Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Newport County, RI
In Newport County, RI, center-based childcare costs $311/wk for infants, $300/wk for toddlers, $263/wk for preschoolers, and $70/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 15% ($48/wk, $2,483/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($311/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($70/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Newport 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 $311/wk ($16,168/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $263/wk ($13,685/yr). That's a 15% drop — about $48/wk, or $2,483 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Newport County is Infant (0-1) at $311/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $70/wk — a spread of $241/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 $70/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $311 | $16,168 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $300 | $15,595 | -$11 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $263 | $13,685 | -$48 |
| School-Age (6+) | $70 | $3,631 | -$241 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $96,319 |
| Burden Index | 16.8% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Newport County compare?
At $311/wk for infant center care, Newport County runs 79% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 16.8% 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 Newport County runs $275/wk for infants — about 11% less than center-based care, or $1,844 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $70/wk (center) or $230/wk (family).
More about Newport 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.