Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Virginia Beach City, VA
In Virginia Beach City, VA, center-based childcare costs $237/wk for infants, $195/wk for toddlers, $190/wk for preschoolers, and $153/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 20% ($46/wk, $2,411/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($237/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($153/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Virginia Beach City track a child's age closely, because state licensing rules require more staff per child for the youngest age bands. Infant center care costs $237/wk ($12,314/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $190/wk ($9,903/yr). That's a 20% drop — about $46/wk, or $2,411 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Virginia Beach City is Infant (0-1) at $237/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $153/wk — a spread of $84/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 $153/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $237 | $12,314 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $195 | $10,115 | -$42 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $190 | $9,903 | -$46 |
| School-Age (6+) | $153 | $7,946 | -$84 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $87,544 |
| Burden Index | 14.1% (Moderate) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Virginia Beach City compare?
At $237/wk for infant center care, Virginia Beach City runs 36% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 14.1% 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 Virginia Beach City runs $161/wk for infants — about 32% less than center-based care, or $3,940 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $153/wk (center) or $131/wk (family).
More about Virginia Beach City
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.