Child Care Tuition Prices in Arkansas 2026: County Breakdown by Age and Center Types
Child Care Tuition Prices in Arkansas 2026: County Breakdown by Age and Center Types
Child Care Tuition Prices in Arkansas 2026: County Breakdown by Age and Center Types
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This year, child care tuition for children under age five in the state of Arkansas averages $6,487 per year. But when accounting for variations in the child’s age, whether care is based out of a center or home, and the county, tuition prices swing by up to thousands of dollars per year. Ultimately, there are approximately three tiers of pricing across Arkansas counties. Child care providers across the state can use these benchmarks to help price or update their own services.
Data covering 68 of Arkansas’s 75 counties break down average tuition costs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in both center- and home-based settings. Providers can use these benchmarks – along with additional guidance for pricing based on their own costs and local market conditions – to help set or update their care prices.
Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.
How to price child care and daycare services in Arkansas
Tuition varies by location across Arkansas. Markets such as the Little Rock area and the Northwest Arkansas corridor often differ from Fort Smith and from many other counties, reflecting differences in operating costs, staffing ratios, materials, licensing demands, and the density of nearby programs. Local wage levels also play a role, particularly where care already takes a sizable share of household income. These local factors matter more than the statewide average alone.
Programs that stand out can usually price above nearby peers. A higher Better Beginnings level, reliable year-round or nontraditional hours, infant classrooms that remain open when others scale back, or a curriculum families cannot easily find nearby can support stronger rates. Even so, those fees should be checked regularly against actual enrollment, waitlists, payroll and utility costs, and seasonal demand shifts. Playground’s full child care tuition pricing guide walks through a practical way to build and revise rates from your own numbers and the local Arkansas market.
Average child care tuition in Arkansas by center type and age
Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.
Infant | Toddler | Preschool | |
Center-based care | $7,213 | $7,214 | $6,419 |
Home-based care | $6,212 | $6,119 | $5,746 |
Most expensive counties in Arkansas for child care
Arkansas counties typically fall into one of three tiers when it comes to average annual child care costs. Eighteen out of 68 counties with available data fall into the most expensive tier, at an average of $7,712. These include Benton, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Perry, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline, and Washington Counties.
A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.
Least expensive counties in Arkansas for child care
Sebastian County sits in a pricing tier of its own as the least expensive county in Arkansas for child care in 2026. The average across care types and ages is $5,448.
Average child care costs in Arkansas by county
Sixty-eight out of 75 Arkansas counties had available tuition data, and they are listed below in alphabetical order with a breakdown of average prices across infant, preschool and toddler care in centers and homes.
Arkansas County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Ashley County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Baxter County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Benton County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Boone County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Bradley County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Carroll County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Chicot County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Clark County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Clay County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Cleburne County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Columbia County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Conway County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Craighead County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Crawford County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Crittenden County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Cross County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Dallas County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Desha County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Drew County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Faulkner County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Franklin County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Fulton County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Garland County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Grant County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Greene County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Hempstead County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Hot Spring County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Howard County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Independence County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Izard County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Jackson County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Jefferson County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Johnson County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lafayette County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lawrence County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lee County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lincoln County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Little River County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Logan County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lonoke County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Madison County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Marion County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Miller County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Mississippi County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Monroe County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Nevada County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Ouachita County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Perry County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Phillips County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pike County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Poinsett County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Polk County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pope County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pulaski County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Randolph County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Saline County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Scott County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Searcy County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Sebastian County
Average child care tuition: $5,448
Infant, center-based care: $5,527
Infant, home-based care: $5,369
Toddler, center-based care: $5,843
Toddler, home-based care: $5,527
Preschool, center-based care: $5,211
Preschool, home-based care: $5,211
Sevier County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Sharp County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Stone County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Union County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Van Buren County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Washington County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
White County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Yell County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Data and Methodology
The data above is based on data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau), and adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December 2024 through April 2026. Data for seven counties was not available, including for Calhoun, Cleveland, Montgomery, Newton, Prairie, St. Francis, and Woodruff Counties.
This year, child care tuition for children under age five in the state of Arkansas averages $6,487 per year. But when accounting for variations in the child’s age, whether care is based out of a center or home, and the county, tuition prices swing by up to thousands of dollars per year. Ultimately, there are approximately three tiers of pricing across Arkansas counties. Child care providers across the state can use these benchmarks to help price or update their own services.
Data covering 68 of Arkansas’s 75 counties break down average tuition costs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in both center- and home-based settings. Providers can use these benchmarks – along with additional guidance for pricing based on their own costs and local market conditions – to help set or update their care prices.
Playground child care management software can help your child care center streamline operations, save money, and pay more attention to what matters. Book a free demo today.
How to price child care and daycare services in Arkansas
Tuition varies by location across Arkansas. Markets such as the Little Rock area and the Northwest Arkansas corridor often differ from Fort Smith and from many other counties, reflecting differences in operating costs, staffing ratios, materials, licensing demands, and the density of nearby programs. Local wage levels also play a role, particularly where care already takes a sizable share of household income. These local factors matter more than the statewide average alone.
Programs that stand out can usually price above nearby peers. A higher Better Beginnings level, reliable year-round or nontraditional hours, infant classrooms that remain open when others scale back, or a curriculum families cannot easily find nearby can support stronger rates. Even so, those fees should be checked regularly against actual enrollment, waitlists, payroll and utility costs, and seasonal demand shifts. Playground’s full child care tuition pricing guide walks through a practical way to build and revise rates from your own numbers and the local Arkansas market.
Average child care tuition in Arkansas by center type and age
Averages are across all counties, separated by child age and center type (home-based or center-based). Costs are for a full year of care.
Infant | Toddler | Preschool | |
Center-based care | $7,213 | $7,214 | $6,419 |
Home-based care | $6,212 | $6,119 | $5,746 |
Most expensive counties in Arkansas for child care
Arkansas counties typically fall into one of three tiers when it comes to average annual child care costs. Eighteen out of 68 counties with available data fall into the most expensive tier, at an average of $7,712. These include Benton, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Faulkner, Garland, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Perry, Poinsett, Pulaski, Saline, and Washington Counties.
A further breakdown of the average costs by care type and center type can be found below.
Least expensive counties in Arkansas for child care
Sebastian County sits in a pricing tier of its own as the least expensive county in Arkansas for child care in 2026. The average across care types and ages is $5,448.
Average child care costs in Arkansas by county
Sixty-eight out of 75 Arkansas counties had available tuition data, and they are listed below in alphabetical order with a breakdown of average prices across infant, preschool and toddler care in centers and homes.
Arkansas County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Ashley County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Baxter County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Benton County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Boone County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Bradley County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Carroll County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Chicot County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Clark County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Clay County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Cleburne County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Columbia County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Conway County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Craighead County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Crawford County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Crittenden County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Cross County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Dallas County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Desha County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Drew County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Faulkner County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Franklin County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Fulton County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Garland County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Grant County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Greene County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Hempstead County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Hot Spring County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Howard County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Independence County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Izard County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Jackson County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Jefferson County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Johnson County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lafayette County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lawrence County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lee County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lincoln County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Little River County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Logan County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Lonoke County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Madison County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Marion County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Miller County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Mississippi County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Monroe County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Nevada County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Ouachita County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Perry County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Phillips County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pike County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Poinsett County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Polk County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pope County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Pulaski County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Randolph County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Saline County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
Scott County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Searcy County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Sebastian County
Average child care tuition: $5,448
Infant, center-based care: $5,527
Infant, home-based care: $5,369
Toddler, center-based care: $5,843
Toddler, home-based care: $5,527
Preschool, center-based care: $5,211
Preschool, home-based care: $5,211
Sevier County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Sharp County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Stone County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Union County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Van Buren County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Washington County
Average child care tuition: $7,712
Infant, center-based care: $9,316
Infant, home-based care: $7,264
Toddler, center-based care: $9,003
Toddler, home-based care: $6,475
Preschool, center-based care: $8,053
Preschool, home-based care: $6,159
White County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Yell County
Average child care tuition: $6,058
Infant, center-based care: $6,475
Infant, home-based care: $5,843
Toddler, center-based care: $6,584
Toddler, home-based care: $6,001
Preschool, center-based care: $5,843
Preschool, home-based care: $5,605
Data and Methodology
The data above is based on data from the National Database of Childcare Prices for 2024, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau), and adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for December 2024 through April 2026. Data for seven counties was not available, including for Calhoun, Cleveland, Montgomery, Newton, Prairie, St. Francis, and Woodruff Counties.
Jaclyn is a data journalist and CFP™ who evaluates trends in the childcare industry and wider economy. She has previously worked for publications including CNET, SmartAsset, Bizfluent, AZCentral and Chron, and as a research consultant for NAPCO Media. Her insights are often cited by publications including Bloomberg, CNBC, Business Insider, Fox News, USA Today, The Hill and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics and mathematics from The College of New Jersey.
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