Last Updated: December 2025
You’re comparing daycare options, doing the math, and wondering: what’s actually reasonable to pay? Whether you’re searching by the day, week, or month, this guide breaks down current daycare costs across Texas—with specific numbers for San Antonio families.
How Much Do Most Daycares Charge Per Day?
In Texas, most daycares charge between $35 and $90 per day for full-day care, depending on your child’s age and the type of program.
Here’s what daily rates typically look like:
| Child’s Age | Daily Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-17 months) | $50–$85/day |
| Toddlers (18-35 months) | $40–$75/day |
| Preschoolers (3-5 years) | $35–$65/day |
| School-age (before/after care) | $15–$30/day |
Important to know: Drop-in rates run significantly higher—often $75 to $150 per day for infants and $50 to $125 for older children. If you need occasional care, expect to pay a premium for flexibility.
Most daycares prefer weekly or monthly enrollment because it helps them staff appropriately and maintain consistent classroom environments. Daily rates, when offered, are typically 10-20% higher than the per-day equivalent of weekly tuition.
What Is the Average Cost of Daycare Per Week in Texas?
Weekly daycare costs in Texas typically range from $150 to $435 per week for full-time care, with significant variation based on location and child’s age.
Texas Weekly Daycare Costs by Age (2025)
| Child’s Age | Weekly Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-17 months) | $250–$435/week |
| Toddlers (18-35 months) | $210–$400/week |
| Preschoolers (3-5 years) | $175–$350/week |
| Pre-K full day | $175–$325/week |
How San Antonio Compares to Other Texas Cities
| City | Avg. Monthly Cost | Avg. Weekly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $890–$1,200 | $220–$300 |
| Dallas | $850–$1,100 | $210–$275 |
| Houston | $770–$1,000 | $190–$250 |
| Fort Worth | $750–$950 | $185–$240 |
| San Antonio | $700–$900 | $175–$225 |
Note: Ranges reflect averages; infant care runs 15-25% higher in each city.
San Antonio Sits 10-20% Below State Averages
Good news for San Antonio families: local daycare costs run notably lower than Austin, Dallas, and Houston. A family paying $1,100/month in Austin might find comparable care in San Antonio for $850-$950.
That said, neighborhood matters. Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, and Shavano Park trend toward the higher end. The far west side and south San Antonio offer more budget-friendly options.
Monthly Daycare Costs: The Full Picture
Most families budget by the month. Here’s what to expect in San Antonio:
| Age Group | Monthly Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Infants (0-17 months) | $1,000–$1,750 |
| Toddlers (18-35 months) | $850–$1,600 |
| Preschoolers (3-5 years) | $700–$1,400 |
| Pre-K full day | $700–$1,300 |
| Before/after school care | $300–$600 |
Why the Wide Range?
Two daycares charging $900/month and $1,400/month might seem comparable on paper. The difference often comes down to:
Teacher-to-Child Ratios
Texas law requires 1:4 for infants, but some programs exceed minimums. Lower ratios mean more individual attention—and higher costs.
Staff Wages and Turnover
Programs paying teachers $15/hour versus $12/hour will charge more. But higher wages typically mean experienced teachers who stay longer. Your child benefits from consistent caregivers rather than a revolving door.
What’s Included
All-inclusive programs bundle meals, enrichment classes, and supplies into one price. Others nickel-and-dime with registration fees, supply lists, field trip costs, and activity fees. Always ask for the total annual cost, not just monthly tuition.
Accreditation
Cognia, NAEYC, Texas Rising Star 4-Star—these credentials require ongoing training, curriculum standards, and enhanced learning environments. They cost money to maintain.
What Your Tuition Actually Pays For
Understanding where tuition dollars go helps explain why quality care costs what it does:
| Cost Category | Percentage of Tuition |
|---|---|
| Staff wages and benefits | 55-65% |
| Rent, utilities, insurance | 15-20% |
| Classroom materials and curriculum | 5-10% |
| Food program | 5-10% |
| Administration and licensing | 5-10% |
The math behind infant care costs: One infant teacher can legally care for only 4 babies. One preschool teacher can supervise 15-18 children. Both earn similar wages. This is why infant care costs $1,000-$1,750 while preschool runs $700-$1,400.
How to Lower Your Daycare Costs
Tax Advantages
- Dependent Care FSA: Set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax annually through your employer
- Child and Dependent Care Credit: Claim up to 35% of qualifying expenses on your tax return
Financial Assistance Programs
- Texas Workforce Solutions (CCS): Subsidies for qualifying low-income families can reduce copays to as little as $12/month
- Head Start / Early Head Start: Free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible families
- Military Child Care Aware (CCA): Assistance for military families
Smart Shopping
- Ask about sibling discounts (usually 5-15% off second child)
- Inquire about military, teacher, healthcare worker, or first-responder discounts
- Compare full-time versus part-time—hourly care often costs more long-term
- Start touring early; quality programs fill fast and often have waitlists
Questions to Ask When Comparing Prices
Price is just one factor. These questions help you understand value:
- What’s included in tuition? (meals, diapers, enrichment classes)
- What are your teacher-to-child ratios?
- What’s the average teacher tenure here?
- Are there additional fees? (registration, supplies, field trips)
- What accreditations do you hold?
- What does a typical day look like?
- How do you communicate with parents?
What We Offer at Edquisitive Montessori
At Edquisitive Montessori, our all-inclusive tuition ranges from $200-$365 per week based on age and schedule. That includes:
- ✓ Montessori-inspired curriculum with trained educators
- ✓ Spanish immersion at no extra cost
- ✓ Yoga, music, and STEM enrichment
- ✓ Freshly prepared meals by our on-site chef
- ✓ Cognia accreditation and Texas Rising Star 4-Star rating
- ✓ Four convenient San Antonio locations: Fair Oaks/Boerne, Stone Oak, NW Military, and Medical Center
We accept CCS and Military CCA, and we offer sibling discounts.
What makes us different: We don’t just watch children—we educate them. Every activity is designed around inquiry-based learning that builds critical thinking, independence, and genuine curiosity.
Ready to See the Difference?
Comparing prices is important. Seeing quality in action is better.
Schedule your free tour and visit our classrooms. Watch children engaged in purposeful learning. Meet our teachers. Ask every question on your list.
Related Resources
- Complete Guide to Choosing Daycare in San Antonio
- View Our Tuition & Programs
- Why Montessori Education?
Edquisitive Montessori serves families across San Antonio and Boerne with four convenient locations. We’re Cognia accredited, Texas Rising Star 4-Star rated, and committed to nurturing curious minds for intelligent futures.
