Paying for Child Care
Child care can be one of the biggest expenses for parents of young children. However, advance planning and financial resources can make costs more manageable. On this page, find average child care costs, typical fees, and financial resources.
Average Child Care Costs
Below are estimates of weekly child care rates for providers located in Dane County. All fees and tuition costs are estimates for planning purposes only. Please contact child care providers for the most up-to-date information on their fees and tuition.
Weekly Group Child Care Rates
Group centers can care for 9 or more children, usually in a child care center or outside of a residence.
| AGE OF CHILD | FULL-TIME | PART-TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $430-$550 | *$375 |
| 2 Years | $370- $450 | $300-$320 |
| 3 Years | $370- $412 | $270-$320 |
| 4 Years | $325- $395 | $265-$280 |
*Part-time care for children under 12-months-old is rare.
Weekly Family Child Care Program Rates
Family child care programs provide care for 4–8 children, usually in the provider’s home or a home-based setting. Learn More.
| AGE OF CHILD | FULL-TIME | PART-TIME |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | $325 | $280 |
| 2-3 Years | $305 | $260 |
| 4-5 Years | $290 | $250 |
| 6-12 Years | Contact Provider | Contact Provider |
Weekly 4K Wrap Care Rates
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K) is a half-day or full-day tuition-free, optional program in Madison, Wisconsin that helps prepare children for kindergarten. 4K programs are held in schools or child care centers authorized to teach 4K curriculum. Children must be four years old by September 1 of the year they plan to enroll and live in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). Learn More.
4K Wrap Care is child care that is offered before or after your child’s 4K class.
| AGE OF CHILD | 4 or 5 Days/Week |
|---|---|
| 5 Years | $177-$450 |
Weekly School-Aged Care Rates
After/Before School Care
Weekly rates for after or before school care for children 5-12 years old. Learn More.
| 5 Days/Week | 4 Days/Week | 3 Days/Week | 2 Days/Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| $180 | $130 | $110 | $95 |
Summer Camps & Programs
Summer camps and programs vary widely from $150/week for half-day programs to $250-$450/week for full-day programs or camps with specialized activities.
Waitlist and Fees
Most child care centers require a $25-50 one-time registration fee per child.
Some child care center waitlists are free, but some may require you to put down a $25/month deposit or more. It is recommended that families with young children get on multiple waitlists to increase their chance of securing child care.
- Average Waitlist Length for Infant Care (0-18 months) is 6-12+ months.
- Average Waitlist Length for Preschool Care (18 months-4 years-old) is 4-12 months.
Ask your child care provider about other fees or supplies:
- What is the annual registration fee?
- Is there a material or supply fee for books or classroom materials?
- Is there a charge for meals or snacks?
- Are there field trip fees?
- Is there a late pick-up fee?
- What is your cancellation or early withdrawal policy?
- Are there any other additional fees?
You may want to budget a monthly cost for occasional back-up care for when your regular child care provider is closed due to illness, professional development, or vacation.
The average hourly cost for back-up care is between $15-25 per hour.
Financial Resources
For Students
Discover financial resources that support UW–Madison students in balancing their studies with family duties, including child care and other essential needs.
For Faculty & Staff
Explore a range of resources for UW–Madison employees, including HR benefits, emergency funding, parenting resources, and connections to community assistance.