Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Frederick County, VA
In Frederick County, VA, center-based childcare costs $217/wk for infants, $149/wk for toddlers, $149/wk for preschoolers, and $162/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 32% ($69/wk, $3,572/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($217/wk) and toddler (1-2) the cheapest ($149/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Frederick 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 $217/wk ($11,304/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $149/wk ($7,732/yr). That's a 32% drop — about $69/wk, or $3,572 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Frederick County is Infant (0-1) at $217/wk, and the cheapest is toddler (1-2) at $149/wk — a spread of $69/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 $162/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $217 | $11,304 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $149 | $7,732 | -$69 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $149 | $7,732 | -$69 |
| School-Age (6+) | $162 | $8,409 | -$56 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $92,443 |
| Burden Index | 12.2% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Frederick County compare?
At $217/wk for infant center care, Frederick County runs 25% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 12.2% 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 Frederick County runs $166/wk for infants — about 23% less than center-based care, or $2,647 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $162/wk (center) or $202/wk (family).
More about Frederick 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.