Average Daycare Cost in Georgia 2026, Per Week

Georgia offers a major advantage for parents: free universal Pre-K for all 4-year-olds, regardless of income. This landmark program, the first of its kind in the nation, saves families thousands of dollars while providing high-quality early education. For younger children, costs vary significantly between metro Atlanta and the rest of the state. This guide covers what families actually pay across the Peach State.

Statewide, Georgia ranks 41st of the 50 states and DC for center infant care prices in Child Care Aware of America's 2024 data, one of the more affordable places to pay for daycare. If you live near a state line, compare Florida and North Carolina prices too.

Average Daycare Cost in Georgia (Latest Statewide Data)

Age group	Center, per year	Center, per month	Center, per week	Family child care home, per month
Infant	$11,066	$922	$213	$701
Toddler	$10,537	$878	$203	$670
4-year-old	$9,573	$798	$184	$650

Source: Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Tables I and II. Statewide averages for full-time care at 2024 prices, the latest published. Monthly figures are the annual price divided by 12, weekly figures divided by 52.

For context, Child Care Aware of America put the national average price of care, across all ages and care types, at $13,128 a year in its 2024 Price and Supply analysis.

Georgia Daycare Cost by Region

Monthly Estimates at a Glance

Care Type	Atlanta Metro	Other Cities	Rural Areas
Infant Daycare	$1,200-$1,800	$900-$1,300	$700-$1,000
Toddler Daycare	$1,000-$1,500	$800-$1,100	$600-$900
Preschool (3s)	$900-$1,400	$700-$1,000	$550-$800
Pre-K (4s)	FREE	FREE	FREE
Nanny	$2,800-$4,000	$2,200-$3,200	$2,000-$2,800
Home Daycare	$800-$1,200	$600-$900	$500-$750

Regional ranges are estimates of typical full-time rates. Individual centers vary, so confirm current tuition with each provider.

Why Atlanta runs above the state average: the statewide figure blends lower-priced centers in smaller cities and rural counties, and Georgia's infant ratio (1:6) is looser than in most higher-priced states. See child care ratios by state to compare.

Georgia's free Pre-K program removes a year of tuition before kindergarten, roughly $9,500 at the state's average center price for a 4-year-old, making the state one of the most affordable for families with 4-year-olds.

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Atlanta Metro Costs

City of Atlanta (Inside the Perimeter)

Atlanta's ITP neighborhoods have the highest childcare costs in the state, with significant variation by neighborhood.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,400-$2,000	$16,800-$24,000
Toddler Daycare	$1,200-$1,700	$14,400-$20,400
Preschool	$1,000-$1,500	$12,000-$18,000
Nanny	$3,200-$4,500	$38,400-$54,000
Home Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800

By neighborhood:

Neighborhood	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Buckhead	$1,800-$2,300	$1,500-$2,000	Highest costs, premium centers
Midtown	$1,600-$2,100	$1,400-$1,800	High demand, limited spots
Virginia-Highland	$1,600-$2,000	$1,350-$1,750	Family-friendly, long waitlists
Inman Park	$1,500-$1,950	$1,300-$1,700	Popular with young families
Decatur	$1,400-$1,800	$1,200-$1,600	Great schools, high demand
East Atlanta	$1,300-$1,700	$1,100-$1,500	Growing options
Grant Park	$1,350-$1,750	$1,150-$1,550	Family-oriented
West End	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	More affordable ITP option
Southwest Atlanta	$1,000-$1,400	$850-$1,200	Most affordable ITP

ITP tips:

• Buckhead and Midtown have the longest waitlists (9-18 months for infants)
• Decatur is technically its own city with excellent public schools and Pre-K options
• Many families in Virginia-Highland and Inman Park use nanny shares to offset costs

North Metro (OTP North)

The northern suburbs offer slightly lower costs than ITP with excellent school districts.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,300-$1,800	$15,600-$21,600
Toddler Daycare	$1,100-$1,500	$13,200-$18,000
Preschool	$900-$1,300	$10,800-$15,600
Nanny	$3,000-$4,000	$36,000-$48,000
Home Daycare	$850-$1,200	$10,200-$14,400

By area:

Area	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Sandy Springs	$1,500-$1,900	$1,300-$1,650	ITP-adjacent, high quality
Dunwoody	$1,400-$1,850	$1,200-$1,600	Perimeter center area
Alpharetta	$1,350-$1,800	$1,150-$1,550	Excellent schools
Johns Creek	$1,400-$1,850	$1,200-$1,600	Top-rated schools
Roswell	$1,300-$1,750	$1,100-$1,500	Good value
Marietta	$1,200-$1,650	$1,000-$1,450	More affordable
Kennesaw	$1,150-$1,550	$950-$1,350	Growing area
Woodstock	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	Cherokee County, value

North metro specifics:

• Alpharetta and Johns Creek have high demand due to excellent Fulton County schools
• Marietta and Kennesaw offer better value while still in Cobb County's good school district
• Many chain centers (Primrose, Goddard, Kindercare) in this area

East Metro

Gwinnett County and surrounding areas offer moderate costs with growing options.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,100-$1,500	$13,200-$18,000
Toddler Daycare	$950-$1,300	$11,400-$15,600
Preschool	$800-$1,100	$9,600-$13,200
Nanny	$2,600-$3,500	$31,200-$42,000
Home Daycare	$750-$1,050	$9,000-$12,600

Key areas:

Area	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Lawrenceville	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	Gwinnett hub
Suwanee	$1,200-$1,600	$1,000-$1,400	Higher quality options
Duluth	$1,150-$1,550	$975-$1,350	Growing market
Snellville	$1,050-$1,450	$900-$1,250	Good value
Stone Mountain	$1,000-$1,400	$850-$1,200	DeKalb County
Conyers	$1,000-$1,350	$850-$1,150	Rockdale County

South Metro

Generally the most affordable area in metro Atlanta with good value.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Toddler Daycare	$850-$1,200	$10,200-$14,400
Preschool	$750-$1,050	$9,000-$12,600
Nanny	$2,400-$3,200	$28,800-$38,400
Home Daycare	$650-$950	$7,800-$11,400

Key areas:

Area	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Peachtree City	$1,100-$1,500	$950-$1,300	Fayette County, premium
Fayetteville	$1,000-$1,400	$850-$1,200	Good schools
McDonough	$950-$1,350	$800-$1,150	Henry County, growing
Stockbridge	$900-$1,300	$775-$1,100	Affordable
Jonesboro	$850-$1,250	$725-$1,050	Clayton County
Newnan	$950-$1,350	$800-$1,150	Coweta County

West Metro

Cobb County suburbs west of Atlanta.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,150-$1,600	$13,800-$19,200
Toddler Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Preschool	$850-$1,200	$10,200-$14,400

Key areas: Smyrna, Vinings, Powder Springs, Douglasville

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Other Georgia Cities

Savannah

Coastal city with moderate costs and charming downtown options.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$1,000-$1,400	$12,000-$16,800
Toddler Daycare	$850-$1,200	$10,200-$14,400
Preschool	$750-$1,050	$9,000-$12,600
Nanny	$2,500-$3,400	$30,000-$40,800
Home Daycare	$700-$1,000	$8,400-$12,000

Savannah specifics:

• Historic downtown has limited options but charming programs
• Pooler and Richmond Hill (suburbs) have more chain centers
• Tourism industry means some providers have flexible scheduling
• Georgia Pre-K widely available

Augusta

Second-largest metro with medical community influence.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$900-$1,250	$10,800-$15,000
Toddler Daycare	$750-$1,050	$9,000-$12,600
Preschool	$650-$950	$7,800-$11,400
Nanny	$2,300-$3,100	$27,600-$37,200
Home Daycare	$600-$850	$7,200-$10,200

Augusta notes:

• Medical College of Georgia and military presence influence market
• Evans and Martinez suburbs have newer centers
• Fort Gordon (now Fort Eisenhower) provides military childcare options

Columbus

Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) area with military influence.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$850-$1,150	$10,200-$13,800
Toddler Daycare	$700-$1,000	$8,400-$12,000
Preschool	$600-$900	$7,200-$10,800
Nanny	$2,100-$2,900	$25,200-$34,800
Home Daycare	$550-$800	$6,600-$9,600

Military families: On-post childcare at Fort Moore offers income-based rates, often significantly lower than off-post options.

Macon

Central Georgia city with affordable options.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$800-$1,100	$9,600-$13,200
Toddler Daycare	$700-$950	$8,400-$11,400
Preschool	$600-$850	$7,200-$10,200
Home Daycare	$500-$750	$6,000-$9,000

Athens

University of Georgia town with student-influenced market.

Care Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Infant Daycare	$950-$1,300	$11,400-$15,600
Toddler Daycare	$800-$1,100	$9,600-$13,200
Preschool	$700-$1,000	$8,400-$12,000

Athens specifics:

• UGA-affiliated centers have waitlists but excellent quality
• Graduate students provide affordable nanny options
• Classic City vibe with creative programs

Other Cities

City	Infant Daycare	Toddler Daycare	Notes
Valdosta	$750-$1,050	$650-$900	South Georgia
Albany	$700-$1,000	$600-$850	Southwest Georgia
Warner Robins	$800-$1,100	$700-$950	Robins AFB area
Gainesville	$900-$1,250	$775-$1,075	North Georgia
Rome	$800-$1,100	$700-$950	Northwest Georgia

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Georgia's Free Pre-K Program

Georgia Pre-K (Bright from the Start)

Georgia Pre-K was the nation's first universal pre-K program, established in 1995 and funded by the Georgia Lottery.

Eligibility:

• All Georgia 4-year-olds (must turn 4 by September 1)
• No income requirements
• No residency duration requirements
• No citizenship requirements

Program details:

• 6.5 hours/day, 5 days/week
• 180 days/year (follows school calendar)
• Available at public schools and private providers
• Lottery-based enrollment for oversubscribed programs
• Research-based curriculum

Cost: Completely FREE for all families

Quality standards:

• Lead teachers must have degrees in early childhood education
• Maximum class size: 22 children
• 2 teachers per classroom
• State-approved curriculum

How to Enroll in Georgia Pre-K

Step 1: Visit decal.ga.gov/PreK

Step 2: Search for Pre-K providers in your area

• Public school sites
• Private center-based sites
• Faith-based sites

Step 3: Apply during enrollment period

• Applications typically open February-April
• Some programs offer year-round enrollment if space available

Step 4: Lottery process

• Oversubscribed programs use lottery
• Results typically announced in spring
• Waitlists maintained

Required documents:

• Child's birth certificate
• Proof of Georgia residency
• Immunization records
• Physical examination form

Tips for Pre-K enrollment:

• Apply to multiple programs (3-5) to increase chances
• Siblings of current students often get priority
• Some private providers have earlier deadlines
• Visit programs before applying to find the best fit

Wrap-Around Care for Georgia Pre-K

Since Pre-K is only 6.5 hours, many families need additional care.

Options:

• Before-care (typically 7am-8am): $75-150/month
• After-care (typically 2:30pm-6pm): $150-300/month
• Full wrap-around package: $200-400/month

Many private Pre-K sites include wrap-around care in their extended day program.

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Georgia Child Care Assistance

Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS)

Georgia's primary childcare subsidy program.

Who qualifies:

• Working families at or below 50% State Median Income (initial eligibility)
• Families can remain on program up to 85% SMI
• Parents in approved education or training
• Priority for families below federal poverty level

Income limits (2024):

Family Size	Initial Eligibility (50% SMI)	Can Remain On (85% SMI)
2	$26,000/year	$44,200/year
3	$31,000/year	$52,700/year
4	$36,000/year	$61,200/year
5	$41,000/year	$69,700/year

What's covered:

• Licensed child care centers
• Licensed family child care homes
• Informal care (relatives, with limitations)

Copay structure:

• Based on income and family size
• Ranges from $0 to approximately $200/week

How to apply:

1. Visit Georgia Gateway: gateway.ga.gov
2. Create an account
3. Complete CAPS application
4. Provide documentation (income, work schedule, etc.)
5. Wait for eligibility determination (typically 30 days)

Head Start & Early Head Start

Who qualifies:

• Families at or below 100% federal poverty level
• Foster children (automatically eligible)
• Homeless families (automatically eligible)
• Children with disabilities

What's included:

• Free preschool education (Head Start: ages 3-5)
• Free infant/toddler care (Early Head Start: birth-3)
• Health and developmental screenings
• Nutritious meals
• Family support services

Cost: Completely free.

How to apply: Contact your local Head Start program or visit eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov

Quality Rated Program

Georgia's quality rating system for childcare providers.

Rating levels:

• 1 Star: Meets quality standards beyond licensing
• 2 Stars: Exceeds quality standards
• 3 Stars: Highest quality level

How to use it:

• Search Quality Rated providers at qualityrated.decal.ga.gov
• Higher ratings indicate stronger programs
• CAPS families may receive higher reimbursement for Quality Rated providers

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Ways to Save on Childcare in Georgia

1. Use Georgia Pre-K (Age 4)

Savings: roughly $9,500 for the year before kindergarten at the state's average center price for a 4-year-old (Child Care Aware of America, 2024). This is the biggest money-saver for Georgia families.

2. Dependent Care FSA

Georgia has no state income tax on FSA contributions, but you save significantly on federal taxes.

Savings on $5,000 contributed (the limit rises to $7,500 per household for 2026 under IRS Publication 15-B, so savings run about 50 percent higher if you contribute the maximum):

Income Level	Federal Savings	Total Annual Savings
$50,000	$600	$600
$75,000	$1,100	$1,100
$100,000	$1,200	$1,200
$150,000+	$1,600	$1,600

3. Federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

Credit of 20-35% of childcare expenses (up to $3,000 for one child, $6,000 for two+).

Potential savings: $600-1,200/year

4. Licensed Home Daycare

Licensed family child care homes cost 30-35% less than centers in Georgia.

How to find quality home daycare:

• Use DECAL provider search: decal.ga.gov
• Look for Quality Rated providers
• Check licensing status and inspection reports
• Visit before enrolling

5. Church-Based Programs

Georgia has many faith-based childcare centers at 20-30% below market rates.

Benefits:

• Often lower cost
• Values-based curriculum
• Community connections
• Many are Quality Rated

6. Military Family Benefits

Georgia has several major military installations:

Installation	Location	Services
Fort Moore (formerly Benning)	Columbus	On-post CDC, FCC
Fort Stewart	Hinesville	On-post CDC, FCC
Fort Eisenhower (formerly Gordon)	Augusta	On-post CDC, FCC
Robins AFB	Warner Robins	On-base CDC
Moody AFB	Valdosta	On-base CDC

Military childcare benefits:

• Income-based fees (often 50% less than off-post)
• Priority placement for active duty
• Fee assistance programs available
• MilitaryChildCare.com for waitlist management

7. Nanny Share Arrangements

Split costs with another family for significant savings.

Arrangement	Per Family Cost (Atlanta)
Private nanny	$3,600/month
Nanny share	$2,200/month
Savings	$1,400/month

Popular in ITP Atlanta neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and Grant Park.

8. South Metro Living

Location	Infant Cost	vs. Buckhead
Buckhead	$2,000	baseline
Alpharetta	$1,500	-$500/month
Lawrenceville	$1,300	-$700/month
McDonough	$1,100	-$900/month

Annual savings: $6,000-10,800 by choosing south or east metro.

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Finding Childcare in Georgia

DECAL Provider Search

Georgia's Department of Early Care and Learning maintains a searchable database.

Visit: decal.ga.gov

Search for:

• Licensed child care centers
• Licensed family child care homes
• Georgia Pre-K locations
• Quality Rated providers

What to Look For

Quality Rated status:

• 1-3 stars indicates quality beyond basic licensing
• Higher ratings = stronger programs
• Some CAPS families get higher reimbursement for Quality Rated care

Licensing status:

• Check for current license
• Review inspection reports
• Look at staff qualifications

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FAQ

Q: Is Georgia Pre-K really free for everyone?

A: Yes! Georgia Pre-K is universal: all 4-year-olds qualify regardless of family income. It's 6.5 hours/day, 180 days/year, with no cost to families.

Q: How competitive is Georgia Pre-K enrollment?

A: It varies by location. Popular programs in ITP Atlanta and desirable suburbs fill quickly and use a lottery system. Apply to 3-5 programs to increase your chances. Rural areas typically have more availability.

Q: What about 3-year-olds?

A: Georgia Pre-K is only for 4-year-olds. For 3-year-olds, explore CAPS subsidies if income-eligible, Head Start if you qualify, or private preschool programs.

Q: What's the cheapest area in Atlanta for childcare?

A: South metro (Henry, Clayton, Fayette counties) and east metro (parts of Gwinnett) offer the best value in the Atlanta area, often 30-40% less than ITP or north metro.

Q: How long are Atlanta daycare waitlists?

A: ITP Atlanta (Buckhead, Midtown, Decatur): 9-18 months for infants. North suburbs (Alpharetta, Johns Creek): 6-12 months. South/east metro: 1-6 months. Start looking as early as possible.

Q: Can I use CAPS assistance at any provider?

A: CAPS can be used at licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes. Informal care (relatives) may be covered with limitations.

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Conclusion

Georgia offers unique advantages for families, most notably the universal Pre-K program that saves thousands of dollars for families with 4-year-olds. For younger children, costs vary significantly by region, with metro Atlanta commanding the highest prices and rural areas offering substantial savings.

Key takeaways:

• Georgia Pre-K is free for ALL 4-year-olds, so take advantage of it
• Apply to multiple Pre-K programs to increase your chances
• ITP Atlanta is most expensive; south and east metro offer best value
• Quality Rated providers exceed basic licensing standards
• CAPS assistance has relatively generous income limits for continuation
• Military families have excellent on-base options

Sources

• Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Affordability Analysis, Table I (center-based prices) and Table II (family child care prices)
• Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price and Supply (national average price of care)
• Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), CAPS subsidy: caps.decal.ga.gov
• DECAL, Georgia Pre-K Program: decal.ga.gov
• IRS, Publication 15-B (2026 dependent care assistance limit of $7,500)
• ChildCarePath, child care ratios by state (licensing staff-to-child ratios)

Researched from the sources above; not professional financial, tax or legal advice. Regional ranges are estimates. Tuition and program rules change, so confirm current rates and eligibility with providers and the agencies listed.

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More Georgia childcare resources:

• How Much Does Child Care Cost? →
• Free Preschool Programs →
• How to Afford Child Care →
• Childcare Costs in North Carolina →
• Best Nap Mat for Daycare →
• What to Pack for Daycare →

What every centre asks you to bring

Whatever else changes between programmes, the supply list barely does. These four turn up on nearly every one.

Best Nap Mat

Wildkin Nap Mat with Pillow and Blanket

Budget: Under $100

Mat, blanket and removable pillow in one roll, and it is machine washable, which is what decides whether a mat survives a year of daily use.

Check price on Amazon

Best Backpack

Skip Hop Sparks Kid's Backpack

Budget: Under $50

Sized for a preschooler rather than a school-age child, so it actually fits a classroom cubby.

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Best Lunch Box

Yumbox Original Leakproof Bento Lunch Box

Budget: Under $50

Leakproof compartments a small child can open unaided, which is the whole test for a daycare lunch.

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Best Labels

Name Bubbles Custom Name Labels (95 Labels)

Budget: Under $50

Ninety-five waterproof labels in six sizes. Every centre requires everything named, and this covers a full year.

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The purchases that actually move the budget

Wipes and labels are noise. These four are where the money in the first two years genuinely goes, and each one is bought roughly once.

Biggest Single Purchase

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

Budget: Under $500

Converts from rear-facing infant seat through to a booster, so it is bought once instead of three times. The single largest line on most first-year budgets.

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Pays For Itself

Spectra S2 Plus Electric Breast Pump

Budget: Under $250

Hospital-grade and quiet enough to use at a desk. Worth pricing against formula before you assume it is an expense rather than a saving.

Check price on Amazon

Best Monitor

Infant Optics DXR-8 PRO Video Monitor

Budget: Under $250

A dedicated parent unit with no app and no account, so there is nothing to hack and nothing for a sitter to configure.

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Best Play Yard

Toddleroo 3-in-1 Metal Superyard

Budget: Under $250

Turns any room into a safe space you can leave a toddler in, which is the difference between working from home and not.

Check price on Amazon