Daycare Cost in Georgia 2025: Atlanta & Statewide Pricing Guide

Georgia offers one of the nation's best pre-K programs—free and universal for 4-year-olds—but childcare costs for younger children can be substantial, especially in metro Atlanta. Understanding your options can save thousands of dollars each year.

Quick Answer: Georgia Daycare Costs in 2025

Here's what Georgia parents typically pay for childcare:

| Age Group | Atlanta Metro | Other Cities | Rural Areas | |-----------|---------------|--------------|-------------| | Infant (0-12 months) | $320-420/week | $220-300/week | $160-220/week | | Toddler (1-2 years) | $280-380/week | $190-270/week | $140-200/week | | Preschool (3-4 years) | $240-340/week | $170-240/week | $120-180/week |

Annual costs range from $6,240 to $21,840 depending on age and location.

Metro Atlanta: Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Costs

Atlanta's childcare costs vary significantly by neighborhood:

Inside the Perimeter (ITP)

| Neighborhood | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |--------------|---------------|------------------| | Buckhead | $400-500 | $340-420 | | Midtown | $380-480 | $320-400 | | Virginia-Highland | $360-450 | $300-380 | | Decatur | $350-430 | $290-360 | | Grant Park | $340-420 | $280-350 | | East Atlanta | $320-400 | $260-330 |

Outside the Perimeter (OTP)

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Alpharetta/Johns Creek | $380-450 | $320-380 | | Marietta/East Cobb | $350-420 | $290-350 | | Roswell | $360-430 | $300-360 | | Dunwoody/Sandy Springs | $370-440 | $310-370 | | Lawrenceville/Gwinnett | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Kennesaw/Acworth | $290-370 | $240-310 | | Peachtree City/Fayette | $320-400 | $270-340 |

County Comparison

| County | Average Infant | Average Preschool | |--------|----------------|-------------------| | Fulton | $380/week | $320/week | | DeKalb | $340/week | $280/week | | Cobb | $350/week | $290/week | | Gwinnett | $320/week | $260/week | | Cherokee | $300/week | $250/week | | Forsyth | $340/week | $280/week | | Henry | $290/week | $240/week |

Georgia's Other Major Cities

Savannah

| Age Group | Weekly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant | $260-340 | | Toddler | $230-300 | | Preschool | $200-270 |

Augusta

| Age Group | Weekly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant | $220-290 | | Toddler | $190-260 | | Preschool | $170-230 |

Columbus

| Age Group | Weekly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant | $210-280 | | Toddler | $180-250 | | Preschool | $160-220 |

Macon

| Age Group | Weekly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant | $200-270 | | Toddler | $170-240 | | Preschool | $150-210 |

Athens

| Age Group | Weekly Cost | |-----------|-------------| | Infant | $240-320 | | Toddler | $210-280 | | Preschool | $180-250 |

Why Georgia Costs Vary

Staff Ratio Requirements

Georgia has more lenient ratios than many states, which affects pricing:

| Age Group | Georgia Ratio | National Average | |-----------|---------------|------------------| | Infants (0-12 months) | 1:6 | 1:4 | | Toddlers (12-24 months) | 1:8 | 1:5 | | 2-Year-Olds | 1:10 | 1:6 | | 3-Year-Olds | 1:15 | 1:10 | | 4-5-Year-Olds | 1:18 | 1:12 |

What this means: Georgia's higher ratios allow for lower costs but mean less individualized attention per child. Look for centers that voluntarily maintain lower ratios.

Regional Cost Factors

Atlanta Premium:

• High real estate costs
• Competition for qualified staff
• Higher minimum wage pressure
• More accredited/premium options

Rural Advantages:

• Lower overhead costs
• More family childcare homes
• Less regulatory complexity
• Stronger community networks

Georgia's Pre-K: Free Universal Preschool

Georgia was a pioneer in universal pre-K, offering free preschool to all 4-year-olds regardless of income. This is a game-changer for family budgets.

Program Details

| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Eligibility | Any Georgia resident turning 4 by September 1 | | Cost | FREE | | Hours | 6.5 hours/day (typically 8am-2:30pm) | | Days | 180 school days (August-May) | | Class Size | Maximum 22 children with 2 teachers | | Curriculum | Research-based, aligned with state standards |

Where It's Offered

• Public schools
• Private childcare centers
• Head Start programs
• Faith-based organizations

Total Programs: Over 3,800 classrooms statewide

Registration

| Step | Details | |------|---------| | When | Registration typically opens in February-March | | Where | Through Bright from the Start Georgia Pre-K website | | Process | Online application, lottery for oversubscribed areas | | Priority | Siblings of current students, military families |

Wrap-Around Care

Since Georgia Pre-K is only 6.5 hours, many parents need additional coverage:

| Service | Typical Cost | |---------|--------------| | Before Care (7am start) | $50-80/week | | After Care (until 6pm) | $80-120/week | | Both | $120-180/week |

Annual savings with Pre-K: $8,000-15,000 compared to full-day preschool

CAPS: Childcare Assistance for Working Families

Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program helps income-eligible families afford care.

Eligibility Requirements

| Requirement | Details | |-------------|---------| | Income | 50% of State Median Income (~$40,000 for family of 4) | | Activity | Must be working, in school, or job training | | Child Age | 0-12 years (13 with special needs) | | Citizenship | Child must be citizen or qualified immigrant | | Priority | Current recipients, children at-risk, homeless |

What CAPS Covers

CAPS pays providers directly based on market rates:

| Age Group | Maximum CAPS Payment (Atlanta) | |-----------|-------------------------------| | Infant | Up to $200/week | | Toddler | Up to $180/week | | Preschool | Up to $160/week | | School Age | Up to $120/week |

Family Copay: Based on income, typically $0-150/month

Important CAPS Information

• Waitlist: CAPS often has a waitlist, especially in metro Atlanta
• Apply Early: Wait times can be 3-12 months
• Recertification: Must recertify every 12 months
• Provider Choice: Can use at any licensed or registered provider

Apply: Contact your local Child Care Resource & Referral agency or apply through Gateway.

Quality Rated: Finding the Best Programs

Georgia's Quality Rated system helps parents identify high-quality childcare programs.

Rating Levels

| Rating | Meaning | |--------|---------| | 1 Star | Meets licensing requirements | | 2 Stars | Demonstrates quality improvement | | 3 Stars | Exceeds standards in most areas |

Why Quality Rated Matters

• Better Outcomes: Higher-rated programs show improved school readiness
• Trained Staff: More professional development requirements
• CAPS Bonus: Quality Rated providers receive higher CAPS reimbursements
• Learning Environment: More intentional curriculum and assessment

Find Rated Programs: Search at Quality Rated Georgia

Head Start and Early Head Start

Free comprehensive services for income-eligible families:

Eligibility

| Program | Age | Income Limit | |---------|-----|--------------| | Early Head Start | 0-3 years | 100% FPL (~$31,000/family of 4) | | Head Start | 3-5 years | 100% FPL |

Services Included

• Full-day, year-round childcare and education
• Health and dental screenings
• Nutrition services (meals and snacks)
• Family support and parent education
• Disability services if needed

Finding Head Start

• Visit Georgia Head Start Association
• Contact your local Community Action Agency
• Call the DECAL Information Line: 404-651-8890

Saving Money on Georgia Childcare

1. Maximize Tax Benefits

Dependent Care FSA:

• Contribute up to $5,000 pre-tax
• Save 22-35% depending on tax bracket
• Must use by plan year end

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit:

• Federal: 20-35% of expenses up to $3,000 (one child)
• No Georgia state credit available

2. Explore Free and Reduced Options

| Option | Potential Savings | |--------|-------------------| | Georgia Pre-K (age 4) | $10,000-18,000/year | | Head Start (income eligible) | Full cost of care | | CAPS Subsidy | 50-100% of care cost | | Employer Childcare Benefit | $1,000-5,000/year |

3. Alternative Care Arrangements

| Option | Typical Savings vs. Center | |--------|---------------------------| | Licensed Family Childcare Home | 20-30% less | | Nanny Share (2 families) | 30-40% less per family | | Relative Care | Often free or minimal | | Part-Time/Flexible Schedule | 30-50% less |

4. Timing and Negotiation

• Multi-child discount: 5-15% for siblings
• Prepay discount: Some centers offer 5-10% for annual payment
• Off-peak start: August/September have most availability
• Scholarship inquiry: Some centers have need-based aid

Atlanta's Best Value Neighborhoods

If location is flexible, these areas offer good quality at lower prices:

Best Value + Good Schools

1. East Point/College Park: 25-35% below Buckhead prices
2. Stone Mountain/Lithonia: Affordable with improving options
3. Douglasville: Growing suburb with competitive pricing
4. Powder Springs: Good schools, reasonable costs
5. Snellville: Established suburb, quality options

Emerging Areas

• South Fulton: New city with developing childcare infrastructure
• Stockbridge/McDonough: Rapid growth bringing new centers
• Woodstock: Good balance of quality and affordability

Hidden Costs to Budget For

Beyond tuition, plan for these expenses:

| Expense | Typical Cost | |---------|--------------| | Registration Fee | $50-200 (annual) | | Supply Fee | $50-100 (annual) | | Curriculum Fee | $25-75 (varies) | | Late Pickup Fee | $1-5 per minute | | Field Trips | $20-50 (varies) | | Summer Premium | 5-10% higher | | Meals (if separate) | $30-50/week |

Year-by-Year Cost Projection

Atlanta Metro Family Budget

| Year | Age | Care Type | Est. Annual Cost | |------|-----|-----------|------------------| | 1 | Infant | Full-time center | $18,720 | | 2 | Toddler | Full-time center | $16,640 | | 3 | 2-year-old | Full-time center | $15,600 | | 4 | 3-year-old | Full-time center | $14,560 | | 5 | 4-year-old | GA Pre-K + wrap | $6,500 | | Total | | | $72,020 |

With CAPS Assistance (Income Eligible)

| Year | Age | CAPS Copay | Est. Annual Cost | |------|-----|------------|------------------| | 1 | Infant | $100/month | $1,200 | | 2 | Toddler | $100/month | $1,200 | | 3 | 2-year-old | $100/month | $1,200 | | 4 | 3-year-old | $100/month | $1,200 | | 5 | 4-year-old | GA Pre-K | $0 | | Total | | | $4,800 |

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Georgia Pre-K work with full-time work schedules?

Georgia Pre-K runs about 6.5 hours on school days only. Most working parents need wrap-around care (before/after school) and summer coverage. Many Pre-K sites offer this through the same provider, adding $120-180/week. Total cost is still significantly less than full-day preschool.

Is there a waitlist for Georgia Pre-K?

Popular sites, especially in high-demand neighborhoods, can have waitlists. Registration typically opens in February-March for the following school year. Apply early to multiple sites. Rural areas generally have immediate availability, while Atlanta and suburbs may require backup plans.

How long is the CAPS waitlist?

CAPS waitlist times vary by region and priority status. Metro Atlanta can have waitlists of 6-12 months or longer. Rural areas typically have shorter waits. Priority is given to current recipients, at-risk children, and those in protective services. Apply as soon as you think you might be eligible.

Can I use CAPS and Georgia Pre-K together?

Yes! You can use CAPS to cover wrap-around care (before and after Georgia Pre-K hours) and summer care. This combination provides affordable full-day coverage. The CAPS payment for Pre-K age children covers wrap-around hours.

Are Georgia's childcare ratios safe?

Georgia's ratios are among the most lenient in the nation. While they meet minimum safety standards, many experts recommend looking for centers that maintain lower voluntary ratios. Quality Rated programs often exceed state minimums. Ask about actual ratios during tours.

What's the difference between Quality Rated levels?

One-star means the program is licensed and participating in the quality improvement process. Two stars indicate progress toward higher quality standards. Three stars represent the highest quality, exceeding standards in curriculum, teacher qualifications, and family engagement. Higher ratings correlate with better child outcomes.

How do Atlanta daycare costs compare to other Southern cities?

Atlanta is the most expensive Southern metro for childcare, about 15-20% above Charlotte, Nashville, and Tampa. It's comparable to Austin and Denver. However, free Georgia Pre-K significantly reduces total childcare costs over time compared to states without universal preschool.

Should I choose a center or family childcare home?

Both can offer excellent care. Centers typically have more structure, trained staff, and educational programming. Family childcare homes offer smaller groups, home-like environment, and often more flexibility. Quality varies widely in both—focus on Quality Rated status and your observations during visits.

What if I can't afford childcare but don't qualify for CAPS?

Georgia's CAPS income limits are relatively low (50% SMI). If you don't qualify, explore: employer childcare benefits, Dependent Care FSA, family childcare homes (often cheaper), nanny shares, cooperative arrangements, and sliding-scale or scholarship programs at some centers. Head Start/Early Head Start has different income limits.

How do I verify a Georgia childcare provider's license?

Search the DECAL database at Families DECAL Georgia. You can view licensing status, inspection reports, and any complaints or violations. All licensed programs must post their license visibly.

The Bottom Line

Georgia childcare costs range from very affordable in rural areas to competitive with national averages in metro Atlanta. The state's standout benefit is Georgia Pre-K—free universal preschool that saves families $10,000-18,000 in the year their child turns 4.

Key strategies for Georgia families:

• Maximize Georgia Pre-K: Free full-day preschool for 4-year-olds
• Apply for CAPS early: Waitlists can be long
• Look for Quality Rated: 3-star programs offer the best quality
• Budget for wrap-around care: Pre-K doesn't cover full work hours
• Explore family childcare: Often 20-30% cheaper than centers

Start planning early, apply for all assistance you might qualify for, and remember that Georgia Pre-K is one of the best childcare benefits in the country—make sure you take full advantage of it.