What is the annual daycare cost in Winston-Salem?

Annual infant center-based daycare in Winston-Salem averages $10,800/year. Toddler care costs $9,600/year. These are metro-area estimates based on statewide ACF data and local cost-of-living factors.

Is daycare cheaper in Winston-Salem than the national average?

Yes — Winston-Salem infant daycare is 27% below the national average of $1230/month.

Daycare Cost in Winston-Salem, NC (2026)

Q: How much does daycare cost in Winston-Salem?

Infant center-based daycare in Winston-Salem, NC averages $900/month in 2026 — 27% below the national average of $1230/month. Toddler care runs $800/month, preschool $680/month, and school-age care $560/month.

Infant center-based care averages $900/month in Winston-Salem. 27% below national avg. Toddler care runs $800/month, preschool $680/month.

Winston-Salem average monthly daycare costs

Infant (center)

$900

27% below national avg

Toddler (center)

$800

$9,600/year

Preschool (center)

$680

$8,160/year

School Age

$560

Before/after school care

Home-Based

$700

Family home, infant rate

Nanny

$2,090

Full-time, metro avg

Source: ACF Child Care Market Rate Survey + metro cost-of-living adjustment. 2026 estimates.

Winston-Salem vs. North Carolina vs. National Average

How Winston-Salem compares to the state and national averages for each age group.

Age / Care Type	Winston-Salem	North Carolina	National
Infant — Center-Based	$900/mo	$950/mo (-$50)	$1,230/mo
Toddler — Center-Based	$800/mo	$840/mo (-$40)	$1,080/mo
Preschool — Center	$680/mo	$720/mo (-$40)	$920/mo
School Age — Center	$560/mo	$590/mo (-$30)	$770/mo
Infant — Home-Based	$700/mo	$740/mo (-$40)	$970/mo
Nanny (Full-Time)	$2,090/mo	$2,200/mo (-$110)	$2,700/mo

Annual Daycare Cost in Winston-Salem

Full-time infant center care in Winston-Salem costs $10,800/year. At the national average that's $14,760/year — Winston-Salem families pay $3,960 less per year for infant care.

Infant / year

$10,800

Toddler / year

$9,600

Preschool / year

$8,160

School Age / year

$6,720

Childcare Subsidies in North Carolina

North Carolina participates in the federal CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund) program. A family of 4 earning up to $5,400/month may qualify for subsidized care. The maximum subsidy for infant care is up to $680/month.

Check subsidy eligibility → FSA & credit savings

Common Questions About Daycare Costs in Winston-Salem

How much does daycare cost in Winston-Salem?

Infant center-based daycare in Winston-Salem averages $900/month in 2026. That's $330 below the national average of $1230/month — more affordable than many major metros.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average?

Winston-Salem infant daycare runs about $50/month (5%) below the North Carolina statewide average of $950/month. See all daycare costs in North Carolina.

Does daycare get cheaper as my child gets older in Winston-Salem?

Yes. In Winston-Salem: infant care ($900/month) → toddler care ($800/month, 11% drop) → preschool ($680/month, 24% drop from infant) → school age ($560/month, 38% drop from infant). Staffing ratio requirements loosen as children age, reducing per-child costs.

Is a nanny cheaper than daycare in Winston-Salem?

For one child, no — a full-time nanny in Winston-Salem averages $2,090/month versus $900/month for center-based infant care. For two children sharing a nanny, the equation can flip. Use the daycare vs nanny calculator.

North Carolina daycare costs

See the full North Carolina statewide average with CCDF subsidy data.

North Carolina state costs →

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