How Much Does Daycare Cost in Springfield, IL, IL?
Infant center-based care averages $1290/month in Springfield, IL. 5% above national avg. Toddler care runs $1100/month, preschool $970/month.
Springfield, IL average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$1290
5% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$1100
$13,200/year
Preschool (center)
$970
$11,640/year
School Age
$800
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1010
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$2,580
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Springfield, IL vs. Illinois vs. National Average
How Springfield, IL compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $1,290/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $1,100/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $970/mo |
| School Age — Center | $800/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,010/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $2,580/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Springfield, IL
Full-time infant center care in Springfield, IL costs $15,480/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Springfield, IL families pay $720 more per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$15,480
Toddler / year
$13,200
Preschool / year
$11,640
School Age / year
$9,600
Childcare Subsidies in Illinois
Illinois participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $6,800/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $950/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Springfield, IL
How much does daycare cost in Springfield, IL?
Infant center-based daycare in Springfield, IL averages $1290/month in 2026. That's $60 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher local wages and demand drive prices up in this metro area.
How does Springfield, IL compare to the Illinois state average?
Springfield, IL infant daycare runs about $110/month (8%) below the Illinois statewide average of $1400/month. See all daycare costs in Illinois.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Springfield, IL?
Yes. In Springfield, IL: infant care ($1290/month) → toddler care ($1100/month, 15% drop) → preschool ($970/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($800/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Springfield, IL?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Springfield, IL averages $2,580/month versus $1290/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
Illinois daycare costs
See the full Illinois statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
Illinois state costs →Compare all 100 cities
See daycare costs across every major US city side by side.
Daycare cost by city →Daycare Costs in Other Cities
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