Child Care Costs in Georgia 2026: Atlanta and Statewide Price Guide

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.

Average Child Care Costs in Georgia

Quick Overview

| 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 |

Georgia's free Pre-K program saves families $10,000-15,000 in the year before kindergarten, making the state one of the most affordable for families with 4-year-olds.

Cost Comparison to National Average

| Care Type | GA Average | National Average | Difference | |-----------|------------|------------------|------------| | Infant Daycare | $1,300/month | $1,350/month | 4% below | | Toddler Daycare | $1,100/month | $1,200/month | 8% below | | Preschool (3s) | $1,000/month | $1,100/month | 9% below | | Pre-K (4s) | FREE | $1,100/month | 100% savings |

Georgia is moderately priced for infant and toddler care, but the free Pre-K program provides enormous value.

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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

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 |

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.

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:

Visit Georgia Gateway: gateway.ga.gov
Create an account
Complete CAPS application
Provide documentation (income, work schedule, etc.)
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

Ways to Save on Childcare in Georgia

1. Use Georgia Pre-K (Age 4)

Savings: $10,000-15,000 for the year before kindergarten. 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:

| 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.

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

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.

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—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

More Georgia childcare resources: