Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Garrard County, KY
In Garrard County, KY, center-based childcare costs $204/wk for infants, $175/wk for toddlers, $175/wk for preschoolers, and $152/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 14% ($29/wk, $1,520/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($204/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($152/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Garrard 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 $204/wk ($10,603/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $175/wk ($9,083/yr). That's a 14% drop — about $29/wk, or $1,520 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Garrard County is Infant (0-1) at $204/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $152/wk — a spread of $52/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 $152/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $204 | $10,603 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $175 | $9,083 | -$29 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $175 | $9,083 | -$29 |
| School-Age (6+) | $152 | $7,908 | -$52 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $58,263 |
| Burden Index | 18.2% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Garrard County compare?
At $204/wk for infant center care, Garrard County runs 17% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 18.2% 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 Garrard County runs $151/wk for infants — about 26% less than center-based care, or $2,774 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $152/wk (center) or $128/wk (family).
More about Garrard 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.