In Connecticut, the average annual child care tuition for children under age five is $16,476. This figure includes both center- and home-based care across the state’s eight counties. Costs and other factors create a wide range of prices, however.

Providers looking for a reference – whether setting initial prices or adjusting them to keep up with rising costs – can use the benchmark data below to see what competitors are charging.

Prices vary not only by county and local costs, but also by the child’s age and whether care is offered in a center or home setting. The breakdowns that follow give providers local reference points based on what parents are typically shopping for. These figures are only one input for pricing decisions, so additional tips for setting your own rates are included below.

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How to price child care and daycare services in Connecticut

Tuition varies by location across Connecticut. Markets such as Fairfield County and the Hartford and New Haven areas often differ from more rural counties like Litchfield or Windham, 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. Stronger quality indicators (such as NAEYC accreditation), 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 Connecticut market.

Average child care tuition in Connecticut 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.

Most expensive counties in Connecticut for child care

Across Connecticut, Fairfield County has the most expensive child care tuition on average. Across care and center types, the annual cost averages $20,851 for 2026. Income care based out of a center averages highest at $25,862 annually, while home-based toddler and preschooler care averages lowest at $18,255. 

A further breakdown of the average costs by care type, center type, and county can be found below.

Least expensive counties in Connecticut for child care

Three Connecticut counties rank as least expensive for child care tuition across all ages and center types for children under five. New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties all average the lowest for child care tuition in 2026 at $14,351. A further breakdown of average tuition for different care types in these counties can be found below. 

Average child care costs in Connecticut by county

Eight Connecticut counties are listed below in alphabetical order with a breakdown of average prices across infant, preschool and toddler care in centers and homes. 

1. Fairfield County

• Average child care tuition: $20,851

• Infant, center-based care: $25,862

• Infant, home-based care: $18,255

• Toddler, center-based care: $25,862

• Toddler, home-based care: $18,255

• Preschool, center-based care: $18,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $18,255

2. Hartford County

• Average child care tuition: $16,328

• Infant, center-based care: $20,080

• Infant, home-based care: $14,604

• Toddler, center-based care: $20,080

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,996

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,213

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,996

3. Litchfield County

• Average child care tuition: $16,582

• Infant, center-based care: $18,864

• Infant, home-based care: $15,822

• Toddler, center-based care: $18,864

• Toddler, home-based care: $15,213

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,517

• Preschool, home-based care: $15,213

4. Middlesex County

• Average child care tuition: $17,495

• Infant, center-based care: $21,298

• Infant, home-based care: $15,213

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,298

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,909

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,342

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,909

5. New Haven County

• Average child care tuition: $17,495

• Infant, center-based care: $21,298

• Infant, home-based care: $15,213

• Toddler, center-based care: $21,298

• Toddler, home-based care: $14,909

• Preschool, center-based care: $17,342

• Preschool, home-based care: $14,909

6. New London County

• Average child care tuition: $14,351

• Infant, center-based care: $17,647

• Infant, home-based care: $12,171

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,647

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,300

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

7. Tolland County

• Average child care tuition: $14,351

• Infant, center-based care: $17,647

• Infant, home-based care: $12,171

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,647

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,300

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

8. Windham County

• Average child care tuition: $14,351

• Infant, center-based care: $17,647

• Infant, home-based care: $12,171

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,647

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,300

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

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.