Before- and after-school daycare cost.

Once your child starts kindergarten, the daycare budget changes shape. Tuition drops sharply because the school day is free, but you still need coverage from school dismissal to evening pickup and on holidays, snow days, half-days, and summer. Most US families pay $250 to $700 a month for school-year before- and after-school care, plus separate summer camp costs.

The 2026 national range

Per Child Care Aware of America and Afterschool Alliance 2024 data, full-week before- and after-school programs in the US run roughly:

Per the Afterschool Alliance America After 3PM 2024 report, roughly one in four US children participates in some form of organized after-school programming, with the average family paying about $115 per week (around $460 per month) for paid options. Free or subsidized options exist in some districts but waitlists are typical.

What you are actually paying for

A typical before- and after-school program covers:

• Morning drop-off care, usually 7:00 AM to school start.
• After-school pickup from the school building (some programs), or parent drop-off at the program location.
• Afternoon snack.
• Homework time, usually with adult supervision and quiet space.
• Enrichment activities: art, STEM, recreation, sports.
• Outdoor play.
• Care until 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM.
• Coverage on school half-days and most teacher in-service days, usually for an extra fee.

Care on snow days, school closures, and major holidays is usually a separate add-on. Many programs charge a flat $35 to $75 per day for those. Summer camp is always a separate enrollment and a separate bill.

School-district programs are the cheapest

Per the Afterschool Alliance, school-district-run programs (often run in partnership with 21st Century Community Learning Centers federal funding) are the most affordable option when they exist. Eligibility is usually income-based or first-come-first-served. Costs typically run $0 to $150 a month, but waitlists are long in dense urban districts. Our before- and after-school care guide covers how to access these.

YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community programs

Nationally accredited community programs sit in the middle of the price range. YMCAs are present in most US metros and typically charge $200 to $500 a month for full before- and after-school care with sliding-scale tuition for income-eligible families. Boys & Girls Clubs operate on a similar model. These programs are often the best value for working families who do not qualify for free district care.

Private licensed center aftercare

Many of the daycare centers that served your child as a preschooler keep a school-age room or van-pickup program. The familiar staff and continuity are valuable; the pricing is at the top of the range. Per Child Care Aware data, private licensed aftercare averages $400 to $700 a month for combined before- and after-school programs.

Metro spread

Aftercare pricing follows the same geographic pattern as daycare more broadly. Per the US DOL National Database of Childcare Prices, school-age care in high-cost counties runs roughly 2 to 2.5 times the national median. A representative spread:

How to lower the bill

• Apply for school-district aftercare first; it is almost always the lowest-cost option.
• Use a Dependent Care FSA. School-age aftercare qualifies through age 13 per IRS guidance. See our FSA guide.
• Claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. See our tax credit explainer.
• Ask about sliding-scale aid at YMCA and JCC programs. Most have a financial aid form.
• Check whether your employer offers backup care or aftercare reimbursement. Our employer benefits guide walks through what to look for.
• Check whether your state's child care subsidy program covers school-age care. Most state CCDF programs do, up to age 13. See our subsidy guide.

Half-days, snow days, and summer

The cost surprises in school-age care come from non-school days. A typical US public school is in session 175 to 180 days a year, leaving roughly 100 weekdays of childcare to cover beyond the standard before- and after-school window. Plan for:

• Summer: 8 to 12 weeks of full-day camp.
• Winter break: 1 to 2 weeks of holiday camp.
• Spring break: 1 week of holiday camp.
• Teacher in-service days: roughly 6 to 10 per year, often charged as a flat day rate.
• Sick days and snow days: variable, usually $35 to $75 per day if you need drop-in care.

Bottom line

Plan for $3,000 to $9,000 a year for school-year before- and after-school care, plus $1,600 to $7,000 a year for summer camp. School-age care is dramatically cheaper than preschool tuition but is not free; the day-by-day patchwork around the school calendar is what most families underestimate. For a fuller picture of the school-age years, see our before- and after-school care guide, the cost pillar, and the cost calculator.