County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in McLean County, IL

Reviewed byPlainchildcare Editorial, Childcare Costs Editorial Team · June 14, 2026

Affordability desert

$16,311 a year for center-based infant care — 21.6% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Illinois counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in McLean County, IL costs $16,311/year, while family childcare is $9,397/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 21.6% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $14,647/year, and preschool-age care is $14,508/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for McLean County, IL, IL.

McLean County vs. the nation

At $16,311 a year for center-based infant care, McLean County, IL is 70% above the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 5% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 21.6% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$16,311/yr: Vs. national avg
+70%: National rank
#2,517 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
21.6%

Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.

$16,311
Center Infant/yr: $9,397
Family Infant/yr: $75,356
Median Income: 21.6%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$16,311	$9,397	+$6,914
Toddler	$14,647	$9,244	+$5,403
Preschool	$14,508	$9,447	+$5,061
School Age	$4,638	$2,600	+$2,038

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $16,311

Toddler $14,647

Preschool $14,508

School Age $4,638

Where McLean County ranks on infant-care cost

Center-based infant care — every U.S. county with reported prices

$16,311 Among the most affordable more affordable than 5% of 2,662 US counties

Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Department of Labor — National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022

What These Numbers Mean for McLean County Families

Center-based infant care in McLean County, IL averages $16,311/year, while family childcare homes charge $9,397/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — $6,914 annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in IL: centers operate under commercial child care licensing with staff-to-child ratios typically capped at 1:4 for infants and 1:10 for preschoolers, while family child care homes follow small-home rules allowing up to six children with one provider. Preschool-age coverage runs $14,508/year at centers versus $9,447/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $4,638/year. These are annualized full-time rates from the NDCP market-rate survey — actual quoted prices swing with QRIS quality tier, accreditation (NAEYC, NAFCC), and whether the provider accepts CCDF subsidy vouchers.

Household affordability in McLean County tracks against a median income of $75,356, putting infant center care at 21.6% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 14.6 points. At over 20% of income, McLean County qualifies as an affordability desert — counties where childcare competes with housing and healthcare for household budget share. Providers in this cost band typically require two months of tuition as deposit plus non-refundable registration fees of $75-$250.

Finding a licensed provider in McLean County starts with the IL Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency — these nonprofits maintain searchable databases of licensed centers and family homes, note open slots, and handle CCDF subsidy intake. Ask any provider for their current inspection report (publicly available through the state licensing portal), their staff turnover rate, and whether they participate in the state's QRIS quality rating system. For families earning under $64,053, the CCDF subsidy caps parent copayments at a sliding-scale percentage of income. Head Start slots (free for families under 100% federal poverty line) and state-funded pre-K programs fill the preschool tier at zero out-of-pocket cost where available. This 2022 data provides the baseline — always verify current IL licensing status and tuition directly with the provider before enrollment.

Affordability Context

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers childcare affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's income.

Center infant cost: $16,311

Median household income: $75,356

Cost as % of income: 21.6%

7% affordability threshold: $5,275/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2008–2022 (15 years of NDCP data).

+64.2% since 2008

Infant center care: $9,932 → $16,311

$16,311/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

15 years

Data available (2008–2022)

2008

$9,932

2009

$10,363

2010

$10,793

2011

$11,247

2012

$11,700

2013

$11,894

2014

$12,087

2015

$12,089

2016

$12,090

2017

$12,155

2018

$12,220

2019

$13,243

2020

$14,265

2021

$15,288

2022

$16,311

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	$9,932	$8,424	$7,540	$3,744	$6,240	$5,980
2009	$10,363	$8,509	$7,514	$4,004	$6,370	$6,240
2010	$10,793	$8,593	$7,488	$4,264	$6,500	$6,500
2011	$11,247	$8,977	$7,904	$4,394	$6,630	$6,526
2012	$11,700	$9,360	$8,320	$4,524	$6,760	$6,552
2013	$11,894	$9,620	$8,580	$4,862	$7,118	$6,856
2014	$12,087	$9,880	$8,840	$5,200	$7,475	$7,160
2015	$12,089	$10,010	$8,970	$5,070	$7,638	$7,394
2016	$12,090	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$7,800	$7,628
2017	$12,155	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$8,004	$7,628
2018	$12,220	$10,140	$9,100	$4,940	$8,208	$7,628
2019	$13,243	$11,267	$10,452	$4,865	$8,506	$8,032
2020	$14,265	$12,393	$11,804	$4,789	$8,803	$8,436
2021	$15,288	$13,520	$13,156	$4,714	$9,100	$8,840
2022	$16,311	$14,647	$14,508	$4,638	$9,397	$9,244

What this means for McLean County families

Infant center care here takes 21.6% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 21.6% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
Family childcare homes run $9,397/year for infants — about $6,914 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how McLean County compares against the cheapest counties in Illinois. Cheapest in Illinois

NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022 — confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does childcare cost in McLean County, IL? ▼

In McLean County, IL, center-based infant care costs $16,311/year. Family childcare for infants is $9,397/year. Preschool center-based care costs $14,508/year.

Is childcare affordable in McLean County, IL? ▼

Center-based infant care in McLean County, IL costs 21.6% of the median household income ($75,356). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 14.6 percentage points.

Are childcare costs rising in McLean County, IL? ▼

From 2022 to 2008, center-based infant care in McLean County, IL changed from $16,311 to $9,932 (-39.1%).

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in McLean County, IL? ▼

Data covers four age groups: Infant (0-1), Toddler (1-2), Preschool (3-5), and School Age (6-12). Both center-based and family childcare costs are tracked separately for each age group.

What is the HHS childcare affordability standard? ▼

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines childcare as affordable when it costs no more than 7% of a family's household income. Counties where infant care exceeds 20% of median income are classified as "affordability deserts."

Where does the childcare cost data come from? ▼

All data comes from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP), maintained by the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau. It provides county-level childcare price estimates based on market rate surveys.

What is the cheapest childcare option in McLean County, IL? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in McLean County, IL. Preschool family care costs $9,447/year compared to $14,508/year for center-based care — a difference of $5,061/year. Family childcare operates in a provider's home and usually has smaller group sizes.

How much does before- and after-school care cost in McLean County, IL? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in McLean County, IL costs $4,638/year for center-based care and $2,600/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Illinois

Adams County, IL

Infant: $11,134 · 17.5% of income

Bond County, IL

Infant: $9,921 · 16.9% of income

Boone County, IL

Infant: $14,993 · 18.6% of income

Bureau County, IL

Infant: $10,773 · 16.8% of income

Champaign County, IL

Infant: $16,092 · 26.3% of income

Christian County, IL

Infant: $8,083 · 14.2% of income

Childcare Guides

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Subsidy & Assistance Programs

CCDF, Head Start, and state assistance — how to apply

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Center vs Home Childcare

Compare daycare centers, family home care, and nannies

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Employer Childcare Benefits

FSAs, on-site care, backup programs, and negotiation tips

Explore childcare costs across Illinois

All Illinois counties

Every priced county in Illinois, with averages and the statewide affordability picture.

Cheapest childcare in Illinois

The most affordable counties in Illinois ranked by annual center-based cost.

Most expensive in Illinois

Where Illinois childcare costs the most, and how far above the state average it runs.

Affordability deserts in Illinois

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare McLean County against the cheapest and costliest counties nationwide.

Affordability calculator

See what childcare costs as a share of your own household income.

Data Sources & Methodology

Data as of 2023. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP).

Childcare cost data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau — National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP). Costs are annual estimates based on weekly median prices at the county level.

Affordability is measured against the HHS benchmark of 7% of household income. Median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Browse all → | Rankings →

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.