Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in La Plata County, CO
In La Plata County, CO, center-based childcare costs $286/wk for infants, $237/wk for toddlers, $212/wk for preschoolers, and $209/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 26% ($74/wk, $3,853/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($286/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($209/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in La Plata 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 $286/wk ($14,872/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $212/wk ($11,019/yr). That's a 26% drop — about $74/wk, or $3,853 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in La Plata County is Infant (0-1) at $286/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $209/wk — a spread of $77/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 $209/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $286 | $14,872 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $237 | $12,308 | -$49 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $212 | $11,019 | -$74 |
| School-Age (6+) | $209 | $10,845 | -$77 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $81,936 |
| Burden Index | 18.2% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does La Plata County compare?
At $286/wk for infant center care, La Plata County runs 65% 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 La Plata County runs $235/wk for infants — about 18% less than center-based care, or $2,665 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $209/wk (center) or $172/wk (family).
More about La Plata 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.