What is the average cost of daycare in Minnesota?
What is the average cost of daycare in Minnesota?
$1,200 – $2,400 average cost per month (infant)
$900 – $2,000 average cost per month (toddler)
Average price of daycare in Minnesota
The average cost of daycare in Minnesota is $900 to $2,400 per month or $10,800 to $28,800 per year, depending on your child's age, the type of care you select, and your location within the state. Childcare costs are highest in the Twin Cities metro area encompassing Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs.
| Child’s age | Average cost per month* | Average cost per year* |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,200 – $2,400 | $14,400 – $28,800 |
| Toddler | $900 – $2,000 | $10,800 – $24,000 |
*For full-time care
Center vs. in-home daycare cost in Minnesota
The type of daycare provider you choose affects both the cost and type of experience your child receives. Center-based programs offer structured educational curricula, trained staff with early childhood education backgrounds, and comprehensive facilities, while in-home daycare offers a more intimate, family-like environment.
The table below compares the average cost at a daycare center versus an in-home daycare in Minnesota.
| Child’s age | Daycare center cost per month* |
In-home daycare cost per month* |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $1,600 – $2,400 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Toddler | $1,300 – $2,000 | $900 – $1,400 |
*For full-time care
Cost of daycare in Minnesota for infants
The average cost of daycare for infants in Minnesota is $1,200 to $2,400 per month for full-time care five days per week, with lower rates for part-time care. Infant care requires higher staff-to-child ratios and specialized attention, making it the most expensive age group for daycare services.
The table below shows the average cost for full-time and part-time infant daycare in Minnesota.
| Daycare schedule | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Full-time | $1,200 – $2,400 |
| Part-time | $1,000 – $2,000 |
Cost of childcare in Minnesota for toddlers
The average cost of childcare for toddlers in Minnesota is $900 to $2,000 per month for five days per week of full-time care, with lower rates for half-day care or fewer days per week. Toddler programs incorporate more educational activities, structured play, and social interaction along with potty training support.
The table below shows the average cost for full-time and part-time daycare for toddlers in Minnesota.
| Daycare schedule | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Full-time | $900 – $2,000 |
| Part-time | $700 – $1,600 |
What affects the cost of daycare in Minnesota?
Several factors affect the cost of childcare in Minnesota:
Child's age: Infant care costs more than toddler care due to the additional staff and specialized care needed.
Center vs. in-home daycare: Childcare centers charge higher rates but offer structured educational programs, certified staff, and advanced facilities. In-home family daycare providers charge less and have smaller group sizes but may not offer the same enrichment programs.
Program quality: Daycare centers with enhanced educational curricula and specialized enrichment programs like music or foreign language instruction charge more.
Staff qualifications and certifications: Programs that employ teachers with early childhood education degrees tend to charge higher rates.
Supplies included: Some daycares include diapers, meals, snacks, and educational supplies in their base rate, while others charge separately for these items or require parents to provide their own food and supplies.
Additional services: Centers that offer additional services like transportation, field trips, or extended hours may charge more.
Many daycares offer reduced rates for families enrolling multiple children simultaneously, paying tuition by the month instead of the week, or military personnel and first responders.
Regional differences in Minnesota daycare costs
Childcare costs vary significantly across different regions of Minnesota:
The Twin Cities metro area encompassing Minneapolis and St. Paul has some of the highest daycare prices in the state.
Regional centers like Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud have more moderate daycare rates, but prices still run higher than the national average.
Rural areas primarily rely on in-home daycare providers, which charge less than daycare centers. However, the number of these providers is declining, resulting in fewer choices and longer waiting lists for rural families.
Daycare cost vs. other childcare options
There are other childcare alternatives that may offer more flexibility to better suit your needs and schedule but they cost more than daycare:
A nanny costs $2,300 to $4,300 per month.
A babysitter costs $2,200 to $3,400 per month.
An au pair costs $1,500 to $2,250 per month.
Childcare assistance in Minnesota
Minnesota offers several financial assistance programs to help families cover childcare expenses:
Minnesota's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible low-income families pay for childcare while parents work, look for jobs, go to school, or participate in activities within an employment plan.
The Early Learning Scholarships (ELS) program offers scholarships to help families afford high-quality child care and early education programs. Families can use these scholarships to cover copays and some other charges the Child Care Assistance Program cannot pay.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve children from birth to age 5, promoting school readiness by offering a wide range of educational and supportive services at no cost to qualifying families.
FAQs about childcare in Minnesota
Do daycares in Minnesota need to be licensed?
Minnesota requires licensing for all providers who care for children from more than one family. Licensed childcare centers provide care in a facility designed specifically for that purpose, while licensed family childcare providers operate in their own residence.
Childcare providers must meet comprehensive health and safety standards, pass regular inspections, and maintain specific minimum staff-to-child ratios. Always verify the provider's current license status before enrolling your child.
How far in advance should I search for daycare in Minnesota?
Start your search for childcare at least 6 to 12 months before you need care. It's never too early to start looking for childcare since many popular daycare centers have waitlists. Applying early gives you time to visit multiple facilities, compare programs, complete enrollment paperwork, and secure a spot on the waitlist if needed.
Do daycare prices in Minnesota include meals?
Many daycares include meals, snacks, or both in their base tuition rate, but this varies by provider. Always confirm the provider's meal and snack policies and any related fees during your initial consultation.
How to find the best daycare near you
When evaluating daycare centers in Minnesota, follow these steps to help you choose the best provider for your child:
Read reviews of daycares near you on TrustedCare and Google.
Visit each daycare in person to observe daily activities and interactions between staff and children.
Meet with directors and teachers to assess their qualifications, experience, and approach to early childhood education.
Confirm the facility is safe, clean, has age-appropriate equipment, and includes adequate indoor and outdoor play spaces.
Ask about operating hours, holiday closures, base tuition rates, and services and supplies included.
Confirm the daycare has an active license and no violations.
Questions to ask childcare providers
Ask these important questions when visiting local daycare centers:
How long has your daycare been open?
What are your hours of operation, and which holidays are you closed?
What is your current child-to-staff ratio for my child's age group?
What qualifications and certifications do your teachers have?
Do all staff members maintain current CPR and first aid certifications?
What enrichment activities and educational programs do you offer?
What meals and snacks do you provide?
Which supplies and services are included in your base tuition rate?
How much outdoor playtime do children receive daily?
What is your sick child policy?
What is your approach to discipline?
How do you communicate with parents about their child's daily activities and progress?
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.