How much does infant daycare cost in Nashville, TN?

In Davidson County, median infant center care costs roughly $275 per week ($1,190 per month or $14,300 per year), with premier Nashville centers charging $1,400 to $1,800 monthly.

Is in-home daycare cheaper in Tennessee?

Yes. Family child care homes average $155.00 per week statewide for infants, saving roughly $2,950 annually compared to center care.

What is Smart Steps in Tennessee?

Smart Steps is a Tennessee DHS childcare subsidy program that helps working parents and college students earning below 85% of State Median Income pay for childcare.

What are staff-to-child ratios for infants in Tennessee?

Tennessee licensing rules mandate a 1-to-4 staff-to-child ratio for infants under six weeks, and a 1-to-4 ratio for infants six weeks through 15 months, with a maximum group size of 8.

COST DATA · BUDGETING

Tennessee Childcare Costs by County: Official Data

By Sharon Ben-Moshe · October 14, 2026

Tennessee offers relatively affordable childcare compared to national averages, but rapid economic growth in Nashville and Middle Tennessee has driven early childhood tuition sharply higher. According to official population-weighted data from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), the statewide median for infant center care is $211.67 per week ($11,007 per year), while family child care homes average $155.00 per week ($8,060 per year).

Across Tennessee's 95 counties, childcare costs vary significantly between Davidson County and rural Appalachian and West Tennessee communities.

Davidson, Shelby, and county-level rate benchmarks

Childcare expenses across Tennessee's primary urban counties reflect regional labor markets:

Davidson County (Nashville): The most expensive county in Tennessee. Infant center care averages $275 per week ($14,300 annually), with downtown Nashville and Williamson County suburbs (Franklin, Brentwood) regularly charging $1,400 to $1,800 per month. Home-based infant care averages $195 per week.
Shelby County (Memphis): Infant center care averages $195 per week ($10,140 annually), and home-based providers average $145 per week.
Knox County (Knoxville): Center infant tuition averages $215 per week ($11,180 annually), with preschool care averaging $160 per week.
Hamilton County (Chattanooga): Center infant care averages $220 per week, and home daycares average $155 per week.
Rutherford County (Murfreesboro): Growing Nashville suburbs average $235 per week for infant center care.
Rural Tennessee Counties: Center infant care medians drop to $130 to $165 per week where center capacity exists.

According to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau, infant center care in Davidson County absorbs over 16% of median family income.

Inspect full county price tables in our Tennessee childcare cost directory.

Age group price changes across Tennessee centers

Tuition decreases as children move from infant rooms to preschool:

Infant center care: $211.67 per week ($11,007 annually) statewide median; $155.00 per week in family child care homes.
Toddler center care: $146.35 per week ($7,610 annually); $128.26 per week in home settings.
Preschool center care: $146.35 per week ($7,610 annually); $128.26 per week in home settings.
School-age center care: $76.33 per week for summer center care; $105.00 per week in home daycares.

The transition from infant to toddler care represents an annual savings of approximately $3,400 for parents using center-based care.

Review our guide on how age changes daycare costs to track transitions.

Tennessee Child Care Certificate Program

Tennessee supports low-income working families through the Child Care Certificate Program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS):

Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance: Designed specifically for working parents and college students earning below 85% of State Median Income with children under age six.
Co-payments: Copayments are established on a sliding fee scale based on family income and household size.
Star-Quality Program: Tennessee rates licensed childcare agencies from one to three stars, with higher-rated facilities receiving bonus reimbursement rates from the state.

Test your household budget and compare Tennessee options using our childcare calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does infant daycare cost in Nashville, TN?: In Davidson County, median infant center care costs roughly $275 per week ($1,190 per month or $14,300 per year), with premier Nashville centers charging $1,400 to $1,800 monthly.
Is in-home daycare cheaper in Tennessee?: Yes. Family child care homes average $155.00 per week statewide for infants, saving roughly $2,950 annually compared to center care.
What is Smart Steps in Tennessee?: Smart Steps is a Tennessee DHS childcare subsidy program that helps working parents and college students earning below 85% of State Median Income pay for childcare.
What are staff-to-child ratios for infants in Tennessee?: Tennessee licensing rules mandate a 1-to-4 staff-to-child ratio for infants under six weeks, and a 1-to-4 ratio for infants six weeks through 15 months, with a maximum group size of 8.