County childcare costs · DOL NDCP 2022

Childcare costs in Pittsylvania County, VA

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

$8,030 a year for center-based infant care — 15.3% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.

All Virginia counties Rankings Methodology

Center-based infant care in Pittsylvania County, VA costs $8,030/year, while family childcare is $6,034/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 15.3% of the median household income — exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $5,704/year, and preschool-age care is $5,240/year. This page shows all available care types, age groups, affordability analysis, and year-over-year cost trends for Pittsylvania County, VA, VA.

Pittsylvania County vs. the nation

At $8,030 a year for center-based infant care, Pittsylvania County, VA is 16% below the national average of $9,592 — cheaper than 60% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 15.3% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.

Infant care (center)
$8,030/yr: Vs. national avg
-16%: National rank
#1,071 cheapest of 2,662: Share of income
15.3%

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

$8,030
Center Infant/yr: $6,034
Family Infant/yr: $52,619
Median Income: 15.3%
% of Income (Infant)

Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group

Age Group	Center-Based	Family Childcare	Difference
Infant	$8,030	$6,034	+$1,996
Toddler	$5,704	$4,573	+$1,131
Preschool	$5,240	$4,446	+$794
School Age	$5,506	$5,039	+$467

Cost Comparison (Center-Based)

Infant $8,030

Toddler $5,704

Preschool $5,240

School Age $5,506

Where Pittsylvania County ranks on infant-care cost

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

$8,030 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% 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 Pittsylvania County Families

Center-based infant care in Pittsylvania County, VA averages $8,030/year, while family childcare homes charge $6,034/year for the same age group. The gap between the two settings — $1,996 annually for infants — reflects different licensing tracks in VA: 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 $5,240/year at centers versus $4,446/year in family settings, and school-age wrap-around care averages $5,506/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 Pittsylvania County tracks against a median income of $52,619, putting infant center care at 15.3% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 8.3 points. Between 15-20% of income, Pittsylvania County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care. 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 Pittsylvania County starts with the VA 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 $44,726, 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 VA 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: $8,030

Median household income: $52,619

Cost as % of income: 15.3%

7% affordability threshold: $3,683/year

Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)

Center-based infant care costs over 2009–2022 (13 years of NDCP data).

+53.7% since 2009

Infant center care: $5,226 → $8,030

$8,030/yr

Most recent annual cost (2022)

13 years

Data available (2009–2022)

2009

$5,226

2010

$5,564

2011

$5,902

2012

$6,240

2013

$6,500

2014

$6,760

2015

$7,020

2016

$7,107

2017

$7,193

2018

$7,280

2019

$7,367

2020

$7,453

2022

$8,030

View full data table (all care types) ▼

Year	Ctr Infant	Ctr Toddler	Ctr Preschool	Ctr School Age	Fam Infant	Fam Toddler
2008	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2009	$5,226	$4,420	$4,420	$4,576	$3,822	$2,860
2010	$5,564	$4,680	$4,680	$4,524	$3,900	$3,120
2011	$5,902	$4,940	$4,940	$4,472	$3,978	$3,380
2012	$6,240	$5,200	$5,200	$4,420	$4,056	$3,640
2013	$6,500	$5,200	$5,200	$4,593	$4,264	$3,640
2014	$6,760	$5,200	$5,200	$4,767	$4,472	$3,640
2015	$7,020	$5,200	$5,200	$4,940	$4,680	$3,640
2016	$7,107	$5,200	$5,200	$5,027	$4,853	$3,727
2017	$7,193	$5,200	$5,200	$5,113	$5,027	$3,813
2018	$7,280	$5,200	$5,200	$5,200	$5,200	$3,900
2019	$7,367	$5,200	$5,200	$5,287	$5,373	$3,987
2020	$7,453	$5,200	$5,200	$5,373	$5,547	$4,073
2021	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022	$8,030	$5,704	$5,240	$5,506	$6,034	$4,573

What this means for Pittsylvania County families

Infant center care here takes 15.3% of the typical household income — above the HHS 7% affordability line.

At 15.3% 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 $6,034/year for infants — about $1,996 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
See how Pittsylvania County compares against the cheapest counties in Virginia. Cheapest in Virginia

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 Pittsylvania County, VA? ▼

In Pittsylvania County, VA, center-based infant care costs $8,030/year. Family childcare for infants is $6,034/year. Preschool center-based care costs $5,240/year.

Is childcare affordable in Pittsylvania County, VA? ▼

Center-based infant care in Pittsylvania County, VA costs 15.3% of the median household income ($52,619). The HHS affordability threshold is 7%. Childcare here exceeds the affordability threshold by 8.3 percentage points.

What age groups does childcare cost data cover in Pittsylvania County, VA? ▼

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 Pittsylvania County, VA? ▼

Family-based childcare is typically less expensive in Pittsylvania County, VA. Preschool family care costs $4,446/year compared to $5,240/year for center-based care — a difference of $794/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 Pittsylvania County, VA? ▼

School-age childcare (ages 6-12) in Pittsylvania County, VA costs $5,506/year for center-based care and $5,039/year for family childcare. These costs cover before-school, after-school, and summer programs while parents work.

Other Counties in Virginia

Accomack County, VA

Infant: $9,870 · 18.7% of income

Albemarle County, VA

Infant: $13,974 · 14.3% of income

Alexandria City, VA

Infant: $23,540 · 20.8% of income

Alleghany County, VA

Infant: $8,258 · 15.7% of income

Amelia County, VA

Infant: $8,339 · 13.1% of income

Amherst County, VA

Infant: $7,734 · 12.0% of income

Childcare Guides

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Federal CDCTC, FSA limits, and strategies to save on childcare

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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 Virginia

All Virginia counties

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

Cheapest childcare in Virginia

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

Most expensive in Virginia

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

Affordability deserts in Virginia

Counties where childcare exceeds 20% of median household income.

National rankings

Compare Pittsylvania 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.