Full-time toddler daycare in Los Angeles runs about $1,300 to $2,100 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per California Regional Market Rate data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 report. That is lower than infant care because the toddler ratio allows more children per caregiver. Licensed family child care homes run lower still, roughly $1,100 to $1,500.
Plan for roughly $1,300 to $2,100 a month for full-time toddler care at a licensed Los Angeles center in 2026, based on California Regional Market Rate data and the Child Care Aware of America 2024 report. That is about $15,600 to $25,200 a year. The Westside, Santa Monica, and beach communities sit at the top of the range, while the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, and licensed home-based care run lower.
| Care setting (LA, full-time toddler) | Monthly range | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed center, typical | $1,300 to $2,100 | $15,600 to $25,200 |
| Licensed center, Westside / premium | $2,100 to $2,700+ | $25,200 to $32,400+ |
| Licensed family child care home | $1,100 to $1,500 | $13,200 to $18,000 |
| Valley / Long Beach median (toddler center) | roughly $1,200 to $1,800 | roughly $14,400 to $21,600 |
For the citywide picture and how LA compares with the rest of California, see our Los Angeles daycare guide and the daycare cost pillar.
Yes. Toddler care typically costs a few hundred dollars a month less than infant care in Los Angeles, because the ratio loosens from one caregiver per four infants to one per six children ages 18 to 30 months, per California Title 22 regulations enforced by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. Each caregiver can supervise more toddlers, which lowers the labor cost per child and the tuition you pay.
If your child is aging out of the infant room, expect the monthly bill to drop, though demand for toddler spots is still strong on the Westside and in popular eastside neighborhoods. Compare the two stages directly with our infant daycare in Los Angeles guide.
California's toddler component allows one caregiver for every six children ages 18 to 30 months at licensed centers, per Title 22 regulations enforced by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. For older preschool-age children, the standard ratio is one caregiver per twelve. NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, recommends keeping toddler groups small and well-staffed, which some higher-end Los Angeles centers exceed by choice.
Ratios are worth checking on a tour. Ask how many children and how many qualified caregivers are in the room at the busiest part of the day, not just on paper. Our tour questions guide gives you the full script.
A licensed family child care home in Los Angeles usually runs below center pricing for toddlers, often around $1,100 to $1,500 a month, per Child Care Aware of America 2024 data. Homes care for a small mixed-age group in a residential setting, while centers offer dedicated toddler rooms, structured curriculum, and backup staffing. Both must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services.
The honest tradeoff. Toddler daycare in Los Angeles costs less than infant care, but it is still a major monthly expense, and the best programs keep waitlists even at this stage. There is no easy way around either fact. Budgeting for steady tuition and touring early are the two moves that consistently reduce the stress.
Several levers help California families. Income-eligible households can apply for subsidized care through California's Alternative Payment Program and CalWORKs Child Care, administered by the California Department of Social Services and funded in part 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 Los Angeles numbers after credits and subsidies, run them through our cost calculator.
How much does toddler daycare cost in Los Angeles, CA? About $1,300 to $2,100 a month at licensed centers in 2026, per California Regional Market Rate data and Child Care Aware of America 2024; family child care homes run lower.
What is the toddler ratio in California? One caregiver per six children ages 18 to 30 months, per Title 22 regulations enforced by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division.
Is toddler care cheaper than infant care? Yes, by a few hundred dollars a month, because the ratio loosens from 1:4 to 1:6.
Is there financial help? Yes, through California's Alternative Payment Program and CalWORKs Child Care, 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 Los Angeles, and how to plan for the waitlists.
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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