Daycare cost falls as a child grows. The most expensive year is the first; each later stage groups more children per caregiver, so the price drops.
Estimate — verify with the source. US medians from the 2018 federal National Database of Childcare Prices.
US median center-based cost by age
| Age group | Per week | Per year (× 52) | vs infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0–23 mo) | $154 | $7,987 | — |
| Toddler (24–35 mo) | $140 | $7,280 | −9% |
| Preschool (3–5 yr) | $125 | $6,500 | −19% |
| School-age | $106 | $5,523 | −31% |
Why the cost drops
It’s all about child-to-staff ratios. Infant rooms need one adult for every three to four babies; preschool rooms can run one teacher to eight to ten children; school-age before/after care is part-day and higher-ratio still. Fewer staff per child means a lower price.
Plan for the front-loaded cost
Because infant care is the peak, budget for the highest cost in year one and expect relief as your child moves up. A family with an infant and a preschooler will see total cost ease noticeably once the younger child ages into the preschool room.
Every state page shows this age curve for your state, and the calculator lets you compare ages directly. For the care-setting angle, see center vs in-home daycare cost.