What is the Average Cost of Preschool Near Me?

With childcare costs outpacing inflation, many Denver families may be asking, “What is the average cost of preschool near me?” This question likely brings up feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. In a society in which we place the burden of childcare and preschool costs solely on families, many have no idea that they will spend more on childcare and preschool than they will likely spend on college tuition. 

An article in Chalkbeat highlighting new data from the Common Sense Institute, a Colorado-based research organization, states: “In Colorado’s 10 largest counties, families are spending 18% to 25% of their monthly income on child care — far above the 7% affordability benchmark set by the federal government.” In our blog post, “Cost of Preschool, Child Care Stretching Families Across Colorado,” we dive more into the findings, including that for Denver families, the average cost of childcare and preschool near you is roughly $1,600 per month for one child, full-time.

Denver Public Schools (DPS) states in its 2024-2025 early care and education tuition guide that its “cost to provide preschool is $1,849 per month per child for full-day, and $925 per month per child for half-day,” though DPS is able to charge families less than those costs due to public funding support from the Denver Preschool Program (DPP) and additional sources.

According to Brightwheel’s 2023 Cost Guide for Denver Daycares and Preschools, the cost for full-time, full-day care ranged from $458 to $2,371 per month, with an average cost of care at $1,575 per month–keep in mind this includes care for infants through age 5. Brightwheel further unpacks the cost of pre-kindergarten in Denver for 5 days a week at an average of $1,539 per month, based on costs as low as $518 to as high as $2,695 per month.

The cost of care varies greatly from providers, with many charging more than average. Working with our 270 family child care homes, center-based programs, and preschools with DPS across Denver and nearby communities, we estimate the average cost of full-day preschool for one child at $1,640. 

Why does the cost of preschool vary across Denver?

The cost of preschool in Denver can fluctuate based on many factors, including: 

• Number of children served by the provider
• Child:staff ratios 
• Location of the preschool (Brightwheel 2023 Cost Guide breaks down the most affordable and most expensive zip codes for child care in Denver)
• Services provided by the preschool, such as enrichment activities, field trips, meals, and snacks
• Training, benefits, and wages for preschool teachers and support staff, including maintenance and cleaning personnel, secretaries, etc. 
• Building lease or ownership costs 

Like with any service or good in the market, the cost of preschool can also vary based on demand for a program. Programs also routinely charge an enrollment fee, which is not included in the average monthly costs. Field trips and meals may or may not be included in monthly cost as well. 

When you are looking for a preschool near you, there are many factors you should consider in addition to costs, such as the curriculum, cultural preferences, how well the staff communicates with you, and how your child interacts with the teachers and children at the school. The quality of the preschool should also factor into your decision. All the preschools Denver Preschool Program works with must pass rigorous standards that ensure the health and safety of the child while promoting a quality learning environment. 

Our Preschool Checklist on our How to Find a Preschool page can help you find a preschool in Denver that is the right fit for your child and your family. 

How can I save on preschool costs in Denver?

For families who live in the City and County of Denver, you can save on preschool costs by participating in Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) and the Denver Preschool Program tuition credits. Both benefits can be layered on to each other, giving families maximum savings. 

During the 2024-2025 school year, Denver families received roughly $630 in tuition support from Colorado UPK and $518 from DPP tuition credits per month, on average. That is nearly $1,200 monthly and $12,000 for the school year! And, many families qualified for additional support from Colorado UPK and/or DPP. In fact, 403 students received the DPP Scholarship last school year, meaning we covered all of their preschool tuition costs for the year. 

Learn more about how to lower your preschool costs.