Infant vs Toddler vs Preschool Childcare Cost in Wicomico County, MD
In Wicomico County, MD, center-based childcare costs $209/wk for infants, $151/wk for toddlers, $151/wk for preschoolers, and $133/wk for school-age children, based on DOL data. Care gets cheaper as a child gets older: preschool is about 28% ($58/wk, $2,992/yr) less than infant care. Infant (0-1) is the priciest age group ($209/wk) and school-age (6+) the cheapest ($133/wk).
Cost by Child's Age
Childcare prices in Wicomico 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 $209/wk ($10,848/yr), the highest band in most counties, while preschool care runs $151/wk ($7,856/yr). That's a 28% drop — about $58/wk, or $2,992 a year, in savings as your child moves from infant to preschool.
The priciest age group in Wicomico County is Infant (0-1) at $209/wk, and the cheapest is school-age (6+) at $133/wk — a spread of $75/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 $133/wk, since those children only need before- and after-school coverage.
| Age Group | Center/Wk | Center/Yr | vs Infant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (0-1) | $209 | $10,848 | — |
| Toddler (1-2) | $151 | $7,856 | -$58 |
| Preschool (3-5) | $151 | $7,856 | -$58 |
| School-Age (6+) | $133 | $6,935 | -$75 |
Burden Index
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,421 |
| Burden Index | 15.6% (High) |
| National Median (Infant Center) | $174/wk |
How does Wicomico County compare?
At $209/wk for infant center care, Wicomico County runs 20% above the national median of $174/wk.
The Childcare Burden Index here is 15.6% 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 Wicomico County runs $156/wk for infants — about 25% less than center-based care, or $2,726 in annual savings. School-age care is the cheapest category at $133/wk (center) or $121/wk (family).
More about Wicomico 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.