What full-time care really costs, how the four main arrangements differ on price, and the questions and programs that can bring the monthly number down.
Childcare is one of the largest expenses a young family faces, and comparing providers is harder than comparing most other purchases. Each type of care quotes its price differently, and financial help is spread across federal, state and local offices. This guide covers what care costs, the main options, and the programs that may lower the bill.
What Full-Time Childcare Actually Costs
Start with the national number, then get local quotes. Child Care Aware of America found the national average annual price of child care was $13,184 in 2025. In 2024, the same analysis put the average at $13,128 and estimated it would take 10% of a married couple with children’s median income, or 35% of a single parent with children’s median household income, to afford it. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers care affordable when it costs a family receiving federal assistance no more than 7% of annual income. Typical prices sit far above that benchmark.
Prices vary widely by location and by the child’s age. In 45 states plus the District of Columbia, the average annual price of center care for two children exceeded mortgage payments, and in 41 states plus DC, average infant care in a center exceeded in-state university tuition. Get written quotes from providers near you.
The Main Care Options, Compared
Here is how the four common arrangements differ on price and practicality.
| Option | How the price works | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Child care center | Usually a weekly or monthly rate, often set by age group | Waitlists are common; ask exactly what the rate includes |
| Family child care home | A licensed caregiver cares for a small group in their own home | Often more flexible hours; backup coverage depends on one person |
| Nanny | A rate agreed directly with a caregiver who comes to you | No other families share the cost; responsibilities and terms are yours to set |
| Relative care | Whatever arrangement your family agrees on, sometimes unpaid | Informal; agree in advance on what happens when your relative is unavailable |
One term worth understanding is licensed. A licensed program has met health and safety requirements set by your state or territory, and Childcare.gov explains what licensing means and why it matters for keeping children safe. A 2025 national analysis found center supply fell slightly while family child care homes grew, so waiting lists are common in many areas.
What Questions to Ask When You Visit
A visit is where the real price surfaces. Ask each provider:
- Is the program licensed?
- What does the rate include, and what is billed separately?
- What are the hours, and what is charged for late pickup?
- Are there discounts for siblings, or scholarships from the provider or a local nonprofit?
- Do you accept state child care assistance vouchers?
- Is there a waiting list fee?
Your state’s online child care search, reachable through Childcare.gov, may show whether a provider participates in a government assistance program or offers its own discounts.
Money saver: Ask every provider the same questions and write down the answers. Comparisons only work when each quote covers the same things.
Subsidies and Tax Help That Can Lower the Bill
Child care financial assistance, also called vouchers, certificates or subsidies, is federal Child Care and Development Fund money that helps families with low income pay for care so parents can work or attend school. Eligibility rules differ by state. Indiana, for example, requires gross monthly income at or below 135% of the federal poverty level and serves children under 13, or older children with documented special needs. In Minnesota, most families receiving assistance pay a copayment, a share of the cost. Waiting lists exist in some states, so apply early.
Head Start and Early Head Start are free, federally funded programs for families that meet income requirements. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children under 3, while Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5. State-funded prekindergarten also serves children 3 to 5, and some states offer it at low or no cost, part-day or full-day.
Military families have separate routes. MilitaryChildCare.com lists military-run programs, which charge on a sliding fee scale based on family income, and fee assistance exists for those without access to on-base care. Service members can also set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax earnings in a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to cover care costs. Local nonprofits and individual providers may also offer their own fee assistance or scholarships.
How to Build Childcare Into Your Monthly Budget
Convert every quote to a monthly figure; some providers quote weekly. Add registration fees, waiting list fees and supplies, then set the total against your take-home pay. If you receive a subsidy, the copayment belongs in the budget too. If little room remains, cutting fixed costs elsewhere can help, and a subscription audit is one way to find money you are already spending.
Trade-Offs Worth Thinking Through Before You Sign
The lowest rate is not always the cheapest arrangement. A rate that excludes meals, diapers or extended hours can end up costing more than a rate that includes everything. Home-based care may offer a smaller group and flexible hours, while a center may offer more structure and backup staff when a caregiver is out. Care from a relative can cost the least, but the arrangement is personal, so talk through expectations early.
Timing matters too. A waitlist at an affordable program may mean paying more for months before a spot opens. The goal is knowing the full monthly number for each option before you sign anything.
A sensible first step: pick three providers near you and ask each for the full monthly rate in writing, including what it covers. Childcare is rarely the last large family cost, either. Our guide to the real cost of a season of youth sports covers what often arrives once children reach school age, and how to save when there’s almost nothing left over can help if the monthly math feels impossible.
Quick wins
- The national average annual price of child care was $13,184 in 2025, but prices vary widely by location, so local quotes are the numbers that matter.
- The four main options are child care centers, family child care homes, nannies and relatives, and each quotes its price differently.
- Federal subsidies, Head Start, state prekindergarten, military programs and provider discounts can all reduce the bill, with rules that vary by state.
- Waiting lists are common for both assistance programs and providers, so apply early.
- Compare providers on the full monthly cost, including what the rate excludes, before signing anything.
You might be wondering
How much does full-time childcare cost?
Child Care Aware of America put the national average at $13,184 per year in 2025. Prices vary widely by location and by the child’s age, so quotes from providers near you are the numbers that matter.
Can I get help paying for childcare?
Possibly. States run child care assistance programs with federal funding, Head Start and Early Head Start are free for income-eligible families, and some states offer low-cost prekindergarten. Rules differ by state, so Childcare.gov is a good starting point.
What is a copayment in childcare assistance?
Most families who receive assistance pay a portion of the cost themselves, called a copayment. The amount depends on your state’s schedule and your income.
Should I choose a center, a home-based provider or a relative?
Each involves trade-offs. Centers offer structure and backup staff, home-based care offers small groups and flexible hours, and relative care can cost the least. Compare the full monthly number for each before deciding.
These tips are general information. Prices, plans and programs vary by provider and location, so check the details with your provider before you switch or sign up.