Child Care Costs

Child care costs are a major expense for most families. Surprisingly, although costs are high, many times child care providers are not earning much more than minimum wage. Reasons why child care can be so expensive include the following:

• Low  ratios of children to adults in programs for infants and toddlers
• Qualifications of the provider or teachers
• Geographic location
• Insurance costs  
• Age and developmentally appropriate equipment and supplies
• Healthy and nutritious food
• Type of child care (Center or Home)
• Operational expenses such as, employee, rent, utilities, etc.

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Generally speaking, hiring an in-home caregiver (nanny) tends to be the most expensive form of care, followed by child care centers and family child care homes. Cost of school age programs and camps varies according to the type of program. You may want to plan for additional fees such as registration, activity, transportation, meals, or even a late payment or late pick-up fee. If you receive financial assistance you may have to pay a co-pay in addition the any fees a program may charge above the weekly or monthly tuition. 


 


DES Child Care Market Rate Survey
Listed below are the average (median) weekly full time costs of child care. Rates are based on the 2018 DES Market Rate Survey. These are averages only. The cost of child care varies from county to county and within individual communities. Each provider sets their own rates.

DES District 1 Maricopa County

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$225.00	$100.00	$150.00	$150.00
1 & 2 years	$200.00	$100.00	$140.00	$150.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$170.00	$100.00	$140.00	$122.50
School Age	$150.00	$96.45	$125.00	$108.55

DES District 2 Pima County

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$216.50	$125.00	$150.00	$125.00
1 & 2 years	$191.25	$125.00	$140.00	$125.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$167.35	$125.00	$140.00	$125.00
School Age	$125.00	$114.30	$135.00	$125.00

DES District 3 Apache, Coconino, Navajo & Yavapai Counties

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$180.00	$125.00	$142.50	$127.50
1 & 2 years	$167.35	$125.00	$132.50	$125.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$151.80	$125.00	$127.50	$125.00
School Age	$140.00	$125.00	$125.00	$125.00

DES District 4 La Paz, Mohave & Yuma Counties

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$150.00	$100.00	$140.00	$125.00
1 & 2 years	$140.00	$100.00	$131.80	$125.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$125.00	$75.00	$130.00	$125.00
School Age	$122.50	$75.00	$131.80	$125.00

DES District 5 Gila & Pinal Counties

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$175.00	$135.00	$160.00	$150.00
1 & 2 years	$160.00	$135.00	$150.00	$150.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$142.50	$120.00	$150.00	$127.50
School Age	$125.00	$100.00	$150.00	$127.50

DES District 6 Cochise, Graham, Greenlee & Santa Cruz Counties

Ages	Child Care Centers	Approved Homes*	Certified Group Homes	Unregulated Homes
Under 1 year	$177.50	$100.00	$150.00	$125.00
1 & 2 years	$137.75	$100.00	$120.00	$125.00
3, 4 & 5 years	$125.00	$100.00	$115.00	$125.00
School Age	$125.00	$100.00	$115.00	$125.00

* Approved homes include all DES Certified Family Child Care Homes 
N/A = Not Applicable due to type of care not available.