How much does in-home daycare cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does in-home daycare cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does in-home daycare cost?

$25 – $45per day
$125 – $225per week
$540 – $1,000per month
$6,500 – $12,000per year

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$25 – $45 per day

$125 – $225 per week

$540 – $1,000 per month

$6,500 – $12,000 per year


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tamatha Hazen
Written by
Tamatha Hazen
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa

In-home child care rates

In-home child care rates are $125 to $225 per week or $540 to $1,000 per month. Licensed home daycares charge $585 to $1,000 per month for infant care and $565 to $820 per month for toddlers. In-home care for school-aged children costs $540 to $850 per month.

In-home child care cost estimator - chart
In-home child care cost estimator - chart
In-home child care cost estimator
Rate Infant Toddler School-aged (3+ years old)
Per day  $27 – $45 $26 – $38 $25 – $40
Per week  $135 – $225 $130 – $190 $125 – $200
Per month  $585 – $1,000 $565 – $820 $540 – $850
Per year  $7,000 – $12,000 $6,800 – $10,000 $6,500 – $10,000

In-home child care rates per week

In-home child care centers charge $125 to $225 per week for full-time care or $50 to $135 per week for part-time care 2 or 3 days per week.

Many family daycare centers offer flexible half-day sessions for $15 to $25 per day for care only in the morning or afternoon hours.

In-home child care weekly rates
Days per week Half-day Full-day
2 days per week $30 – $50 $50 – $90
3 days per week $45 – $75 $75 – $135
5 days per week $75 – $125 $125 – $225

Children playing at an in-home daycare.
Children playing at an in-home daycare.

In-home child care rates per day

In-home child care rates are $25 to $45 per day for the first child, depending on their age. Siblings typically receive a 10% discount.

In-home child care rates per hour

In-home daycares offer more flexible schedules than commercial child care centers but rarely offer hourly rates or day care services by the hour.

In-home child care rates per month

In-home child care costs $540 to $1,000 per month on average. Family daycare centers limit the total number of students in each age group to ensure proper supervision and safety, typically grouping infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with one or two caregivers.

Get free estimates from daycares near you.

In-home daycare cost factors

The following factors affect the cost of in-home daycare:

  • Child's age – Infant and toddler care is more hands-on, requiring fewer children assigned to each adult caregiver.

  • Number of children – Child care rates are per child, with most caregivers offering a discount of up to 10% for sibling enrollment.

  • Hours – In-home daycares often have more flexible hours and offer part-time schedules, half-day sessions, after-school care, and drop-in care.

  • Supply fees – In-home daycares may charge a supply fee to cover the cost of diapers, wipes, laundry service, and craft supplies. Others ask parents to provide needed supplies or raise tuition to cover supply costs.

  • Snacks and meals– Family daycares may provide meals and snacks to ensure everyone eats the same healthy foods each day.

In-home daycare cost vs. child care centers

Child care cost comparison
Care type Hours per week Average cost per week
In-home family care center 35 – 40 $115 – $185
Daycare center cost 35 – 55 $115 – $350
Nanny cost 35 – 40 $525 – $1,000
Preschool cost 20 – 35 $100 – $325
After-school care cost 10 – 25 $150 – $500
Babysitter cost 10 – 40 $140 – $800

Young children working on arts and crafts in day care.
Young children working on arts and crafts in day care.

In-home daycare pros and cons

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In-home daycare vs. child care center
Daycare type Pros Cons
Home-based daycare
  • Lower cost
  • Smaller facility
  • Fewer children
  • A home-like environment with strong bonds formed
  • Mixed age groups
  • Flexible schedules and policies
  • No substitute caregiver for illness/vacation
  • Limited socialization with same-aged kids
  • Fewer enrichment opportunities
  • Likely more screen time
Center-based daycare
  • Better security
  • Highly trained/educated staff
  • Larger staff to cover absences
  • Educationally enriched curriculum
  • Technology-assisted learning
  • Higher tuition rates
  • Less flexible schedules and policies
  • Potential for high turnover, less bond with the caregiver
  • Larger class sizes
  • Exposure to more germs

How to save money on in-home child care

To save money on in-home child care, consider these other child care options:

  • A nanny share costs $1,500 to $2,600 per month per week to split the cost of a nanny with another family.

  • An au pair costs $1,400 to $2,100 per month to provide child care for a host family as part of a cultural exchange program.

  • A parent co-op costs $50 to $400 per month to share child care duties with other parents with flexible schedules.

  • Non-profits, church-based, or YMCA child care programs offer sliding scale fees based on income.

Tips for finding and hiring a home daycare

When searching for an in-home daycare, be sure to:

  • Ask for referrals from trusted friends and family.

  • Look for licensed daycares with a location, hours, and rates to suit your needs.

  • Check their reviews on TrustedCare and Google.

  • Visit several home daycares to evaluate the indoor and outdoor spaces. Make sure the spaces are safe, friendly, and clean.

  • Confirm the number of students and caregivers on hand each day.

  • Ask about the daily schedule for structured activities, free play, and naptime.

  • Make sure the day includes enriching, hands-on, and age-appropriate activities, with plenty of outdoor play and exposure to nature.

  • Request a list of references and ask them what they like/dislike about the daycare.

  • Visit the daycare with your child to see if they are comfortable with the setting.

  • Sign up for the waiting list as early as possible, especially for high-demand infant programs.

Questions to ask

  • Are you a licensed and accredited daycare?

  • Are you CPR/First aid trained?

  • What are your class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?

  • What are your hours and rates?

  • How do you handle discipline?

  • Do you help with potty training?

  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outside?

  • What enrichment programs and activities are offered?

  • Are meals and snacks provided?

  • How do you handle food allergies?

  • What is your payment policy?


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