Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Lincoln County, WA
In Lincoln County, WA, center-based childcare costs $237/wk for infants, $217/wk for toddlers, $217/wk for preschoolers, and $179/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 9% ($21/wk, $1,066/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($237/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($179/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Lincoln 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 $237/wk ($12,326/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $217/wk ($11,260/yr). That's a 9% drop — about $21/wk, or $1,066 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Lincoln County is Infant (0-1) at $237/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $179/wk — a spread of $58/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 $179/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $237 | $12,326 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $217 | $11,260 | -$21 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $217 | $11,260 | -$21 |
| School-Age (6+) | $179 | $9,315 | -$58 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $68,172 |
| Burden Index | 18.1% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Lincoln County compare?
At $237/wk for infant center care, Lincoln County runs 37% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 18.1% 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 Lincoln County runs $198/wk for infants — about 16% less than center-based care, or $2,030 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $179/wk (center) or $161/wk (family).
More about Lincoln 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.