How Much Is Daycare for an Infant?

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The cost of daycare is one of the most important topics among parents. Today there are many options for parents with young children, specifically infants, but what you will pay depends on the options that you choose.

Considerations

Before a cost can be determined, the individual factors affecting each parent and baby must be considered. For example, depending on where you live and how much time the child actually needs care will affect the price of daycare. Small children and those with special needs require more hands-on and focused care, which is generally more expensive. If you want to have your infant cared for in your home as opposed to using a center or home-based site, you should expect to pay a little more.

Averages, Highs and Lows

According to BabyCenter.com, parents of infants pay an average of $679 per month for a daycare center or facility. On the higher end, averaging $917 per month are Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Minnesota and New York. On the lower end, in Lousiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Nebraska, the average cost for daycare is less than $500 a month.

Home-based daycare is an option that can provide some financial relief. BabyCenter.com quotes the average cost for a home-based daycare as $525 per month. Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and New York have the highest rates for home-based daycare with costs averaging at $667 per month while West Virginia, South Carolina and Kansas average lower at $417.

In-home care, such as a nanny, would generally be the most expensive option. For full time care, BabyCenter.com states that the average cost ranges from $2,167 to $3,033 per month.

Assistance

There are many local and government programs, such as grants and tax credits, that assist parents with daycare costs. CostHelper.com has a list of avenues where individuals could seek help or get more information about assistance.