 per month or $8,300 to $26,800 per year, depending on the child's age, the number of days per week they attend, and your location. Most daycare centers accept children who are 6 weeks to 12 years old. Generally, the younger your child is the more you'll pay for daycare.
| Child's age | Average monthly cost* | Average annual cost* |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,100 – $2,200 | $13,500 – $26,800 |
| Toddler | $900 – $2,000 | $10,800 – $24,000 |
| Preschooler | $700 – $1,700 | $8,300 – $20,500 |
*For full-day care
Cost of daycare in California by schedule
You'll pay more if your child is in daycare full-time or 5 days per week than for half days or part-time care. Keep in mind that some facilities calculate their rates differently than others. After-school care costs $150 to $500 per month for school-age kids.
| Days per week | Average cost per month for full days | Average cost per month for half days |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $1,000 – $2,200 | $600 – $2,000 |
| 3 | $800 – $2,000 | $400 – $1,500 |
| 2 | $700 – $1,500 | $300 – $1,000 |
Many daycares offer drop-in rates, which means you can choose when your child goes to daycare with a more flexible schedule. These rates range from $100 to $800 per month on average.
California daycare cost factors
The actual cost for daycare in California will mostly depend on factors like:
Location: Areas in Southern California like Los Angeles County have a lot of daycare options with a wide range of prices. San Mateo and San Fransisco County have some of the highest rates. In comparison, the national average for child care costs is $5,000 to $18,000 per year.
Facility quality: Daycare centers with newer buildings or upgraded equipment tend to charge more for overhead than older or simpler locations, but it may be worth the extra cost.
Staff: Some daycare centers require certifications or a certain level of experience, which means they offer a safer environment for your child but typically cost more.
Special events: Some daycare centers offer field trips, special celebrations, or holiday parties. They often charge higher rates or ask for contributions for extracurriculars.
Extra fees: Many facilities charge fees for late pickups, so make sure your schedule aligns with their operating hours.
Supplies: If your child is under a certain age, you'll have to provide extra diapers, wipes, and spare clothing. Daycares are often required to change diapers and pull-ups at least once every 2 to 3 hours, so the cost of diapers can add up.
Discounts: Some daycare centers offer discounts for siblings, military members, or employees. You may also be able to qualify for assistance if your income is low enough.
Daycare services
Each daycare center will be different in terms of what they offer and what services they provide. Some centers have more activities or a focus on learning and lessons. However, most childcare facilities offer most or all of the following:
Age-appropriate lessons
Arts and crafts
Diaper changes and potty training
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and 1 to 2 snacks)
Naptime
Outside play
Trusted daycare chains like KinderCare cost more than average at about $680 to $2,400 per month because of their high educational standards and staff requirements.
Subsidized daycare options in California
There are several state and federal programs that can help ease the financial burden of childcare for qualified families:
CalWORKS Child Care: CalWORKS has three stages that help qualified families by giving vouchers to parents while they participate in the welfare-to-work program.
Migrant Alternative Payment Program (CMAP): This program issues vouchers to eligible migrant families to purchase childcare within California's central valley. This program typically helps children from birth through 12 years of age.
California State Preschool Program (CSPP): The CSPP provides part-day and full-day childcare services with a class curriculum, meals, and snacks to children. These services are available through local colleges, community agencies, and private nonprofits.
Working Connections Child Care (WCCC): This service provides financial assistance to low-income families and enables parents to work or go to school.
Head Start / Early Head Start: This federally funded program offers early childhood education, health services, and family support to low-income families. This helps children specifically from birth to age five.
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP): This is a state-funded preschool program for ages 3 to 4. It focuses on getting ready for kindergarten and academic success.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK): The initiative helps provide high-quality preschool experiences to all children, no matter what their family's income or background is.
FAQs about childcare in California
Does foster care pay for daycare in California?
Yes, foster parents can receive assistance to help cover daycare costs, although the assistance may not cover the full cost. There are many state and county-level programs, including the California Department of Social Services or the California Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
Is daycare tax deductible in California?
Yes, you can write off daycare expenses in California. The Child Care and Dependent Care Credit lets you write off 35% of up to $3,000 for one child or 35% of up to $6,000 for 2+ children. This includes expenses for a traditional daycare center, in-home care, summer camp, nanny, or even babysitters.
Are there free daycares in California?
Yes, you can find free daycare in California through programs like Head Start and the California State Preschool Program. Keep in mind that free daycare is usually only available for families who meet the income eligibility criteria.
When are daycares usually open in California?
Most daycare centers are open Monday to Friday from around 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, but the exact times vary quite a bit from location to location. Some centers don't open until 8:00 AM and close as early as 4:30 PM.
Finding the best daycare centers near you
When searching for daycare centers in California, follow these steps:
Read reviews on TrustedCare and Google.
Visit the daycare center in person to make sure it's clean and in good condition.
Meet the staff and teachers and make sure they're kind and warm.
Check out our Daycare License Lookup guide to confirm the daycare center is licensed and has no violations.
Get a written price quote or contract before your child's first day there.
Follow the set payment schedule you arranged with the center director.
Questions to ask childcare providers
When interviewing a local daycare director, ask the following questions:
How long have you been working with kids?
Do all your teachers have CPR and first aid training?
What room will my child be in?
How many children are in each of your classes?
What vouchers or assistance options do you offer?
What are your hours?
Are you closed on any holidays? Which ones?
How much outside time do the kids usually get?
What kind of meals and snacks do you serve?
How often do teachers send pictures or updates?
What's your policy for notifying parents for biting or injuries?
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.