Last Updated: May 2026
You’re comparing daycares, doing the math, and trying to figure out what’s actually reasonable to pay in Texas. This guide gives you the current ranges — daily, weekly, and monthly — broken down by your child’s age and the city you’re in. We’ve also covered the Texas-specific cost programs most parents miss, including the new state Education Freedom Account that just launched.
Quick Answer: Texas Daycare Cost in 2026
- Most Texas daycares charge $150–$435 per week or $700–$1,750 per month for full-time care.
- Infant care runs the highest because Texas law caps infant teachers at 4 babies each.
- San Antonio runs 10–20% lower than Austin, Dallas, or Houston for comparable care.
- Texas just launched Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) — up to ~$10,500 per Pre-K or Kindergarten child for the 2026–27 school year.
How Much Do Most Texas Daycares Charge Per Day?
Across Texas, most daycares charge between $35 and $90 per day for full-day care. Your child’s age is the biggest factor.
| 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 only need occasional care, expect to pay a premium for that flexibility.
Most Texas daycares prefer weekly or monthly enrollment because it helps them staff appropriately and keep classroom environments consistent. Daily rates, when offered, are typically 10–20% higher than the per-day equivalent of weekly tuition.
What’s the Average Cost of Daycare Per Week in Texas?
Weekly daycare costs in Texas typically run from $150 to $435 per week for full-time care. The range is wide because two factors swing the number a lot: your child’s age, and the city you live in.
Texas Weekly Daycare Costs by Age (2026)
| 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 |
Daycare Costs Across Major Texas Cities
Where you live in Texas matters more than most parents expect. Austin sits at the top of the price band; San Antonio sits at the bottom. The gap can be 25–30% for the exact same level of care.
| City | Avg. Monthly Cost | Avg. Weekly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Austin | $890–$1,200 | $220–$300 |
| Dallas | $850–$1,100 | $210–$275 |
| Fort Worth | $750–$950 | $185–$240 |
| Houston | $770–$1,000 | $190–$250 |
| El Paso | $680–$900 | $170–$225 |
| San Antonio | $700–$900 | $175–$225 |
Note: Ranges reflect averages; infant care runs 15–25% higher in each city. Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, and similar premium neighborhoods within each city run toward the top of these bands.
If you’re moving from out of state, Texas overall is roughly 10–15% below the national daycare average, with the south Texas metros (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville) running lower still. For a neighborhood-level breakdown of San Antonio specifically, see our San Antonio daycare cost guide.
Texas Just Made Pre-K and Kindergarten Cheaper for Many Families
This is the biggest change in Texas early-education funding in a generation, and most parents haven’t heard about it yet. In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 2, creating Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) — state-funded education savings accounts you can use toward private Pre-K and Kindergarten tuition.
- How much: Up to approximately $10,500 per child per year for Pre-K through Kindergarten students at approved private programs.
- When: Funds become available July 1, 2026 for the 2026–27 school year. Application window: February 4 – March 17, 2026.
- Who qualifies: Texas families across multiple eligibility pathways. Military families connected to Joint Base San Antonio or other Texas installations typically qualify regardless of income.
- Where it works: Approved providers must hold recognized accreditations (Cognia, Texas Rising Star, etc.). Edquisitive Montessori is a TEFA-approved school.
For a family currently paying $1,200/month for Pre-K, $10,500/year in TEFA funding can offset roughly nine months of tuition. For families who’ve wanted Montessori or another private program but found the cost out of reach, TEFA is the answer that wasn’t there a year ago.
Monthly Daycare Costs in Texas: The Full Picture
Most Texas families budget by the month. Here’s what to expect statewide, with the biggest swings driven by city and child’s age:
| Age Group | Monthly Cost Range (TX) |
|---|---|
| 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 Range Is So Wide
Two daycares charging $900/month and $1,400/month often look comparable on paper. The difference comes down to four things:
Teacher-to-Child Ratios
Texas law requires 1:4 for infants, but some programs go further. Lower ratios mean more individual attention for your child — and higher tuition to cover the extra staff.
Staff Wages and Turnover
Programs paying teachers $15/hour versus $12/hour will charge more — but they also keep teachers longer. Your child benefits from consistent caregivers rather than a revolving door.
What’s Included in Tuition
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 the monthly tuition number.
Accreditation
Cognia, NAEYC, and Texas Rising Star 4-Star — these credentials require ongoing teacher training, audited curriculum standards, and enhanced learning environments. They cost the program money to maintain, which shows up in tuition. They also signal which programs are likely TEFA-eligible.
What Your Tuition Actually Pays For
Understanding where the money goes 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 in Texas. One preschool teacher can supervise 15–18 children. Both earn similar wages. That single math problem is why infant care costs $1,000–$1,750/month while preschool runs $700–$1,400.
How to Lower Your Daycare Costs in Texas
Texas State Programs
- Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA): Up to ~$10,500/year for Pre-K and K at approved private programs. See TEFA details.
- Texas Workforce Solutions (CCS): Subsidies for qualifying low- and moderate-income families. Copays can drop to as little as $12/month for eligible families.
- Head Start / Early Head Start: Free comprehensive early childhood education for income-eligible families across Texas.
- Military Child Care Aware (CCA): Tuition assistance for military families. Texas has one of the largest military populations in the U.S. — Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, and others.
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 federal tax return.
Smart Shopping
- Ask about sibling discounts (usually 5–15% off the 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 most have waitlists.
Searching specifically for San Antonio? See our detailed San Antonio daycare cost breakdown by neighborhood for Stone Oak, Alamo Heights, Boerne, Medical Center, and surrounding areas.
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? (Cognia, NAEYC, Texas Rising Star)
- Are you TEFA-approved for the 2026–27 school year?
- What does a typical day look like?
- How do you communicate with parents?
If You’re in San Antonio or Boerne: Edquisitive Montessori
We serve families across San Antonio and Boerne with four campuses. If you’re searching outside this area, the cost ranges above will give you a benchmark for what comparable quality should cost where you live.
At Edquisitive Montessori, our all-inclusive tuition runs $200–$365 per week based on age and schedule. That includes:
- ✓ Montessori-inspired curriculum with trained educators
- ✓ Spanish immersion at no extra cost (Spanish Grove Academy / Stone Oak)
- ✓ Yoga, music, and STEM enrichment
- ✓ Freshly prepared meals by our on-site chef
- ✓ Cognia accreditation and Texas Rising Star 4-Star rating across all campuses
- ✓ TEFA-approved for the 2026–27 school year (Stone Oak, Fair Oaks, NW Military)
- ✓ CCS and Military CCA accepted; sibling discounts available
What makes us different: We don’t just watch children — we educate them. Every activity is built around inquiry-based learning that develops critical thinking, independence, and genuine curiosity.
Ready to See the Difference?
Comparing prices is important. Seeing quality in person is better.
Schedule your free tour and visit a classroom near you. Watch children in purposeful learning. Meet the teachers. Ask every question on your list.
Related Resources
- San Antonio Daycare Costs by Neighborhood
- Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA): Complete Guide
- Is Daycare Cheaper Than a Nanny in Texas?
- How to Choose a Daycare: Complete Guide
- Edquisitive Montessori Tuition Details
Edquisitive Montessori serves families across San Antonio and Boerne with four campuses. Cognia accredited. Texas Rising Star 4-Star rated. TEFA-approved provider. Curious minds. Intelligent futures.
