Daycare Deposits & Fees Guide 2026: Understanding All Costs
Complete guide to daycare deposits and fees in 2026. Registration fees, supply fees, deposits, late fees, and understanding the true cost of care.
Beyond tuition, daycares charge various fees that add to your total cost. Understanding all fees upfront helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Table of Contents
Common Fee Types
Upfront Fees
| Fee | Typical Amount | Purpose | |-----|----------------|---------| | Registration | $50-200 | Administrative processing | | Enrollment | $100-500 | Securing your spot | | Security deposit | 1-2 weeks tuition | Holds spot, covers damages | | Supply fee | $25-150 | Materials, curriculum |
Recurring Fees
| Fee | Typical Amount | Frequency | |-----|----------------|-----------| | Tuition | Varies widely | Weekly/monthly | | Activity fee | $25-100 | Monthly/annually | | Technology fee | $10-50 | Monthly | | Curriculum fee | $50-200 | Annually |
Understanding Deposits
Types of Deposits
| Type | Purpose | Refundable? | |------|---------|-------------| | Waiting list | Hold place on list | Often no | | Enrollment | Secure spot | Usually applies to first month | | Security | Cover damages/unpaid fees | Usually yes | | Last month | Ensures notice given | Applies to final month |
Getting Deposits Back
Typically refunded if:
- Proper notice given
- No outstanding balance
- No damages
- Terms of contract met
Hidden Costs
Often Overlooked
| Cost | Amount | Frequency | |------|--------|-----------| | Late pickup | $1-5/minute | Per incident | | Sick child pickup | $25-50 | Per incident | | Field trips | $5-25 | Occasional | | Photos | $15-50 | Per package | | Parties/events | $10-30 | Several/year | | Diapers/wipes | $50-100 | Monthly if not included |
Questions to Ask
- What fees are charged beyond tuition?
- When is payment due?
- What happens if I'm late paying?
- What supplies do I need to provide?
- Are there any fees I should know about?
Late Pickup Fees
Typical Structure
| Time | Fee | |------|-----| | 1-5 minutes | $5-10 flat | | 6-10 minutes | $10-25 | | 11-15 minutes | $25-50 | | Per minute | $1-5 each additional |
How to Avoid
Strategies:
- Set alarms
- Have backup pickup people
- Build in buffer time
- Communicate emergencies
- Know grace period (if any)
Reducing Costs
Strategies
| Strategy | Potential Savings | |----------|-------------------| | Sibling discount | 5-15% off second child | | Annual payment | 5-10% discount | | Referral bonus | $50-200 credit | | Employer benefits | FSA, subsidies | | Negotiate | Ask about fees |
What to Negotiate
| Negotiable | Worth Asking? | |------------|---------------| | Registration fee | Sometimes waived | | Deposit | May reduce | | Start date | Often flexible | | Sibling discount | Usually available | | Payment schedule | May accommodate |
Budgeting Tips
True Cost Calculation
| Category | Monthly Estimate | |----------|-----------------| | Base tuition | $_____ | | Supply/activity fees | $_____ | | Average extra fees | $_____ | | Backup care days | $_____ | | Total | $_____ |
Resources
Last updated: December 2025