Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Garfield County, CO

Childcare prices in Garfield 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 $297/wk ($15,462/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $271/wk ($14,102/yr). That's a 9% drop — about $26/wk, or $1,360 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.

The priciest age group in Garfield County is Infant (0-1) at $297/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $167/wk — a spread of $131/wk between the most and least expensive bands. The decline is uneven here: toddler care sits close to or above infant care, so the cost curve is not perfectly smooth. School-age care (ages 6+) is usually the most economical at $167/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.

At $297/wk for infant center care, Garfield County runs 71% above the national median of $174/wk.

The Childcare Burden Index here is 18.7% of median household income — a high burden, more than double the 7% HHS affordability threshold.

For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Garfield County runs $268/wk for infants — about 10% less than center-based care, or $1,542 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $167/wk (center) or $188/wk (family).