Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Johnston County, OK
In Johnston County, OK, center-based childcare costs $198/wk for infants, $171/wk for toddlers, $171/wk for preschoolers, and $112/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 14% ($27/wk, $1,401/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($198/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($112/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Johnston 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 $198/wk ($10,302/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $171/wk ($8,901/yr). That's a 14% drop — about $27/wk, or $1,401 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Johnston County is Infant (0-1) at $198/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $112/wk — a spread of $86/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 $112/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $198 | $10,302 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $171 | $8,901 | -$27 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $171 | $8,901 | -$27 |
| School-Age (6+) | $112 | $5,819 | -$86 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $48,476 |
| Burden Index | 21.3% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Johnston County compare?
At $198/wk for infant center care, Johnston County runs 14% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 21.3% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in Johnston County runs $144/wk for infants — about 27% less than center-based care, or $2,820 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $112/wk (center) or $101/wk (family).
More about Johnston 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.