Average Home Daycare Rates: What Providers Charge in 2026

Typical home daycare rates by age

Across the US, home daycare usually costs less than a child care center, but it is still a major bill for families. As a rough guide, many parents pay about $150 to $300 per week for full-time family child care. Where you live can push your rate below or above that range.

Infant care costs the most, because babies need more care and take spots that rules limit. Toddler care is a little lower. Preschool care is often the lowest of the three, because one provider can care for more children in that age group. Part-day and after-school care cost less again.

• Infants (under 12 months): often about $200 to $350 per week
• Toddlers (1 to 2 years): often about $175 to $300 per week
• Preschoolers (3 to 5 years): often about $150 to $275 per week
• School-age, before and after school: often about $75 to $150 per week

Why rates change so much by state

Child care is a local business. Rent, home prices, wages, and insurance all cost more in some states than others, and tuition follows those costs. Care in big coastal cities often costs two or three times what care costs in a small rural town.

Rules play a part too. States set their own staff-to-child ratios and license limits. Where one provider may care for fewer children, each spot must cost more for the business to survive. For context, the national average price of child care was about $13,184 per year in 2025, counting all types of care together. That average hides huge gaps between states and cities.

Use your state's market rate survey

Almost every state publishes a child care market rate survey. It shows what providers charge in each county or region, often split by age group and by home or center care. States use it to set subsidy rates, but it is free for anyone to read.

This survey is the best tool you have for pricing. Find your area, find family child care, and look at the rates for your age groups. If most homes near you charge $225 a week for toddlers, that is your market talking. Price far below it and you leave money on the table. Price far above it and you must show parents why you are worth more.

Home daycare vs center prices

Family child care usually costs less than a center for the same age group. Homes have lower overhead. There is no separate building rent, no front desk staff, and no layers of managers to pay.

That lower price is a selling point, but do not race to the bottom. Parents choose home daycare for small groups, mixed ages, and a close bond with one caregiver. Many will pay a fair rate for that. Price on your value and your costs, not only on being the cheapest option in town.

Set your rate with your own numbers

Market rates tell you what parents pay. Your own costs tell you what you must charge. Add up your monthly food, supplies, insurance, and other costs. Then add the pay you need to earn. Divide by your spots and your open weeks, and you have your floor rate.

If your floor is above the local market, you have work to do. You may need to cut costs, fill more spots, or add value parents want, like longer hours or meals included. If your floor is below the market, you have room to charge a healthy rate and still compete.

Common questions

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Disclaimer: HomeDaycareTools.com provides free calculators and general information for planning purposes only. Nothing on this site is tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules, CACFP rates and licensing rules change — confirm your figures with IRS Publication 587, your CACFP sponsoring organization, your state licensing agency, or a qualified tax professional before filing or signing anything.