Sibling Discount Calculator
Set your full rate and your sibling discounts — see each child’s rate and the family’s real totals.
Your rates
Results update as you type. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
| Child 1, per week | — |
| Child 2, per week | — |
| Child 3, per week | — |
| Family total, per month | — |
| Family total, per year | — |
| Family saves, per year | — |
A month is a year divided by 12 (about 4.33 weeks). The savings row shows what the discount costs you versus full price for every child.
How sibling discounts usually work
Most home providers who offer a sibling discount take a percentage off the additional children — 10% for the second child is the most common figure, with a slightly larger discount for a third. With the defaults here, a family with two children at a $225 full rate pays $225 plus $202.50 — $427.50 a week, about $22,230 over a 52-week year. The family saves $1,170 a year, which is exactly the marketing value of the discount: it is often cheaper than advertising for a replacement family, and sibling families tend to stay for years as younger children age into care.
Two contract details matter more than the percentage. First, say which child the discount follows when the oldest leaves for school — most providers move the remaining child to the full rate or to the second-child rate, and parents should know which, in writing. Second, decide whether the discount applies to part-time schedules the same way; our guide to part-time daycare rates works through those mixes. Compare any discount against your cost-based rate from the Tuition Rate Calculator — a discount that drops a spot below your break-even rate is a slow leak, not a perk.
Sibling discount questions
How much sibling discount is normal for home daycare?
Between 5% and 15% off the second child’s rate is typical, with 10% the most common single figure. Some providers discount only the younger (cheaper-to-serve) child’s spot or offer a flat dollar amount instead. There is no required discount — many full programs offer none.
Should the discount apply to the oldest or youngest child?
Providers usually charge full rate for the first (or most expensive) spot and discount the additional children. State it plainly in your contract, including what happens when the oldest child ages out.
Does a sibling discount hurt my income much?
On the defaults here it costs $1,170 a year for one two-child family. Weighed against keeping a spot filled and avoiding a gap between families, most providers find a modest discount pays for itself — but run your own rates through the calculator before promising it.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives planning estimates based on the figures you enter. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Confirm important numbers with the official source or a qualified professional.