Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Harnett County, NC
In Harnett County, NC, center-based childcare costs $197/wk for infants, $139/wk for toddlers, $114/wk for preschoolers, and $115/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 42% ($83/wk, $4,306/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($197/wk) and preschool (3-5) the cheapest ($114/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Harnett 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 $197/wk ($10,233/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $114/wk ($5,927/yr). That's a 42% drop — about $83/wk, or $4,306 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Harnett County is Infant (0-1) at $197/wk, and the cheapest is preschool (3-5) at $114/wk — a spread of $83/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 $115/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $197 | $10,233 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $139 | $7,217 | -$58 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $114 | $5,927 | -$83 |
| School-Age (6+) | $115 | $5,969 | -$82 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $64,992 |
| Burden Index | 15.7% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Harnett County compare?
At $197/wk for infant center care, Harnett County runs 13% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 15.7% 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 Harnett County runs $164/wk for infants — about 17% less than center-based care, or $1,690 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $115/wk (center) or $154/wk (family).
More about Harnett 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.