Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Solano County, CA
In Solano County, CA, center-based childcare costs $424/wk for infants, $272/wk for toddlers, $214/wk for preschoolers, and $119/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 50% ($210/wk, $10,927/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($424/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($119/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Solano 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 $424/wk ($22,030/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $214/wk ($11,103/yr). That's a 50% drop — about $210/wk, or $10,927 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Solano County is Infant (0-1) at $424/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $119/wk — a spread of $305/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 $119/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $424 | $22,030 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $272 | $14,149 | -$152 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $214 | $11,103 | -$210 |
| School-Age (6+) | $119 | $6,178 | -$305 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $97,037 |
| Burden Index | 22.7% (Severe) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Solano County compare?
At $424/wk for infant center care, Solano County runs 144% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 22.7% 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 Solano County runs $367/wk for infants — about 13% less than center-based care, or $2,952 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $119/wk (center) or $220/wk (family).
More about Solano 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.