Daycare cost · District of Columbia
How much does daycare cost in District of Columbia?
Full-time infant care at a daycare center in the District of Columbia cost a median of $490 a week in the latest federal county survey. A home daycare charged $400 a week for a baby, and center preschool ran $392.
- a week, center infant care, county survey
- $490
- a week, center preschool, county survey
- $392
- County priced
- 1
By age
Daycare prices by age in District of Columbia
Weekly prices for full-time care. The county survey figures are the middle county in District of Columbia; the posted figures are the middle rate on District of Columbia daycare websites.
| Age | Center, county survey | Home daycare, county survey | Posted by daycares |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $490 | $400 | Too few to show |
| Toddler | $451 | $393 | Too few to show |
| Preschool | $392 | $368 | Too few to show |
| School ageOften before and after school only | No figure | No figure | Too few to show |
County survey: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022; District of Columbia figure = the median of 1 county medians. Fewer than 30 District of Columbia daycares post a usable full-time rate for any one age group, so this page does not give a posted figure for District of Columbia.
Reading the numbers
Where these figures come from
The 2022 prices come from the U.S. Department of Labor's county survey, built from the District's own surveys of what providers charge. DC counts as a single county, so there is one price for each age and type of care, with no split by neighborhood.
We read 174 DC daycare websites, but too few post a full-time weekly rate for any one age to give a 2026 figure. Ask each daycare for its current rate.
Paying for care
Ways to lower the cost
The DC Child Care Subsidy Program, run by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), helps families with low and moderate incomes pay for care. On DaycarePal, 29 DC daycares are listed as accepting child care assistance: see which ones.
The District offers free pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds who live in DC, in public and public charter schools and some community programs, so the cost of care can drop sharply from age 3. Head Start and Early Head Start are free for families who qualify and serve children from birth to age 5.
Home daycares cost less than centers in the 2022 survey, and part-time schedules can lower the bill too.
Questions
Questions about daycare cost in District of Columbia
How much is daycare per month in DC?
About $2,123 a month for full-time infant care at a center, at the 2022 price of $490 a week. A home daycare came to about $1,733 a month for a baby, and center preschool to about $1,699.
How much does infant care cost a year in DC?
About $25,480 a year at the 2022 center infant price, or 25% of the District's median household income ($101,722).
Does home daycare cost less than a center in DC?
Yes. In the 2022 survey, infant care cost $400 a week at a home daycare and $490 at a center; for toddlers it was $393 against $451.
Is pre-K free in DC?
Yes, for children age 3 and 4 who live in the District, through public and public charter schools and some community programs. Apply through My School DC or ask about community programs.
Is there a DC price for school-age care?
The 2022 survey has no school-age figure for the District. Ask each program what its before and after school or summer rate covers.
We are a directory, not the daycare. Each daycare sets its own prices; ask for the current rate for your child's age and schedule.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices (2022 county prices and household incomes); rates posted on District of Columbia daycare websites, read in 2026. See daycares in District of Columbia for each daycare's own listing.