Childcare Guides for Parents
In-depth guides to help you compare childcare options, hire providers, maximize tax savings, and find financial assistance.
Calculators & Tools
Nanny Tax Calculator
Employer cost & take-home pay
Nanny Share Calculator
Split cost & taxes by family
Dependent Care FSA Calculator
Estimate your pre-tax savings
Child Care Tax Credit Calculator
2026 Form 2441 credit vs. FSA
Babysitter Cost Calculator
Weekly, monthly & annual cost
Childcare Subsidy Eligibility Checker
2026 state income limits & waitlists
Military Child Care Fee Calculator
DoD CDC fees & fee assistance
Work vs. Stay-Home Calculator
Is working worth it after childcare?
Childcare Cost Calculator
Compare all 5 care types by zip
Childcare Cost Widget
Free embed for your website
Cost Comparisons & Overviews
Childcare Cost by Income
Calculator: your % of income vs. the 7% benchmark
Average Cost of Daycare
Monthly, weekly & by state (2026)
Childcare Cost Near Me
Find local prices by city & state
Cost of Raising a Child
Full breakdown by category & age
How Much Does Childcare Cost?
Complete 2026 guide by type, age & location
Childcare Cost by State
27 states + D.C. ranked by daycare & nanny cost
Part-Time Daycare Cost
2, 3 & 4-day rates by city
Daycare vs. Nanny
Cost, pros & cons compared
Nanny vs. Au Pair
Which is right for your family?
Preschool vs. Daycare
Cost, hours & what's best for your child
Montessori Cost
2026 tuition by age vs. daycare
Nanny vs. Daycare for Infants
Which is better for babies?
Babysitter Rates
How much to pay by city & experience
Nanny Hourly Rate by City
$18.63–$31.44/hr — 2026 rates for 20 cities
In-Home Daycare Cost
Family daycare — about 20% less than centers
How to Budget for Childcare
What to spend & how to reduce costs
Childcare for Newborns
Daycare, nanny & au pair from 6 weeks
Daycare Sibling Discounts
Save 5–15% — and when a nanny wins
Daycare Cost Per Hour
Effective hourly rate: $5.70–$14.90/hr
Reduce Childcare Costs
15 proven ways to save
Childcare Statistics (2026)
Costs, usage & industry data
Au Pair vs. Daycare
Full cost & feature comparison (2026)
Why Is Childcare So Expensive?
6 reasons — and how to pay less
Hiring & Finding Care
Nanny Salary by State
Average pay & hourly rates (2026)
How to Hire a Nanny
Search, interview & onboard
How to Find Daycare
Tour checklist & red flags
How to Choose a Daycare
Quality checklist, ratios & red flags
Daycare Packing List
What to bring on day one, by age
Paying a Family Member for Childcare
Fair rates & 2026 tax rules for relatives
Nanny Contract Template
What to include & free checklist
Nanny Holiday Bonus
How much to give, with calculator & tax rules
Daycare Safety Checklist
What to look for & red flags
Head Start Program
Free preschool for eligible families
YMCA Childcare Cost
$200–$1,400/mo with financial aid available
Money & Tax Savings
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Up to $2,100 back — how it works
Childcare Tax Benefits
DCFSA, credits & state programs
Nanny Taxes & Payroll
Household employer obligations
Employer Childcare Benefits
What to ask for & how to use them
DCFSA vs Child Care Credit
Which saves more? Use both together
How to Find Childcare Subsidies
Step-by-step guide for all 50 states
Free Childcare Programs
Head Start, Pre-K & vouchers
Dependent Care FSA 2026–2027
$7,500 limit for 2026 and 2027, eligible expenses & what to elect
Daycare Tax ID Number
Get your provider's EIN for Form 2441
Childcare Grants (2026)
Federal, state & employer free money
Get Personalized Cost Estimates
Our free calculator compares all 5 care types for your zip code, including tax savings.
Open the Calculator