Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in McLean County, ND
In McLean County, ND, center-based childcare costs $215/wk for infants, $197/wk for toddlers, $182/wk for preschoolers, and $176/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 15% ($33/wk, $1,716/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($215/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($176/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in McLean 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 $215/wk ($11,184/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $182/wk ($9,468/yr). That's a 15% drop — about $33/wk, or $1,716 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in McLean County is Infant (0-1) at $215/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $176/wk — a spread of $39/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 $176/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $215 | $11,184 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $197 | $10,219 | -$19 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $182 | $9,468 | -$33 |
| School-Age (6+) | $176 | $9,175 | -$39 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,556 |
| Burden Index | 13.9% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does McLean County compare?
At $215/wk for infant center care, McLean County runs 24% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 13.9% of median household income — a moderate burden, above the 7% HHS affordability threshold.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in McLean County runs $158/wk for infants — about 27% less than center-based care, or $2,965 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $176/wk (center) or $154/wk (family).
More about McLean 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.