Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Summit County, CO
In Summit County, CO, center-based childcare costs $380/wk for infants, $357/wk for toddlers, $327/wk for preschoolers, and $209/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 14% ($53/wk, $2,758/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($380/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($209/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Summit 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 $380/wk ($19,744/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $327/wk ($16,986/yr). That's a 14% drop — about $53/wk, or $2,758 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Summit County is Infant (0-1) at $380/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $209/wk — a spread of $171/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 $209/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $380 | $19,744 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $357 | $18,577 | -$22 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $327 | $16,986 | -$53 |
| School-Age (6+) | $209 | $10,845 | -$171 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $100,611 |
| Burden Index | 19.6% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Summit County compare?
At $380/wk for infant center care, Summit County runs 119% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 19.6% 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 Summit County runs $328/wk for infants — about 14% less than center-based care, or $2,714 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $209/wk (center) or $239/wk (family).
More about Summit 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.