What is the average cost of daycare in Indiana?
What is the average cost of daycare in Indiana?
$800 – $1,200 average cost per month
$9,600 – $14,400 average cost per year
Average cost of daycare in Indiana
Selecting the best daycare facility is vital for ensuring your child's safety and development. However, choosing a daycare can be a complex process, and childcare costs represent a major expense for Indiana families.
The average cost of daycare in Indiana is $800 to $1,200 per month or $9,600 to $14,400 per year, depending on the facility, your child's age, and whether they attend full-time or part-time. The cost of childcare in Indiana also varies significantly based on location, with rates in urban areas often running higher than the statewide average.
| Child’s age | Average cost per month | Average cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $850 – $1,200 | $10,200 – $14,400 |
| Toddler / Preschooler | $800 – $1,100 | $9,600 – $13,200 |
Cost of childcare in Indiana by schedule
Daycare fees are highest for full-time care 5 days per week compared to part-time or half-day options. Since pricing structures vary by facility, be sure to get quotes that outline the rates for your preferred schedule.
| Daycare schedule | Average cost per month | Average cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $800 – $1,200 | $9,600 – $14,400 |
| Part-time | $500 – $800 | $6,000 – $9,600 |
| After-school care | $150 – $500 | $1,800 – $6,000 |
What affects the cost of daycare in Indiana?
Indiana daycare costs vary significantly by location, and prices in urban areas are typically much higher than in rural ones. In addition to location, these other factors will affect your cost:
Daycare quality: Higher-end daycares charge premium rates but offer superior facilities, smaller child-to-teacher ratios, and recognized accreditation.
Staff qualifications: Daycare centers that employ staff with extensive experience and advanced education, such as early childhood development degrees or specialized certifications, generally command higher fees.
In-home daycare vs. center: Home-based daycares tend to be more affordable than dedicated centers but provide fewer amenities, and caregivers may have limited professional credentials or training.
Special events & activities: The base fee usually includes occasional celebrations, but extra charges often apply for organized field trips or evening childcare services.
Late pickup fees: To ensure timely pickup and compensate staff for working beyond scheduled hours, daycare centers typically impose strict late fees ranging from $1 to $5 per minute after closing.
Supplies: While some facilities bundle all supplies into their rates, others require parents to provide items or pay extra fees, particularly for essential items like meals and diapers.
Additional services: Monthly costs can increase significantly with supplementary programs like academic activities, foreign language classes, or musical instruction. Some premium daycare centers include these in their base fees but charge higher overall rates.
Discounts: Many daycare centers offer discounts if you pay monthly instead of weekly. Some centers also offer discounts for employees, military members, or families enrolling multiple siblings. Low-income families may qualify for financial assistance.
Daycare services
The services and activities provided vary by daycare center, but most centers offer these basic services:
Meals and snacks
Naps
Outside play
Arts and crafts
Age-appropriate lessons
Diaper changes
Potty training
Other childcare options
These other childcare options typically cost more than daycare but may offer more flexibility tailored to your needs and schedule:
A full-time nanny costs $2,300 to $4,300 per month.
A babysitter costs $2,200 to $3,400 per month.
An au pair costs $1,400 to $2,100 per month.
Daycare assistance in Indiana
Indiana offers several options for financial assistance to help cover the cost of daycare:
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) helps low-income families pay for daycare.
On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) provides grants to eligible families so 4-year-olds can attend a high-quality pre-K program.
Head Start & Early Head Start (EHS) are free programs that help to prepare children from low-income families for kindergarten. These programs may include free or low-cost child care at participating centers.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides assistance to eligible families with children.
FAQs about childcare in Indiana
Does foster care pay for daycare in Indiana?
Foster families in Indiana are eligible for a stipend to help cover daycare costs. The stipend amount depends on the child's age and may cover all or a portion of the cost, depending on the daycare center's rates. Foster families may also qualify for childcare assistance through Indiana's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF).
Do daycare centers need to be licensed in Indiana?
Daycare centers in Indiana must be licensed. In-home daycare providers in Indiana need to be licensed if they look after six or more children. Check out our Daycare License Lookup guide to confirm the daycare you're considering has a valid license, has no violations, and has passed all inspections.
When are daycares open in Indiana?
Daycare centers in Indiana are typically open Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. However, business hours vary from one daycare provider to the next. Some centers don't open until 7:00 AM, and some stay open later than others.
Many daycare centers are closed on holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.
To avoid paying fees for late pickups, be sure to confirm the schedule for the daycare center you choose.
Finding the best daycare near you
When evaluating daycare centers in Indiana, follow these steps to help you choose the best provider for your child:
Visit several daycare centers in person to evaluate the facility and staff.
Confirm the center is clean, safe, and in good condition.
Meet with the staff to make sure they're kind, friendly, and empathetic.
Confirm the daycare center is licensed, has passed all inspections, and has no violations.
Ask about staff qualifications, staff-to-child ratios, operating hours, services and activities included, and supplies provided.
Get a contract in writing before your child's first day.
Questions to ask childcare providers
Ask these important questions when visiting local daycare centers:
How long has your daycare center been operating?
What qualifications and certifications do the staff members have?
Do your staff members have CPR and first aid training?
What is the staff-to-child ratio?
What meals and snacks do you provide?
Do your rates include any other supplies, such as diapers or wipes?
How much outside playtime do the children get?
What other enrichment activities do you offer?
How often do your staff send pictures or updates?
What are your hours of operation?
Are you closed on holidays, and if so, which ones?
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.