Child care providers across Wisconsin’s 72 counties set their tuition at notably different levels. Local cost of living directly affects operating expenses, and program directors must cover these costs to maintain sustainable operations. Child age also plays a major role, as state-mandated staff-to-child ratios and staff qualifications vary significantly by age group. Additionally, whether care is provided in a home-based setting or a commercial center influences appropriate pricing levels.

For 2026, the average annual child care tuition for children under five in Wisconsin is $11,068. However, actual rates can swing by $5,000 or more depending on location, care type, and individual program. Many directors need clear market benchmarks to price their services competitively and position their programs for financial success while remaining attractive to families in their specific community. 

This guide provides detailed 2026 child care tuition data for every Wisconsin county, broken down by service type and child age. It also includes practical best practices to help you set your own rates using nine key factors that position your business relative to local competitors.

Looking for ways to streamline your Wisconsin child care or daycare business and improve your bottom line? Consider booking a free demo with Playground.

How to Price Child Care and Daycare Services in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin’s competitive child care landscape, smart tuition pricing is one of the most important decisions a provider makes. Your rates need to strike a careful balance, remaining affordable enough to attract and retain families while covering increasing expenses, supporting quality staffing, and protecting your program’s financial health. 

Getting your pricing right is essential. While some adjustment through trial and error is normal, starting with accurate, county-specific market benchmarks gives you a solid foundation. By reviewing county-specific benchmarks and weighing them against your operating costs, program quality, and differentiators, you can set prices that feel fair to parents and sustainable for your business. For additional proven strategies on building a profitable pricing model, see Playground’s full child care tuition pricing guide.

Average Child Care Costs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin for Child Care

Out of 72 counties in Wisconsin, 10 are tied for the most expensive average annual child care tuition across all ages under five and care types. 

Brown, Dane, Eau Claire, Kenosha, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Racine, Rock, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties are are most expensive for child care at an average of $14,508. Prices across different ages and care types average the same amount across these locations.

Least Expensive Counties in Wisconsin for Child Care

Twenty-six Wisconsin counties are tied for the least expensive across ages and care types, at an average of $9,706 annually. 

These counties include Adams, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Clark, Florence, Forest, Iowa, Juneau, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Pepin, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Tremplealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, and Waushara Counties are among the locales with the least expensive child care tuition pricing.

Average Child Care Costs in Wisconsin 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: $9,706

   • Infant, center-based care: $11,075

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,127

   • Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,672
     
     

2. Ashland County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $10,598

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,778

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,432

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
     
     

3. Barron County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $10,598

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,778

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,432

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
     
     

4. Bayfield County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $9,706

   • Infant, center-based care: $11,075

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,127

   • Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,672
     
     

5. Brown County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $14,508

   • Infant, center-based care: $17,830

   • Infant, home-based care: $13,387

   • Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

   • Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

   • Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

   • Preschool, home-based care: $12,171
     
     

6. Buffalo County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $9,706

   • Infant, center-based care: $11,075

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,127

   • Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,672
     
     

7. Burnett County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $9,706

   • Infant, center-based care: $11,075

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,127

   • Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

   • Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

   • Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

   • Preschool, home-based care: $8,672
     
     

8. Calumet County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $11,876

   • Infant, center-based care: $14,361

   • Infant, home-based care: $10,649

   • Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

   • Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

   • Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

   • Preschool, home-based care: $10,345
     
     

9. Chippewa County
   
   

   • Average child care tuition: $10,598

   • Infant, center-based care: $12,778

   • Infant, home-based care: $9,432

   • Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

   • Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

   • Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

   • Preschool, home-based care: $9,127
     
     

10. Clark County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

11. Columbia County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

12. Crawford County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

13. Dane County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

14. Dodge County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

15. Door County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

16. Douglas County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

17. Dunn County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

18. Eau Claire County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

19. Florence County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

20. Fond du Lac County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

21. Forest County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

22. Grant County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

23. Green County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

24. Green Lake County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

25. Iowa County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

26. Iron County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

27. Jackson County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

28. Jefferson County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

29. Juneau County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

30. Kenosha County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

31. Kewaunee County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

32. La Crosse County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

33. Lafayette County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

34. Langlade County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

35. Lincoln County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

36. Manitowoc County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

37. Marathon County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

38. Marinette County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

39. Marquette County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

40. Menominee County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

41. Milwaukee County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

42. Monroe County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

43. Oconto County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

44. Oneida County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

45. Outagamie County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

46. Ozaukee County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

47. Pepin County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

48. Pierce County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

49. Polk County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

50. Portage County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

51. Price County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

52. Racine County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

53. Richland County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

54. Rock County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

55. Rusk County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

56. Sauk County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

57. Sawyer County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

58. Shawano County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

59. Sheboygan County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

60. St. Croix County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

61. Taylor County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

62. Trempealeau County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

63. Vernon County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

64. Vilas County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

65. Walworth County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

66. Washburn County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

67. Washington County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

68. Waukesha County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

69. Waupaca County

• Average child care tuition: $10,598

• Infant, center-based care: $12,778

• Infant, home-based care: $9,432

• Toddler, center-based care: $11,562

• Toddler, home-based care: $9,127

• Preschool, center-based care: $11,562

• Preschool, home-based care: $9,127

70. Waushara County

• Average child care tuition: $9,706

• Infant, center-based care: $11,075

• Infant, home-based care: $9,127

• Toddler, center-based care: $10,345

• Toddler, home-based care: $8,672

• Preschool, center-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, home-based care: $8,672

71. Winnebago County

• Average child care tuition: $14,508

• Infant, center-based care: $17,830

• Infant, home-based care: $13,387

• Toddler, center-based care: $15,746

• Toddler, home-based care: $12,171

• Preschool, center-based care: $15,746

• Preschool, home-based care: $12,171

72. Wood County

• Average child care tuition: $11,876

• Infant, center-based care: $14,361

• Infant, home-based care: $10,649

• Toddler, center-based care: $12,778

• Toddler, home-based care: $10,345

• Preschool, center-based care: $12,778

• Preschool, home-based care: $10,345

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).