Childcare Landscape Study - Flipbook - Page 92
Davidson County Child Care Landscape Study Results
4
The Monthly True Cost of High-Quality Center-Based Care Ranges
from $2,214 for Preschoolers to $3,457 for Infants
The estimated monthly cost of high-quality center-based child care is $3,457 for infants,
$2,729 for toddlers, and $2,214 for preschoolers in greater Davidson County. This estimate
is created using a model child care center representing the typical size and structure of local
programs. As shown in Table 1, costs vary widely across age groups because staffing
expenses vary across age groups.
Table 1: Estimated Monthly Cost Per Child of Providing High-Quality Center-Based Care in Greater
Davidson County
Expense Category
Infants
Toddlers
Preschoolers
Staffing Expenses
$2,880
$2,187
$1,697
Food and Kitchen Supplies
$186
$186
$186
Facility and Business Expenses
$181
$181
$181
Educational and Other Supplies
$44
$44
$44
5% Reserve
$165
$130
$105
$3,457
$2,729
$2,214
Per Child Monthly Total
Source: 2025 Davidson County Child Care Cost Estimation Model. The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, 2025.Note:
Estimates reflect a modeled example child care center based on Child Care Provider Survey data and structured cost
assumptions for high-quality care in greater Davidson County.
Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center 2026
www.pn3policy.org
