How much do you pay for childcare?

Michelle - posted on 04/01/2010

In Chicago, at a home daycare I payed $175/wk for an infant for hours 7:30 am -6 pm (with the ability to have occassional earlier drop off & once weekly late pick up). Once she was eating solids & on standard milk all meals were included (breakfast lunch AND dinner) so that was really great. When she turned 2.5 the cost dropped to $150/wk and then to $125/wk when she turned 4.



Now, for before/afterschool care at her school we pay $100/wk plus extra for any special classes (dance, art, etc.). Plus is super convenient being right at the school.

Aimee - posted on 04/01/2010

I live in Nebraska, and I have 2 that go to daycare. We pay $200 a week for the both of them to go. Once my youngest is out of the babyroom and into the toddler room, we will only be paying $190.00 a week.

Kelley - posted on 04/01/2010

I live in Omaha, Nebraska and i pay 155 a week for my daughter who is 2

Amy - posted on 04/01/2010

In Minneapolis, MN, I pay $285 per week ($1,140.00 per month). This center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). My son is 10.5 mos. old.

Mayra - posted on 04/01/2010

I live in FL!I don't have my kids in a Daycare yet, my mother in law babysitts for me.I have a 4 and 1 yr. old and I think I'm lucky.I pay 20 per day, which is $100.oo weekly.It's sounds alot cheaper than daycare!Soon, my daughter will start pre-school, so it'll just be my little one...but I'm not sure if i should enroll him in daycare?I feel really comfortable leaving him with his grandma.

Darylin - posted on 04/01/2010

I'm in Long Island, NY and have been fortunate to find an at home daycare provider for $185 per week, no matter what including snow days, sick days, holidays, holy days i.e. Good Friday etc....I'm still trying to figure out when Good Friday became a "holi/holy day"???



Most of my friends pay anywhere from $1000 to $2000 per month for their daycare centers and some other have in home care aka nannies which believe it or not can be less expensive!

Jeaneen - posted on 04/01/2010

For afterschool I pay 250@month and she is 10 ..... when she was 3/4 I paid 175.00 , i heard that infants were up to 230.00@ week and this is upstate ny .

Tracey - posted on 04/01/2010

I pay $95/wk but when my child starts school, it will go down to $55/wk and they send her to school in the daycare van..I live in King, NC

Rainbow - posted on 04/01/2010

I have a live-in nanny. We pay her the standard rate in BC, Canada, which works out to be a little less than $1400 / month. Food and accommodation is $325 (std rate in BC) and we deduct that from the $1400. We have 2 boys (1 and 3 years old). She is good with kids and does house work daily and cooking few times a week. We like her so far. As a bonus, we pay for her medical service plan.

Anh - posted on 03/31/2010

We live in Calgary, AB CANADA. My 2 yr old goes to a Montessouri centre and we pay $865/month for toddler age.

but it will reduce when she turns 3.

This centre is highly qualified and my daughter loves all her teachers and looks forward to seeing her friends everyday. They truly "teach" my toddler lifeskills and I am thankful as I am too busy working to put forth the time and efforts of "Teaching" my child.

hope this helps.

Carole - posted on 03/31/2010

$125 a week for daycare from a neighbor. The childcare center next to my work wanted $900 a month to watch my kid. I couldn't believe it. This is in Portland, OR.



I love my daycare provider. My son is big for his age, so we decided to start potty training him now. He is already is the largest size diapers. His daycare provider is helping to potty train him. it is awesome......

M - posted on 03/31/2010

We pay $890 per month per child for the infant to 2 years old rooms. We have 2 children (age 2 years and 3 months).

Tiffani - posted on 03/31/2010

We pay $40 a day. Our sitter was kind enough to reduce her rate when I got laid off and then found a new job with less pay. Fortunately, we're able to use my husband's cafeteria plan to get the money "back" (it's taken out of his check pre-tax).

Jessica - posted on 03/31/2010

I live in MA,USA. I have a state voucher and out of the 180 a week, my parent fee is 102.50. I was only having to pay 65 when my son participated in my sisters home daycare. She only charged 135. I now live in a different county and 180 is the cheapest I could find with someone who will take my son.

Jessica - posted on 03/31/2010

I am in Arizona and my daughter is 2 1/2 and I usually have my daughter go 3 days a weeks and it is $65. If she goes all week it is $105. After reading how much other people are paying I feel a lot better on how much mine is.

Emeraldine - posted on 03/31/2010

I pay for after school care only, $392 per month for two children.

Rachel - posted on 03/31/2010

In Denver, I spend $175 per week for my in-home care. This includes meals. I had a nanny for the first two years and the cost was $550 per week. I adored both arrangements. I wanted a private nanny in my house when my son was his youngest. The in-home situation is perfect now becasue he gets to be with 3-4 other kids his age and still be in a secure, home environment.

Sara - posted on 03/31/2010

I worked at a child development center as well. My older son attended until I left to have our second baby. We were paying $1110/month with my discount (it was a monthly tuition...no daily rates) in Ann Arbor, MI. Without my discount it is nearly $1600/ month, which is why I stay home with him now! I loved having him there though. The learning environment he was in has proven to be worth the money. We just can't afford to send them both. It would cost us just under $3000/ month. Once they go to preschool the cost is less because of the difference in teacher to child ratios

Sadaf - posted on 03/31/2010

Here in Maryland, the average day care goes from $250-$400/week....so we decided to pay a little more and get a live-in nanny for $500/week.

Kristy - posted on 03/31/2010

Mine is $780/month for my 4 year old. It's 5 days a week, and there's no break if he misses days. We're in Richmond, Va.

Tracy - posted on 03/31/2010

In Centreville, Michigan I pay $95 for one child and $130 for two.

Kari - posted on 03/31/2010

We go the YMCA and it is around $250 for infants and $200 for toddlers and up. My husband is a director for the Y so we only have to pay half that. However I have a friend with three small kids and she is paying upwards of $35000 a year for them to be in daycare.

Lisa - posted on 03/31/2010

I pay $700 per month, but that's for both work 5 days a week ($500) and school 3 days a week ($200) but the thing about it is, I can't go to a regular daycare or home daycare because I work at 4 am and most don't open until 6 or 7 am, other days, I work at 11 am and get off at 7 pm, most close between 4-6 pm. So it's hard! I really want a daycare to get my son into a cirriculum (sp??)

Jessica - posted on 03/30/2010

i pay 251 a week for 3 days a week which equals out to 1004 a month but that also gives me the freedom to drop her off from 630 am and pick up to 630pm

LaTonya - posted on 03/30/2010

Here in Charlotte NC, I pay $200.00 per week and this is a discounted rate because of my employer. My daughter is so happy at school. She has Spanish class twice a week and Sign Language class twice per week. She is 2 years old.

Lauren - posted on 03/30/2010

I pay $130/week for full-time (up to 50 hours a week) daycare for my 4 year old in a licensed day care center in Northern Indiana.

Cassandra - posted on 03/30/2010

I'm in Arizona and I have always used private in-home childcares and have never paid more than $20/day or $100/week - no matter what age my child was. She started going to daycare all day at the age of 1. When she was 4 she went to a house that offered 1/2 day preschool and 1/2 day daycare - still $20/day. The only time my daughter goes to childcare now is during the summer and it still $20/day. I guess I got luck with great rates and great care.

Melanie - posted on 03/30/2010

I have a 2 year old in the Toddler's group (age 18-30 months) and it's 35$ per day

For my 4 years old (in school full-time) it's 15.50$ for the before and after school program

I work part-time so i usually have to dish-out anywhere from 600$-800$ per month. It's alot of $$$ but I know my kids are well taken care of and have absolutely no worries when i'm at work

Jennifer - posted on 03/30/2010

My husband currently takes care of our son at home during the day while I work. He works at night, and then I'm home with my baby. We do have babysitters that come in for a few hours each day to help with transition times, and a little time off for my husband. We pay the sitters $10/hr. However I'm considering putting my son in daycare at some point, I'm definitely worried about the cost of daycare. I think some cities and states are more reasonable - San Diego can be expensive.

Kristy - posted on 03/30/2010

I live in Wilmington NC and I pay 155 a week for my two yr old. The babies are 180 and it is cheaper the older they get. I wish I could get a discount. Thank goodness I only have one and not more or I would quit my job and stay home. I am pleased with our daycare overall. They are really good to my daughter and they have strick rules and I like that.

Michelle - posted on 03/30/2010

My son is 19 weeks old and he's been in day care for 3 1/2 weeks now. So, far I really like the day care. He seems to be doing extremely well there. I pay $155 per week for Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 5:30. I forgot to add that I live on the Outer Banks (Kill Devil Hills), NC.

Stacey - posted on 03/30/2010

At age 1 I was paying 240 a week for 4 full days scheduled days 7-530 we used to drop her off around 830)

at age 2 I was paying 220 a week for 4 full days scheduled days 830-530

At age 3 I would have been paying 210 for 4 full days at the same place we now go to a city run readinesss program that is 150 a week full time can drop off as early as 7 and late as 530

Stacey - posted on 03/30/2010

At age 1 I was paying 240 a week for 4 full days scheduled days 7-530 we used to drop her off around 830)

at age 2 I was paying 220 a week for 4 full days scheduled days 830-530

At age 3 I would have been paying 210 for 4 full days at the same place we now go to a city run readinesss program that is 150 a week full time can drop off as early as 7 and late as 530

Theresa - posted on 03/30/2010

I'm in Vancouver, WA. I pay $22/day per child. It is a home daycare situation. When the kids were under age 2, I believe it was $26/day.

Erin - posted on 03/30/2010

In Montgomery county, MD i pay $165 a week for my 1 year old. That was the cheapest licensed care i have found and i lucked out, because she is pretty awesome :)

Lynette - posted on 03/30/2010

I live in California (Central) and I pay $120 per week for my two kids to go to a licensed at home provider. I have a 6 month old and a 3 year old. She is a great day care provider I my kids both love her and her family.

Cinda - posted on 03/30/2010

I live in the Denver-metro area. Around here a typical rate is $150-$200/week. For some day care 'centers', it can be more. During my searching, I found an in-home provider that charged $60/day. I was lucky & found a licensed in-home provider for $125/week. We pay 52 weeks a year regardless if he attends or not. There's no 'part-time' rate. We are paying for his 'spot'. They are open 7am-5:30pm.

I love the job our provider is doing. She's very patient with the babies & children but firm about the rules. Our son is learning skills, language, etc. quickly. The 1 thing I would suggest above all else is to communication between the parents/provider. At home, when it came time to pick up toys, I was telling my son, "Let's pick up your toys." but he wasn't really getting it or helping (only 15 months). Day care said he always helps pick up there. One day I came early when toy pick up was going on. She told the kids, "Let's clean up." I started using the same phrase at home & he IMMEDIATELY got it & started picking up his toys. It's all about keeping consistancy between day care & home.

Penny - posted on 03/30/2010

We live in Georgia and have an AWESOME sitter and only pay $75 for the week! She is not through a daycare though. She just has my son and her own son at her house. That's the way I wanted it. I was skeptical about having a bunch of kids around my newborn.

Paige - posted on 03/30/2010

I paid my mom $50.00 but I jusdt found a lady to watch her for $40.00, Im really good at finding great, bored moms/grandmothers that just want my darling daughters attention! Considering that is a HUGE fraction of my pay, Im lucky!

I work aboy 25-30 hours a week, various day/night hours, because I work a crappy retail job til Im outta school.

Trish - posted on 03/30/2010

I pay by the week (Minnesota) and it used to be $220 per week when my daughter was in the Infant room. Now it's $170 per week in the Early Toddler room. This includes a discount because we are members of a local gym that the daycare center has a deal with.

Patrice - posted on 03/30/2010

I am about to put my son into care - starting in 2 and a half weeks and the rate is $85 / day (this is for the 0 -2 age group). I am in Sydney, Australia and this is reasonable. It tends to range anywhere from about $60 / day to $120 / day. The rate that we are paying is for long day care - 7 am to 6 pm. It includes a chef at the centre, so home cooked meals, 4 nappy changes and cows milk. Formula is extra - you have to send ready made bottles for the day. The carer rate is 1 : 5 for this age group - some of the slighty dearer centres are 1 : 4 infants. Looks like care is certainly cheaper elsewhere - you are very lucky - as not only is it expensive in Australia - it is quite difficult to get in, especially for 5 days a week. We were just lucky - because we got organised in utero!!

Aisha - posted on 03/29/2010

wow i pay $130 per week for my 2yr old my mom help me out allot by picking up my 5 yr old from school but when he dont have school that is another $35 per day for him.

Rachel - posted on 03/29/2010

Here in California, I pay$100 a week/$25 a day and only for the days my son is there. My son goes to a home daycare which is so much less than anything else that can run hundreds of dollars a week even if the child isnt there they still charge... His provider is a very nice lady who Ive known for awhile which helps and she is very good with him as she does only have 3 kids to watch.

Veronica - posted on 03/29/2010

In Oklahoma we pay $135 a week no matter how many days he attends, and he loves all his teachers but (he is 2) when he turns 3 we will be looking elsewhere because we don't care for the 3 year old teachers. I was hoping something would change before then but it doesn't look like it will.

Elena - posted on 03/29/2010

In Las Vegas, my son's daycare is $600/ month, includes breakfast, lunch and snack.

Lisa - posted on 03/29/2010

Ohmy - I pay $219 per week so over $800 month - single mom 4 month old baby - no discount. I moved him from another day care that was $143 a month, but I wasn't very happy with them.

Lisa - posted on 03/29/2010

My husband works 3rd shift and I work 1st. So he waches her when he gets home at around 7:30 until I get home at 4:15, then he goes to bed. Then I'm with her until morning. Although one day a week we take her to a home care sitter so my husband can get more sleep in the middle of the week, it has seemed to help him more. We pay the home care sitter 30 for the one day. She is great and has three boys herself who just love my little girl. Plus this gives her experience with other people besides just her parents.

Elizabeth - posted on 03/29/2010

In Australia, I pay $92 a day with a discount paid by the government that drops it down to $460 a week. Once a quarter, we get 50% of the funds we've paid out (eg, of that $460 a week = $230 per week) back.



I believe the average childcare costs approximately $85 a day.

Juliana - posted on 03/29/2010

I'm also happy wth Felipe school. But is far from my house. I prefered leaving him in a school near my work, that is about half hour far from home.

Jackie - posted on 03/29/2010

I pay $200 per week, no matter how many days my child goes. He is in the toddler class. Infants are $220. The school he goes to is worth every penny and more. I'm so lucky to have an amazing school right near my neighborhood. They are open M-F 630A-630P. (Houston, Texas)