Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in San Juan County, WA
In San Juan County, WA, center-based childcare costs $363/wk for infants, $290/wk for toddlers, $290/wk for preschoolers, and $200/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 20% ($73/wk, $3,778/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($363/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($200/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in San Juan 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 $363/wk ($18,868/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $290/wk ($15,090/yr). That's a 20% drop — about $73/wk, or $3,778 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in San Juan County is Infant (0-1) at $363/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $200/wk — a spread of $163/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 $200/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $363 | $18,868 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $290 | $15,090 | -$73 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $290 | $15,090 | -$73 |
| School-Age (6+) | $200 | $10,380 | -$163 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $76,745 |
| Burden Index | 24.6% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does San Juan County compare?
At $363/wk for infant center care, San Juan County runs 109% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 24.6% 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 Juan County runs $276/wk for infants — about 24% less than center-based care, or $4,524 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $200/wk (center) or $218/wk (family).
More about San Juan 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.