Child Care Costs
Child care costs are a major expense for most families. Quality care for infants and toddlers is particularly expensive because group sizes must be small.
Surprisingly, although costs are high, many times child care providers are not earning much more than minimum wage. Reasons why child care can be so expensive include the following:
- Low ratios of children to adults in programs for infants and toddlers
- Qualifications of the provider or teachers
- Geographic location
- Insurance costs
- Age and developmentally appropriate equipment and supplies
- Healthy and nutritious food
- Type of child care (Center or Home)
- Operational expenses such as, employee, rent, utilities, etc.
Generally speaking, hiring an in-home caregiver tends to be the most expensive form of care, followed by child care centers and family child care homes. Cost of school age programs and camps varies according to the type of program.
You may want to plan for additional fees such as registration, transportation, meals, or even a late payment or late pick-up fee.
Child Care Costs in Arizona
Listed below are the average (median) weekly full time costs of child care. Rates are based on the 2012 DES Market Rate Survey
. These are averages only. The cost of child care varies from county to county and within individual communities. Each provider sets their own rates.
For more information, please contact Arizona CCR&R at (800) 308-9000
Tucson (520) 325-5778
Yuma (928) 782-3217
Phoenix (602) 244-2678
Please visit the DES Child Care Administration Site, You May Be Eligible for Assistance. Their website offers a variety of useful forms, including an income eligibility chart (en Español), to help you to determine if you are eligible for child care assistance.
DES District 1
Maricopa County
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$212.50 |
$90.00 |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
1 & 2 years |
$195.35 |
$80.00 |
$130.00 |
$150.00 |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$170.00 |
$75.00 |
$130.00 |
$150.00 |
School Age |
$150.00 |
$75.00 |
$115.00 |
$150.00 |
DES District 2
Pima County
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$190.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
$140.00 |
1 & 2 years |
$162.80 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
$140.00 |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$155.00 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
School Age |
$137.50 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
$140.00 |
DES District 3
Apache, Coconino, Navajo & Yavapai Counties
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$150.00 |
$100.00 |
$135.00 |
N/A |
1 & 2 years |
$125.00 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
N/A |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$125.00 |
$100.00 |
$130.00 |
N/A |
School Age |
$105.00 |
$100.00 |
$110.00 |
N/A |
DES District 4
La Paz, Mohave & Yuma Counties
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$136.25 |
$100.00 |
$120.00 |
$125.00 |
1 & 2 years |
$120.00 |
$80.00 |
$110.00 |
$100.00 |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$110.00 |
$80.00 |
$110.00 |
$110.00 |
School Age |
$110.00 |
$80.00 |
$110.00 |
$110.00 |
DES District 5
Gila & Pinal Counties
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$200.00 |
$125.00 |
$149.75 |
$135.00 |
1 & 2 years |
$184.00 |
$120.00 |
$130.00 |
$130.00 |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$150.00 |
$120.00 |
$130.00 |
$130.00 |
School Age |
$150.00 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
DES District 6
Cochise, Graham, Greenlee & Santa Cruz Counties
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
CCR&R Registered Homes |
Under 1 year |
$160.00 |
$120.00 |
$130.00 |
N/A |
1 & 2 years |
$154.00 |
$119.55 |
$125.00 |
N/A |
3, 4 & 5 years |
$140.00 |
$119.55 |
$110.00 |
N/A |
School Age |
$110.00 |
$119.55 |
$110.00 |
N/A |
* Approved homes include all DES Certified Homes and ADE Alternate Approval Homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
N/A = Not Applicable due to type of care not available.