Infant care is the most expensive year of daycare anywhere, and Reno is no exception. The first year buys the most staff, since Nevada requires tight caregiver-to-infant ratios. Below is what families in Washoe County actually pay for infant care in 2026, by area and care type, plus how Nevada's subsidized child care program and the federal credits cut the bill.
Reviewed by: a credentialed early-childhood reviewer (pending assignment).
In 2026 dollars, full-time infant daycare in Reno runs roughly $1,150 to $1,650 per month at licensed centers, and roughly $950 to $1,350 per month at licensed family child care homes. These ranges draw on the Nevada market-rate survey, the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices for Washoe County, and our own operator survey, not single-point averages. Reno sits near or just above the national median, and infant care is still the largest line in most family budgets.
Infant care prices 25 to 35 percent above preschool-age care because of staffing ratios. Nevada licensing sets tight caregiver-to-infant ratios, far tighter than for older children, and paying caregivers across small infant rooms is the most expensive line in any center's budget, per 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Nevada childcare workers.
Infant costs across the Reno-Sparks area track the local housing market. Southwest Reno and Damonte Ranch in South Reno sit at the top of the range. Northwest Reno and central Midtown sit in the middle, while Sparks and the North Valleys sit at the bottom. The table shows licensed infant care at the better-rated programs in each area, per our operator survey and the National Database of Childcare Prices.
| Area | Infant, center | Infant, family child care |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Reno, Caughlin Ranch | $1,525–$1,650 / month | $1,250–$1,350 / month |
| South Reno, Damonte Ranch | $1,400–$1,550 / month | $1,150–$1,275 / month |
| Northwest Reno, Midtown | $1,275–$1,450 / month | $1,050–$1,175 / month |
| Sparks | $1,200–$1,350 / month | $1,000–$1,100 / month |
| North Valleys, outlying Washoe County | $1,150–$1,275 / month | $950–$1,050 / month |
These ranges represent licensed infant care at well-rated centers and homes, not subsidized seats. Southwest Reno sits at the top of the local range; the North Valleys and outlying Washoe County sit at the bottom, though still near the national median.
Daycare gets cheaper as your child ages out of infant ratios. In Reno, expect the monthly bill to fall by roughly 10 to 15 percent when your child moves to the toddler room around age two, and again at the preschool stage, per the Nevada market-rate survey. Nevada's tight infant ratio is the main reason the first two years cost the most. The table shows the typical age curve at a mid-range Reno center.
| Age group | Center, monthly | Ratio pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under ~18 months) | $1,150–$1,650 / month | Tightest infant ratio |
| Toddler (~2 years) | $1,050–$1,450 / month | Looser than infant |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | $950–$1,250 / month | Loosest of the three |
Yes. Nevada offers subsidized child care through the Child Care and Development Program, overseen by the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services and administered locally in Washoe County by The Children's Cabinet, for income-eligible working and student families, including for infants. Reno families apply through The Children's Cabinet. Because infant care is the costliest age, subsidies make their biggest difference in the first two years. Our Nevada childcare subsidy guide and how-to-apply guide walk through the income limits and the steps.
On top of any subsidy, three federal tools apply: the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit on IRS Form 2441, a Dependent Care FSA at many employers (up to $5,000 per family per year of pre-tax savings), and the federal Child Tax Credit. Nevada has no state income tax, so there is no state child care credit to add. Large Reno-area employers, including the major hospital systems, the university, and the big distribution and gaming companies, commonly offer a Dependent Care FSA, so check with your HR department.
Heads up. Infant daycare is expensive, and there is no easy way around the first two years in Nevada. Tight infant ratios mean few slots per room, so the best-rated Reno infant programs often have the longest waitlists. If you are expecting, join waitlists early, ask about infant-room openings specifically, and confirm a provider is licensed under Nevada's Division of Public and Behavioral Health.
A two-income Northwest Reno family placing a four-month-old in full-time licensed center care spends roughly $1,275 to $1,450 per month, or $15,300 to $17,400 per year, per the National Database of Childcare Prices for Washoe County and our operator survey.
If the family qualifies for the Child Care and Development Program through The Children's Cabinet, with income within the program limits and both parents working or in school, the subsidy covers most or all of the cost at a participating provider.
A Dependent Care FSA plus the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit trims several hundred to roughly a thousand dollars more, and the bill falls again when the child moves to the toddler room.
Walk through the cost calculator to model your own Reno infant year with the subsidy, the FSA, and the federal credits factored in. See the full age breakdown in our Reno daycare cost guide. For the statewide picture, see the Nevada cost overview and the broader daycare cost pillar.
The full age breakdown for Reno, from infants through preschool, by area and care type.
Read → SubsidyThe Child Care and Development Program, income limits, and how it helps with infant care.
Read → ToolModel your Reno infant year with the subsidy and the federal credits factored in.
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