Child care directors price their services very differently across Pennsylvania. Each county has its own signature characteristics in terms of local overhead costs, demand for child care services, whether services are home- or center-based, and competition from other businesses – all of which contribute to the dynamic pricing of child care tuition. Across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, the average annual tuition for full-time child care for children under age five is $10,205.

At the county level, the average child care tuition across Pennsylvania ranges from $6,932 to $15,582. Infant care in many locations can range even higher, however, while preschool care may come in under this range depending on the location. With so much variation, it’s important for child care directors and parents alike to consider the competitive landscape for child care when determining how much is appropriate to charge or pay. Accordingly, this guide will review real benchmark prices for child care tuition in Pennsylvania as of 2026, as well as factors that will contribute to the scope of prices in your area.

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How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Pennsylvania

The prices you set for child care services will depend on several factors unique to your location, business model, and growth goals. The quality and scope of your services are major determining factors, as are the number of families and children in your area and the level of local competition. Local cost of living also plays a significant role, as it directly affects the operating expenses child care providers must cover. Overhead costs such as rent or property taxes, utilities, equipment, staffing, and meals must be covered by tuition revenue, while still accounting for market demand and enrollment potential.For a thorough overview of how to evaluate and price your services for your specific situation, check out Playground’s child care tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania for Child Care

Chester County has the highest average child care tuition costs across all care and center types at $15,582. The top five most expensive counties in Pennsylvania for child care include:

1. Chester County: $15,582

2. Montgomery County: $15,164

3. Bucks County: $13,464

4. Washington County: $13,363

5. Mercer County: $12,648

6. Delaware County: $12,530

7. Philadelphia County: $12,240

8. Cumberland County: $11,988

9. Lackawanna County: $11,967

10. Lawrence County: $11,945

Least Expensive Counties in Pennsylvania for Child Care

Somerset County has the lowest average child care tuition prices across care types and locations at $6,932 per year. The 10 counties with the lowest average tuition prices in 2026 include:

1. Somerset County: $6,932

2. Huntingdon County: $7,714

3. Carbon County: $7,857

4. Bedford County: $8,095

5. Fulton County: $8,095

6. Cambria County: $8,137

7. Montour County: $8,274

8. Schuylkill County: $8,364

9. Lycoming County: $8,413

10. Northumberland County: $8,459

Average Child Care Costs in Pennsylvania by County

Counties are listed in alphabetical order with a breakdown of child care tuition/prices in 2026 dollars based on the center type and child age.

1. Adams County

• Average child care tuition: $10,011

• Infant, center-based care: $13,661

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,891

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,223

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,574

2. Allegheny County

• Average child care tuition: $11,559

• Infant, center-based care: $13,976

• Infant, home-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,207

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,620

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,347

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,620

3. Armstrong County

• Average child care tuition: $9,941

• Infant, center-based care: $11,223

• Infant, home-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,017

4. Beaver County

• Average child care tuition: $11,437

• Infant, center-based care: $11,865

• Infant, home-based care: $12,828

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,262

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,223

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,903

5. Bedford County

• Average child care tuition: $8,095

• Infant, center-based care: $9,043

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,979

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,420

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,055

6. Berks County

• Average child care tuition: $11,812

• Infant, center-based care: $13,789

• Infant, home-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,507

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,544

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,903

7. Blair County

• Average child care tuition: $8,963

• Infant, center-based care: $9,941

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,941

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,326

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,857

8. Bradford County

• Average child care tuition: $10,027

• Infant, center-based care: $11,897

• Infant, home-based care: $9,781

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,383

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,101

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,499

9. Bucks County

• Average child care tuition: $13,464

• Infant, center-based care: $17,670

• Infant, home-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,714

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,223

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,495

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,096

10. Butler County

• Average child care tuition: $11,464

• Infant, center-based care: $13,725

• Infant, home-based care: $9,941

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,507

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,262

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,089

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,262

11. Cambria County

• Average child care tuition: $8,137

• Infant, center-based care: $8,415

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,338

12. Cameron County

• Average child care tuition: $8,619

• Infant, center-based care: $10,342

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,697

13. Carbon County

• Average child care tuition: $7,857

• Infant, center-based care: $9,139

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,338

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,734

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,414

14. Centre County

• Average child care tuition: $11,236

• Infant, center-based care: $15,384

• Infant, home-based care: $7,697

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,477

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,376

• Preschool, center-based care: $14,431

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,055

15. Chester County

• Average child care tuition: $15,582

• Infant, center-based care: $19,511

• Infant, home-based care: $13,470

• Toddler, center-based care: $17,573

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,789

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,200

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,950

16. Clarion County

• Average child care tuition: $9,019

• Infant, center-based care: $9,941

• Infant, home-based care: $9,139

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,060

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,857

17. Clearfield County

• Average child care tuition: $8,552

• Infant, center-based care: $9,941

• Infant, home-based care: $7,776

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,376

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,060

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,895

18. Clinton County

• Average child care tuition: $8,546

• Infant, center-based care: $10,391

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,857

19. Columbia County

• Average child care tuition: $8,579

• Infant, center-based care: $9,862

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,702

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,979

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,215

20. Crawford County

• Average child care tuition: $9,995

• Infant, center-based care: $11,833

• Infant, home-based care: $11,063

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,813

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,857

21. Cumberland County

• Average child care tuition: $11,988

• Infant, center-based care: $15,425

• Infant, home-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,828

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,262

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,891

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,262

22. Dauphin County

• Average child care tuition: $11,122

• Infant, center-based care: $14,623

• Infant, home-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,668

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,620

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,658

23. Delaware County

• Average child care tuition: $12,530

• Infant, center-based care: $14,831

• Infant, home-based care: $12,187

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,206

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,223

• Preschool, center-based care: $13,149

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,583

24. Elk County

• Average child care tuition: $8,538

• Infant, center-based care: $10,342

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,536

25. Erie County

    • Average child care tuition: $10,631

    • Infant, center-based care: $12,828

    • Infant, home-based care: $9,941

    • Toddler, center-based care: $11,865

    • Toddler, home-based care: $9,620

    • Preschool, center-based care: $10,551

    • Preschool, home-based care: $8,979

26. Fayette County

• Average child care tuition: $10,680

• Infant, center-based care: $11,223

• Infant, home-based care: $10,903

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,965

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,182

27. Forest County

• Average child care tuition: $9,126

• Infant, center-based care: $9,941

• Infant, home-based care: $8,979

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,178

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,060

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,338

28. Franklin County

• Average child care tuition: $9,054

• Infant, center-based care: $10,583

• Infant, home-based care: $8,658

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,749

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,697

29. Fulton County

• Average child care tuition: $8,095

• Infant, center-based care: $9,043

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,979

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,420

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,055

30. Greene County

• Average child care tuition: $11,785

• Infant, center-based care: $11,544

• Infant, home-based care: $12,347

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,347

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,903

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,347

31. Huntingdon County

• Average child care tuition: $7,714

• Infant, center-based care: $9,043

• Infant, home-based care: $7,657

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,979

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,094

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,420

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,094

32. Indiana County

• Average child care tuition: $10,499

• Infant, center-based care: $13,068

• Infant, home-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,979

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,448

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,658

33. Jefferson County

• Average child care tuition: $9,247

• Infant, center-based care: $9,941

• Infant, home-based care: $8,979

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,178

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,060

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,060

34. Juniata County

• Average child care tuition: $10,342

• Infant, center-based care: $14,110

• Infant, home-based care: $8,098

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,828

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,984

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,017

35. Lackawanna County

• Average child care tuition: $11,967

• Infant, center-based care: $13,709

• Infant, home-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,026

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,828

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,794

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,903

36. Lancaster County

• Average child care tuition: $11,738

• Infant, center-based care: $17,292

• Infant, home-based care: $9,620

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,302

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,539

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,338

37. Lawrence County

• Average child care tuition: $11,945

• Infant, center-based care: $12,828

• Infant, home-based care: $11,544

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,988

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,544

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,544

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,223

38. Lebanon County

• Average child care tuition: $10,914

• Infant, center-based care: $11,993

• Infant, home-based care: $10,903

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,673

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,262

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,673

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,979

39. Lehigh County

• Average child care tuition: $10,630

• Infant, center-based care: $12,187

• Infant, home-based care: $10,903

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,416

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,299

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,903

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,069

40. Luzerne County

• Average child care tuition: $9,808

• Infant, center-based care: $12,507

• Infant, home-based care: $9,460

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,941

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,857

41. Lycoming County

• Average child care tuition: $8,413

• Infant, center-based care: $10,391

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,107

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,632

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,376

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,953

42. McKean County

• Average child care tuition: $8,538

• Infant, center-based care: $10,342

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,536

43. Mercer County

• Average child care tuition: $12,648

• Infant, center-based care: $16,026

• Infant, home-based care: $12,347

• Toddler, center-based care: $14,110

• Toddler, home-based care: $11,063

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,280

• Preschool, home-based care: $11,063

44. Mifflin County

• Average child care tuition: $9,771

• Infant, center-based care: $12,426

• Infant, home-based care: $8,098

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,485

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,017

45. Monroe County

• Average child care tuition: $10,155

• Infant, center-based care: $11,544

• Infant, home-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,262

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,781

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,620

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,499

46. Montgomery County

• Average child care tuition: $15,164

• Infant, center-based care: $19,177

• Infant, home-based care: $13,470

• Toddler, center-based care: $16,804

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,470

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,714

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,347

47. Montour County

• Average child care tuition: $8,274

• Infant, center-based care: $9,862

• Infant, home-based care: $6,734

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,702

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,055

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,877

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,414

48. Northampton County

• Average child care tuition: $10,679

• Infant, center-based care: $13,084

• Infant, home-based care: $9,941

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,058

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,299

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,032

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,658

49. Northumberland County

• Average child care tuition: $8,459

• Infant, center-based care: $9,220

• Infant, home-based care: $8,818

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,060

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,516

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,658

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,480

50. Perry County

• Average child care tuition: $10,561

• Infant, center-based care: $14,302

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,789

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,697

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,865

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,697

51. Philadelphia County

• Average child care tuition: $12,240

• Infant, center-based care: $15,072

• Infant, home-based care: $12,187

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,507

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,941

52. Pike County

• Average child care tuition: $10,465

• Infant, center-based care: $11,801

• Infant, home-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,583

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,781

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,262

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,139

53. Potter County

• Average child care tuition: $8,702

• Infant, center-based care: $10,391

• Infant, home-based care: $8,178

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,178

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,146

54. Schuylkill County

• Average child care tuition: $8,364

• Infant, center-based care: $9,139

• Infant, home-based care: $8,818

• Toddler, center-based care: $8,338

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,658

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,376

55. Snyder County

• Average child care tuition: $8,728

• Infant, center-based care: $9,862

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,702

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,877

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,215

56. Somerset County

• Average child care tuition: $6,932

• Infant, center-based care: $7,921

• Infant, home-based care: $7,376

• Toddler, center-based care: $7,055

• Toddler, home-based care: $6,094

• Preschool, center-based care: $7,055

• Preschool, home-based care: $6,094

57. Sullivan County

• Average child care tuition: $10,914

• Infant, center-based care: $13,854

• Infant, home-based care: $9,941

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,828

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,658

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,544

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,658

58. Susquehanna County

• Average child care tuition: $10,770

• Infant, center-based care: $13,149

• Infant, home-based care: $9,781

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,828

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,865

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,499

59. Tioga County

• Average child care tuition: $8,798

• Infant, center-based care: $10,455

• Infant, home-based care: $8,017

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,017

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,658

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,338

60. Union County

• Average child care tuition: $8,728

• Infant, center-based care: $9,862

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,702

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,877

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,215

61. Venango County

• Average child care tuition: $10,278

• Infant, center-based care: $11,833

• Infant, home-based care: $10,101

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,122

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,613

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,499

62. Warren County

• Average child care tuition: $8,538

• Infant, center-based care: $10,342

• Infant, home-based care: $7,857

• Toddler, center-based care: $9,299

• Toddler, home-based care: $7,857

• Preschool, center-based care: $8,338

• Preschool, home-based care: $7,536

63. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $13,363

• Infant, center-based care: $14,110

• Infant, home-based care: $13,149

• Toddler, center-based care: $13,149

• Toddler, home-based care: $13,470

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,828

• Preschool, home-based care: $13,470

64. Wayne County

• Average child care tuition: $10,695

• Infant, center-based care: $13,149

• Infant, home-based care: $11,223

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,021

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,941

• Preschool, center-based care: $9,573

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,262

65. Westmoreland County

• Average child care tuition: $11,432

• Infant, center-based care: $13,149

• Infant, home-based care: $10,903

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,154

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,544

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,262

66. Wyoming County

• Average child care tuition: $10,267

• Infant, center-based care: $12,379

• Infant, home-based care: $9,781

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,865

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,499

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,583

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,499

67. York County

• Average child care tuition: $10,588

• Infant, center-based care: $12,891

• Infant, home-based care: $8,818

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,379

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,979

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,481

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,979

Data and Methodology

The data above is adjusted to 2026 dollars based on the latest data from the National Database of Childcare Prices, released by the U.S. Department of Labor (Women’s Bureau).