Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in San Bernardino County, CA
In San Bernardino County, CA, center-based childcare costs $384/wk for infants, $221/wk for toddlers, $173/wk for preschoolers, and $95/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 55% ($211/wk, $10,985/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($384/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($95/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in San Bernardino 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 $384/wk ($19,981/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $173/wk ($8,996/yr). That's a 55% drop — about $211/wk, or $10,985 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in San Bernardino County is Infant (0-1) at $384/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $95/wk — a spread of $289/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 $95/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $384 | $19,981 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $221 | $11,511 | -$163 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $173 | $8,996 | -$211 |
| School-Age (6+) | $95 | $4,959 | -$289 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $77,423 |
| Burden Index | 25.8% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does San Bernardino County compare?
At $384/wk for infant center care, San Bernardino County runs 121% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 25.8% of median household income — a severe burden, more than triple the 7% affordability threshold the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses.
For families looking to lower the bill, family-based (home) daycare in San Bernardino County runs $271/wk for infants — about 30% less than center-based care, or $5,898 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $95/wk (center) or $185/wk (family).
More about San Bernardino 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.