Full-time toddler daycare in Austin runs about $1,100 to $1,600 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per Texas market-rate survey data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 Price of Child Care report. That is roughly 15 to 20 percent below infant pricing, because Texas allows one caregiver per 11 toddlers instead of four babies. Licensed family child care homes run lower, around $950 to $1,400.
Plan for roughly $1,100 to $1,600 a month for full-time toddler care at a licensed Austin center in 2026, based on Texas market-rate data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 report. That is about $13,200 to $19,200 a year. Central Austin and downtown sit at the top of the range, while Round Rock, Cedar Park, and licensed home-based care run lower.
| Care setting (Austin, full-time toddler) | Monthly range | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed center, typical | $1,100 to $1,600 | $13,200 to $19,200 |
| Licensed center, premium (Central, downtown) | $1,450 to $1,900+ | $17,400 to $22,800+ |
| Licensed family child care home | $950 to $1,400 | $11,400 to $16,800 |
| Suburbs (Round Rock, Cedar Park, toddler center) | roughly $1,000 to $1,400 | roughly $12,000 to $16,800 |
For the citywide picture and how the neighborhoods compare, see our Austin daycare guide and the daycare cost pillar.
The biggest change is the ratio. Texas allows one caregiver for every 11 toddlers aged 18 to 36 months, versus four infants under 18 months, per Texas HHSC Chapter 746 minimum standards. More children per teacher lowers the cost per child, so most Austin centers drop tuition by about $250 to $400 a month when a child moves up from the infant room.
Toddler rooms also run on more movement and routine: walking, climbing, early potty training, and simple group activities. NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, still recommends modest group sizes at this age, so strong Austin programs often staff better than the state minimum even though they are allowed more children per adult.
Somewhat. Because Texas allows 11 toddlers per caregiver, Austin centers can enroll more toddlers than infants, so toddler waitlists tend to be shorter than the six- to twelve-month infant lists. Demand is still high citywide, especially in Central Austin and Mueller, and many families simply roll up from the same center's infant room.
If you are starting fresh with a toddler, tour several programs and ask about openings by specific room, not just the center overall. Our tour questions guide lists what to ask about staffing, turnover, and a typical toddler day.
A licensed family child care home in Austin usually runs around $950 to $1,400 a month for a toddler, below center pricing, per Child Care Aware of America 2024 data. Homes offer a small mixed-age group and one steady caregiver, which some toddlers settle into well. Centers offer dedicated toddler rooms, more structured activities, and backup staffing when a teacher is out.
The honest tradeoff. Toddler care costs less than infant care, but the Texas 1:11 toddler ratio is among the most permissive in the country, and Austin prices are still the highest in the state. A lower number on the invoice can mean more children per adult, so ask each program how many toddlers share a teacher and whether they staff above the state minimum.
Several levers help Austin families. Income-eligible working households can apply for Child Care Services through the Texas Workforce Commission and the local Workforce Solutions Capital Area board, 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 Austin numbers after credits and subsidies, run them through our cost calculator.
How much does toddler daycare cost in Austin, TX? About $1,100 to $1,600 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per Texas market-rate data and Child Care Aware of America 2024; homes run lower.
What is the toddler ratio in Texas? One caregiver per 11 toddlers aged 18 to 36 months, per Texas HHSC Chapter 746 minimum standards for child-care centers.
Why is it cheaper than infant care? Texas allows 11 toddlers per teacher versus four infants, so the labor cost per child falls and tuition drops.
Is there financial help? Yes, through Texas Workforce Commission Child Care Services, 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 the most expensive year of care costs in Austin, plus Texas ratios and waitlist timing.
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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