Full-time infant daycare in Denver runs about $1,700 to $2,400 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per Colorado market-rate survey data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 Price of Child Care report. That is above the Colorado state average of roughly $1,600 a month. Licensed family child care homes run lower, around $1,300 to $1,800. Infant care is the most expensive year because Colorado caps each caregiver at five babies.
Plan for roughly $1,700 to $2,400 a month for full-time infant care at a licensed Denver center in 2026, based on Colorado market-rate survey data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 report. That is about $20,400 to $28,800 a year, well above what older children cost. Cherry Creek, the Highlands, and Washington Park sit at the top of the range, while licensed home-based care runs lower.
| Care setting (Denver, full-time infant) | Monthly range | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed center, typical | $1,700 to $2,400 | $20,400 to $28,800 |
| Licensed center, premium (Cherry Creek, the Highlands, Washington Park) | $2,300 to $2,800+ | $27,600 to $33,600+ |
| Licensed family child care home | $1,300 to $1,800 | $15,600 to $21,600 |
| Colorado state average (infant center) | roughly $1,600 | roughly $19,200 |
For the citywide picture and how the neighborhoods compare, see our Denver daycare guide and the daycare cost pillar.
Infant care costs more than any other age because Colorado requires one caregiver for every five infants aged 6 weeks to 18 months, with a maximum group size of ten, per the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) rules in 12 CCR 2509-8. Fewer babies per teacher means a higher labor cost per child. As children move into toddler and preschool rooms, Colorado allows more children per caregiver and tuition drops.
Denver's high wages and rising rents push prices above the state average. NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, recommends small infant group sizes for the same reason, which limits how many babies a center can enroll even when families are waiting.
A licensed family child care home in Denver usually runs below center pricing, often landing around $1,300 to $1,800 a month for an infant, per Colorado market-rate survey data. Homes care for a small mixed-age group in a residential setting, while centers offer dedicated infant rooms, longer hours, and backup staffing. Both must be licensed through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
Denver families weighing the two should confirm each program's CDEC license status and ask about caregiver consistency. A home can mean one steady caregiver for years; a center means more coverage when staff are out sick. Our tour questions guide covers what to ask either way.
Start touring and joining waitlists as early as the first or second trimester. Infant rooms in high-demand neighborhoods such as Cherry Creek, the Highlands, Washington Park, and Central Park often carry waitlists of six to fifteen months, because the Colorado 1:5 infant ratio and ten-baby group cap strictly limit enrollment. Many centers charge a deposit to hold a spot.
The honest tradeoff. Denver infant daycare is expensive, and the longest waitlists are at the best-known programs. Paying more does not guarantee quality, and a strong family child care home can cost far less, so weigh price against staffing, group size, and how the infant room actually feels when you tour.
Several levers help Denver families. Income-eligible working households can apply for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) through their county human services department, funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund. Nearly all working parents can also use a Dependent Care FSA and claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit, per IRS rules.
To model your own Denver numbers after credits and subsidies, run them through our cost calculator.
How much does infant daycare cost in Denver, CO? About $1,700 to $2,400 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per Colorado market-rate survey data and Child Care Aware of America 2024; family child care homes run lower.
What is the infant ratio in Colorado? One caregiver per five infants aged 6 weeks to 18 months, with a group cap of ten, per CDEC rules in 12 CCR 2509-8.
When should I join a waitlist? As early as the first or second trimester; popular Denver infant rooms run six- to fifteen-month waitlists.
Is there financial help? Yes, through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, a Dependent Care FSA, and the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit.
How care, ratios, and cost change from the infant room through preschool, with the questions that matter at each stage.
Read the guide → BlogWhat changes for cost, ratios, and availability once your child ages out of the infant room.
Read the article → Free toolPlug in your ZIP, child age, and care type for a net out-of-pocket estimate after credits and subsidies.
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