Daycare Cost in Washington, DC (2026)
Infant center-based care averages $2400/month in Washington. 95% above national avg. Toddler care runs $2100/month, preschool $1800/month.
Washington average monthly daycare costs
Infant (center)
$2400
95% above national avg
Toddler (center)
$2100
$25,200/year
Preschool (center)
$1800
$21,600/year
School Age
$1500
Before/after school care
Home-Based
$1900
Family home, infant rate
Nanny
$4,200
Full-time, metro avg
Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.
Washington vs. District of Columbia vs. National Average
How Washington compares to the state and national averages for each age group.
| Age / Care Type | Washington |
|---|---|
| Infant — Center-Based | $2,400/mo |
| Toddler — Center-Based | $2,100/mo |
| Preschool — Center | $1,800/mo |
| School Age — Center | $1,500/mo |
| Infant — Home-Based | $1,900/mo |
| Nanny (Full-Time) | $4,200/mo |
Annual Daycare Cost in Washington
Full-time infant center care in Washington costs $28,800/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Washington families pay $14,040 more per year for infant care.
Infant / year
$28,800
Toddler / year
$25,200
Preschool / year
$21,600
School Age / year
$18,000
Childcare Subsidies in District of Columbia
District of Columbia participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $9,200/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $1,500/month.
Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Washington
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Infant center-based daycare in Washington averages $2400/month in 2026. That's $1170 above the national average of $1230/month. Higher local wages and demand drive prices up in this metro area.
How does Washington compare to the District of Columbia state average?
Washington is right at the District of Columbia statewide average for infant daycare. See all daycare costs in District of Columbia.
Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Washington?
Yes. In Washington: infant care ($2400/month) → toddler care ($2100/month, 13% drop) → preschool ($1800/month, 25% drop from infant) → school age ($1500/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.
Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Washington?
For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Washington averages $4,200/month versus $2400/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.
District of Columbia daycare costs
See the full District of Columbia statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.
District of Columbia state costs →Compare all 100 cities
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