How much does infant daycare cost in Montgomery County, MD?

In Montgomery County, median infant center care costs roughly $415 per week ($1,800 per month or $21,580 annually), with Bethesda and Potomac centers regularly charging over $2,200 monthly.

Is home daycare cheaper in Maryland?

Yes. Family child care homes average $239.21 per week statewide for infants, saving over $4,500 annually compared to center care.

What is the Maryland Child Care Scholarship program?

The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program is Maryland's state subsidy voucher program that pays childcare costs for eligible working or student parents, with copayments determined on a sliding scale.

What are staff-to-child ratios in Maryland daycares?

Maryland licensing rules require a 1-to-3 ratio for infants under six months in group centers, a 1-to-4 ratio for children six to 24 months, and a 1-to-6 ratio for two-year-old toddlers.

COST DATA · BUDGETING

Maryland Childcare Costs by County: Official Data

By Sharon Ben-Moshe · October 12, 2026

Maryland is one of the highest-earning and highest-cost childcare states in the nation. Fueled by federal government employment, defense contractors, and biotechnology firms in the Washington-Baltimore corridor, childcare tuition represents a major budget item. Official figures from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) reveal a statewide population-weighted median of $327.39 per week ($17,024 annually) for infant center care, and $239.21 per week ($12,439 annually) for family child care homes.

Prices differ markedly between affluent Capital Region suburbs, Baltimore City, and the Eastern Shore.

Montgomery, Prince George's, and regional county data

Maryland's childcare costs reflect proximity to the nation's capital:

Montgomery County: The most expensive county in Maryland. Infant center tuition averages over $415 per week ($21,580 per year), with Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Silver Spring centers frequently charging $2,100 to $2,500 monthly. Home-based infant care averages $275 per week.
Prince George's County: Infant center care averages $330 per week ($17,160 annually), while home-based providers average $240 per week.
Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City): High median family incomes drive infant center medians to $385 per week ($20,020 annually).
Baltimore County and Baltimore City: Infant center care averages $285 to $310 per week, while home daycares average $210 per week.
Western Maryland and Eastern Shore (Washington, Wicomico): Center infant care drops to $210 to $240 per week.

According to research from the U.S. Department of Labor, infant center care in Montgomery and Howard Counties absorbs over 17% of median household earnings.

Review our full dataset in the Maryland childcare cost directory.

Age group price transitions in Maryland centers

Tuition decreases steadily as children progress toward school age:

Infant center care: $327.39 per week ($17,024 annually) statewide median; $239.21 per week in family child care homes.
Toddler center care: $230.78 per week ($12,000 annually); $204.66 per week in home settings.
Preschool center care: $230.78 per week ($12,000 annually); $204.66 per week in home settings.
School-age care: $223.43 per week for full-time summer center care; $177.95 per week in home care.

The drop between infant and toddler center tuition saves families roughly $5,000 annually when a child turns two.

Review our analysis of how age changes daycare costs to track transitions.

Maryland Working Parents Child Care Scholarship

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) operates the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program:

Expanded income eligibility: Maryland significantly raised income eligibility caps to support working families, allowing families earning up to 65% of State Median Income to qualify initially.
Copayment waivers: The state enacted copayment waivers for lowest-income brackets, ensuring that qualifying families below the poverty threshold pay $0 in out-of-pocket tuition.
Maryland EXCELS ratings: Participating providers must register with Maryland EXCELS, the state quality rating system that guides subsidy reimbursement tiers.

Test your household budget and evaluate Maryland county differences using our childcare calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does infant daycare cost in Montgomery County, MD?: In Montgomery County, median infant center care costs roughly $415 per week ($1,800 per month or $21,580 annually), with Bethesda and Potomac centers regularly charging over $2,200 monthly.
Is home daycare cheaper in Maryland?: Yes. Family child care homes average $239.21 per week statewide for infants, saving over $4,500 annually compared to center care.
What is the Maryland Child Care Scholarship program?: The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program is Maryland's state subsidy voucher program that pays childcare costs for eligible working or student parents, with copayments determined on a sliding scale.
What are staff-to-child ratios in Maryland daycares?: Maryland licensing rules require a 1-to-3 ratio for infants under six months in group centers, a 1-to-4 ratio for children six to 24 months, and a 1-to-6 ratio for two-year-old toddlers.