Childcare Guides for Parents

How Much Does Childcare Cost? Complete 2026 guide by type, age & location Childcare Cost by State All states ranked by average cost Part-Time Daycare Costs 2, 3 & 4-day schedules by city Daycare vs. Nanny Cost, pros & cons compared Nanny vs. Au Pair Which is right for your family? Preschool vs. Daycare Cost, hours & what's best for your child Nanny vs. Daycare for Infants Which is better for babies? Infant Care Guide Costs, options & what to look for Toddler Care Guide Ages 1–3: costs, ratios & milestones Montessori Costs Tuition by age, is it worth it? Babysitter Rates How much to pay by city & experience Summer Camp Costs Day, overnight & specialty programs Before & After School Care Programs, prices & alternatives Nanny Hourly Rate by City $18–$35/hr — 2026 rates for 20 cities Childcare for Two Children When a nanny beats two daycare spots Daycare Waitlist Guide How to get a spot faster In-Home Daycare Cost Family daycare — 20–40% less than centers Nanny vs. Babysitter Roles, costs & tax differences Drop-In Daycare Cost $15–$25/hr hourly childcare How to Budget for Childcare What to spend & how to reduce costs

How to Hire a Nanny Search, interview & onboard How to Find Daycare Tour checklist & red flags Best Au Pair Agencies Compare programs, costs & features Nanny Share Agreement Guide Contracts, costs & setup Backup Childcare Options Emergency care plans Childcare for Shift Workers Evening, weekend & overnight options Special Needs Childcare Inclusive programs, rights & financial aid Nanny Background Check What to run & what to look for

Childcare Tax Benefits DCFSA, credits & state programs Nanny Taxes & Payroll Household employer obligations DCFSA Savings Calculator See how much you'll save Work vs. Stay Home Calculator Is childcare worth the cost? Employer Childcare Benefits What to ask for & how to use them DCFSA vs Child Care Credit Which saves more? Use both together How to Find Childcare Subsidies Step-by-step guide for all 50 states

California Subsidies CalWORKs, State Preschool, TK & more Texas Subsidies TWC programs & Texas Rising Star New York Subsidies CCBG, 3-K & Universal Pre-K Florida Subsidies School Readiness & VPK programs Illinois Subsidies CCAP up to 225% FPL & Chicago Pre-K Massachusetts Subsidies EEC assistance & $7,200 tax deduction Washington State Subsidies WCCC & Fair Start for Kids Act Colorado Subsidies CCCAP & Universal Preschool Pennsylvania Subsidies Child Care Works & Pre-K Counts Georgia Subsidies CAPS & universal Georgia Pre-K Ohio Subsidies Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) North Carolina Subsidies NC Child Care Subsidy & NC Pre-K Michigan Subsidies CDC program & Great Start Pre-K Minnesota Subsidies CCAP & refundable state credit Maryland Subsidies Child Care Scholarship & free Pre-K Missouri Subsidies Child Care Subsidy & 30% tax credit Tennessee Subsidies Certificate Program & Voluntary Pre-K Arizona Subsidies DES CCAP & Quality First scholarships Oregon Subsidies ERDC & Portland Preschool for All Connecticut Subsidies Care 4 Kids & School Readiness Kentucky Subsidies CCAP & STARS for KIDS NOW Oklahoma Subsidies DHS subsidy & universal Pre-K Virginia Subsidies CCSP & Virginia Preschool Initiative Wisconsin Subsidies Wisconsin Shares & YoungStar