Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Charles County, MD
In Charles County, MD, center-based childcare costs $323/wk for infants, $228/wk for toddlers, $228/wk for preschoolers, and $221/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 30% ($95/wk, $4,963/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($323/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($221/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Charles County track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $323/wk ($16,816/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $228/wk ($11,853/yr). That's a 30% drop — about $95/wk, or $4,963 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Charles County is Infant (0-1) at $323/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $221/wk — a spread of $103/wk between the most and least expensive bands. Cost declines steadily from infant to toddler to preschool, the typical national shape. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $221/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $323 | $16,816 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $228 | $11,853 | -$95 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $228 | $11,853 | -$95 |
| School-Age (6+) | $221 | $11,478 | -$103 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $116,882 |
| Burden Index | 14.4% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Charles County compare?
At $323/wk for infant center care, Charles County runs 86% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 14.4% of median household income — a moderate burden, above the 7% HHS affordability threshold.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Charles County runs $239/wk for infants — about 26% less than center-based care, or $4,377 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $221/wk (center) or $177/wk (family).
More about Charles County
The data source behind this answer is the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Every figure on the page traces back to that source; the methodology page describes the inputs and the refresh cadence in full detail.
For readers turning this answer into action: cross-reference against the underlying the DOL National Database of Childcare Prices record before acting on time-sensitive decisions. The site renders the data as it was published; subsequent revisions can shift the picture, and the live federal data is always the authoritative current reference.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau Childcare Prices, 2026.