Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Santa Rosa County, FL
In Santa Rosa County, FL, center-based childcare costs $235/wk for infants, $180/wk for toddlers, $165/wk for preschoolers, and $134/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 30% ($70/wk, $3,640/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($235/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($134/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Santa Rosa 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 $235/wk ($12,220/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $165/wk ($8,580/yr). That's a 30% drop — about $70/wk, or $3,640 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Santa Rosa County is Infant (0-1) at $235/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $134/wk — a spread of $101/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 $134/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $235 | $12,220 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $180 | $9,360 | -$55 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $165 | $8,580 | -$70 |
| School-Age (6+) | $134 | $6,968 | -$101 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $84,715 |
| Burden Index | 14.4% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Santa Rosa County compare?
At $235/wk for infant center care, Santa Rosa County runs 35% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 14.4% 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 Santa Rosa County runs $160/wk for infants — about 32% less than center-based care, or $3,900 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $134/wk (center) or $110/wk (family).
More about Santa Rosa 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.