Surprisingly, although costs are high, many times child care providers are not earning much more than minimum wage. Reasons why child care can be so expensive include the following:
- High ratios of adults to children in programs for infants and toddlers
- Qualifications of the provider or teachers
- Geographic location
- Insurance costs
- Appropriate equipment
- Nutritious food
- Type of program
- Cost of space (rent, utilities, etc.)
Generally speaking, hiring an in-home caregiver tends to be the most expensive form of care, followed by child care centers and family child care homes. Cost of school age programs and camps varies according to the type of program.
Child Care Cost in Arizona
Listed below are the average (median) weekly full time costs of child care. Rates are based on the 2008 DES Market Rate Survey. These are averages only. The cost of child care varies from county to county and within individual communities.
For more information, please contact Arizona CCR&R at (800) 308-9000
Tucson (520) 325-5778
Yuma (928) 783-4003
Phoenix (602) 244-2678
DES Child Care Administration Site, You May Be Eligible for Assistance .
DES District 1
Maricopa County
| Ages | Child Care Centers | Approved Homes* | Certified Group Homes | Unregulated Homes |
| Under 1 year | $190.00 | $100.00 | $135.00 | $135.00 |
| 1& 2 years | $175.00 | $100.00 | $125.00 | $130.00 |
| 3, 4 & 5 years | $150.00 | $100.00 | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| School Age | $137.50 | $75.00 | $120.00 | $125.00 |
DES District 2
Pima County
|
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
Unregulated Homes |
|
Under 1 year |
$165.10 |
$110.00 |
$125.00 |
$130.00 |
|
1 & 2 years |
$155.00 |
$110.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
|
3, 4 & 5 years |
$138.00 |
$110.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
|
School Age |
$121.00 |
$102.50 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
DES District 3
Apache, Coconino, Navajo & Yavapai Counties
|
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
Unregulated Homes |
|
Under 1 year |
$125.00 |
$120.00 |
$130.00 |
$125.00 |
|
1 & 2 years |
$110.00 |
$105.00 |
$135.00 |
$100.00 |
|
3, 4 & 5 years |
$105.00 |
$100.00 |
$80.00 |
$100.00 |
|
School Age |
$112.50 |
$100.00 |
$150.40 |
$75.00 |
DES District 4
La Paz, Mohave & Yuma Counties
|
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
Unregulated Homes |
|
Under 1 year |
$125.00 |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
$125.00 |
|
1 & 2 years |
$110.00 |
$97.50 |
$105.00 |
$125.00 |
|
3, 4 & 5 years |
$105.00 |
$90.00 |
$100.00 |
$117.50 |
|
School Age |
$100.00 |
$90.00 |
$100.00 |
$95.00 |
DES District 5
Gila & Pinal Counties
|
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
Unregulated Homes |
|
Under 1 year |
$165.00 |
$125.00 |
$135.00 |
$130.00 |
|
1 & 2 years |
$150.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
|
3, 4 & 5 years |
$125.00 |
$120.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
|
School Age |
$125.00 |
$110.00 |
$125.00 |
$125.00 |
DES District 6
Cochise, Graham, Greenlee & Santa Cruz Counties
|
Ages |
Child Care Centers |
Approved Homes* |
Certified Group Homes |
Unregulated Homes |
|
Under 1 year |
$145.00 |
$117.00 |
$121.00 |
$100.00 |
|
1 & 2 years |
$126.00 |
$108.50 |
$100.00 |
$90.00 |
|
3, 4 & 5 years |
$120.00 |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
$75.00 |
|
School Age |
$137.50 |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
$100.00 |
* Approved homes include all DES Certified Homes and ADE Alternate Approval Homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
