How much does in-home daycare cost?
How much does in-home daycare cost?
$25 – $45 per day
$125 – $225 per week
$540 – $1,000 per month
$6,500 – $12,000 per year
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.
| 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.
| 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 |
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.
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
| 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 |
In-home daycare pros and cons
| Daycare type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Home-based daycare |
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| Center-based daycare |
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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?