Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Grand Forks County, ND
In Grand Forks County, ND, center-based childcare costs $212/wk for infants, $193/wk for toddlers, $180/wk for preschoolers, and $178/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 15% ($33/wk, $1,691/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($212/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($178/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Grand Forks 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 $212/wk ($11,029/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $180/wk ($9,338/yr). That's a 15% drop — about $33/wk, or $1,691 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Grand Forks County is Infant (0-1) at $212/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $178/wk — a spread of $34/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 $178/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $212 | $11,029 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $193 | $10,059 | -$19 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $180 | $9,338 | -$33 |
| School-Age (6+) | $178 | $9,267 | -$34 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,698 |
| Burden Index | 17.0% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Grand Forks County compare?
At $212/wk for infant center care, Grand Forks County runs 22% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 17.0% 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 Grand Forks County runs $156/wk for infants — about 26% less than center-based care, or $2,914 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $178/wk (center) or $155/wk (family).
More about Grand Forks 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.