Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Knox County, ME
In Knox County, ME, center-based childcare costs $225/wk for infants, $218/wk for toddlers, $193/wk for preschoolers, and $267/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 14% ($32/wk, $1,647/yr) less than infant care. School-Age (6+) is the priciest age group ($267/wk) and preschool (3-5) the cheapest ($193/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Knox 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 $225/wk ($11,700/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $193/wk ($10,053/yr). That's a 14% drop — about $32/wk, or $1,647 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Knox County is School-Age (6+) at $267/wk, and the cheapest is preschool (3-5) at $193/wk — a spread of $73/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 $267/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $225 | $11,700 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $218 | $11,353 | -$7 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $193 | $10,053 | -$32 |
| School-Age (6+) | $267 | $13,867 | +$42 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,904 |
| Burden Index | 17.0% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Knox County compare?
At $225/wk for infant center care, Knox County runs 30% 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 Knox County runs $157/wk for infants — about 30% less than center-based care, or $3,553 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $267/wk (center) or $134/wk (family).
More about Knox 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.