Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Norman County, MN
In Norman County, MN, center-based childcare costs $219/wk for infants, $206/wk for toddlers, $190/wk for preschoolers, and $164/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 13% ($29/wk, $1,525/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($219/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($164/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Norman 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 $219/wk ($11,388/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $190/wk ($9,863/yr). That's a 13% drop — about $29/wk, or $1,525 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Norman County is Infant (0-1) at $219/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $164/wk — a spread of $55/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 $164/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $219 | $11,388 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $206 | $10,729 | -$13 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $190 | $9,863 | -$29 |
| School-Age (6+) | $164 | $8,545 | -$55 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,278 |
| Burden Index | 17.4% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Norman County compare?
At $219/wk for infant center care, Norman County runs 26% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 17.4% 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 Norman County runs $128/wk for infants — about 41% less than center-based care, or $4,715 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $164/wk (center) or $120/wk (family).
More about Norman 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.