Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Sussex County, NJ
In Sussex County, NJ, center-based childcare costs $305/wk for infants, $295/wk for toddlers, $295/wk for preschoolers, and $144/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 3% ($9/wk, $474/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($305/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($144/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Sussex 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 $305/wk ($15,834/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $295/wk ($15,360/yr). That's a 3% drop — about $9/wk, or $474 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Sussex County is Infant (0-1) at $305/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $144/wk — a spread of $161/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 $144/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $305 | $15,834 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $295 | $15,360 | -$9 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $295 | $15,360 | -$9 |
| School-Age (6+) | $144 | $7,463 | -$161 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $111,094 |
| Burden Index | 14.3% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Sussex County compare?
At $305/wk for infant center care, Sussex County runs 75% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 14.3% 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 Sussex County runs $188/wk for infants — about 38% less than center-based care, or $6,061 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $144/wk (center) or $159/wk (family).
More about Sussex 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.