How much do you pay for childcare for infant?

We are looking to start a family soon, and I am a little hesitant because of the cost of childcare. I have been looking at what in-home and daycare facilities charge and the range is pretty wide - about $400 to $1000 per month for an infant. I'm in the Portland, OR area. What do you pay?

Public Comments

1. I paid $110 a week when my child was under 2. After he turned 2 it was $90 and when he turned school age it went down to $60 for before and after school car. We live in FL and he went to a private pre-school


2. $190 per week for infant. $165 for toddler. I live in south florida


3. I live in the area of Ft Knox, KY and pay $40 per week for 20hrs of child care for my daughter. We only use about 10-12hrs so technically, if she is available, we could use the rest if necessary as long as we give the lady notice.

   She goes to an in home business licensed, state child care certified provider. Other day care facilities in my area charge $80-$130 per week for part time services. That is ridiculous for a baby who only needs 2 days of care!

   We were fortunate to find this lady as she just moved back here and is starting up her business. She's awesome and has good experience.



4. Childcare can be expensive. In Pittsburg, KS it runs about $800 per week. Because of this expense, my husband and I decided it would be cheaper for one of us to be a stay at home parent.


5. I am a stay at home mom and babysit children from my home. I charge them $130 per week for full time. Daycare is much more expensive in my area than that. Around $250 a week for a child under 2-for the good facilities.


6. In the San Francisco Bay Area, ALL the day cares I called charged around $800 a month. No joke, That was for a 3 year old, Infants cost over $1,000 a month and that did not include formula. The day care my son is in right now is $880 a month and you have to do volunteer time every month. When I lived in Ogden Utah, Day care was about $400 a month for in home day care.


7. I got a great deal-free... I raise all my own myself! :) I highly suggest it, you can NEVER get this time back...


8. We start tomorrow and are paying $220 per week. I live in the San Diego area and the price appears to compare to the area, so the more expensive the area is to live in, the rates are higher (I've seen up to $370 per week) probably because the rent for the facility is so much.


9. I am a stay at home mom with a daycare but I charge $100 per week per child.