Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Nassau County, NY
In Nassau County, NY, center-based childcare costs $325/wk for infants, $300/wk for toddlers, $293/wk for preschoolers, and $250/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 10% ($32/wk, $1,664/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($325/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($250/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Nassau 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 $325/wk ($16,900/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $293/wk ($15,236/yr). That's a 10% drop — about $32/wk, or $1,664 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Nassau County is Infant (0-1) at $325/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $250/wk — a spread of $75/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 $250/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $325 | $16,900 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $300 | $15,600 | -$25 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $293 | $15,236 | -$32 |
| School-Age (6+) | $250 | $13,000 | -$75 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $137,709 |
| Burden Index | 12.3% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Nassau County compare?
At $325/wk for infant center care, Nassau County runs 87% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 12.3% 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 Nassau County runs $300/wk for infants — about 8% less than center-based care, or $1,300 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $250/wk (center) or $250/wk (family).
More about Nassau 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.