Arkansas childcare costs.
Median weekly prices for full-time care across 75 Arkansas counties, from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices. Infant care at Arkansas centers runs about $103 per week at the median, below the national median of $173.
Statewide medians, per child
| Age group | Center, weekly | Center, monthly | Home-based, weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $103 | $446 | $93 |
| Toddler | $104 | $451 | $95 |
| Preschool | $93 | $403 | $89 |
| School-age | $83 | $360 | $86 |
Medians across Arkansas counties with published prices, most recent study year per county (mostly 2022).
Prices by county
| County | Infant, center | Preschool, center | Infant, home-based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Ashley County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Baxter County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Benton County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Boone County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Bradley County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Calhoun County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Carroll County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Chicot County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Clark County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Clay County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Cleburne County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Cleveland County | $136/wk | $116/wk | $108/wk |
| Columbia County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Conway County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Craighead County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Crawford County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Crittenden County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Cross County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Dallas County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Desha County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Drew County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Faulkner County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Franklin County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Fulton County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Garland County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Grant County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Greene County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Hempstead County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Hot Spring County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Howard County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Independence County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Izard County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Jackson County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Jefferson County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Johnson County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Lafayette County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Lawrence County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Lee County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Lincoln County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Little River County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Logan County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Lonoke County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Madison County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Marion County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Miller County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Mississippi County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Monroe County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Montgomery County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Nevada County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Newton County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Ouachita County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Perry County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Phillips County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Pike County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Poinsett County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Polk County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Pope County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Prairie County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Pulaski County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Randolph County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Saline County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| Scott County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Searcy County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Sebastian County | $88/wk | $83/wk | $85/wk |
| Sevier County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Sharp County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| St. Francis County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Stone County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Union County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Van Buren County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Washington County | $148/wk | $128/wk | $115/wk |
| White County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
| Woodruff County | $99/wk | $89/wk | $89/wk |
| Yell County | $103/wk | $93/wk | $93/wk |
Prices are county-level weekly medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices, shown for each county’s most recent study year in that year’s dollars. Some county figures are federal estimates rather than direct survey results, and actual tuition varies widely by program, schedule, and age policies. This information is a general benchmark only, not a quote or financial advice, and Seedling makes no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness. Always confirm current rates with local providers. Source: the National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau). Read the full methodology.
Staffing rules drive these prices
Staff-to-child ratios are the biggest cost driver in childcare: Arkansas requires one adult for every 6 infants at licensed centers. See the full requirements by age group.
Arkansas childcare ratiosCommon questions
How much does childcare cost in Arkansas?
The median price for full-time infant care at Arkansas centers is about $103 per week, roughly $446 per month, and preschool-age care runs about $93 per week. Prices vary a lot by county, so check your county's page for local figures.
Which Arkansas county has the most expensive childcare?
Among counties with published prices, Benton County has the highest median for center-based infant care at about $148 per week, while Sebastian County has the lowest at about $88 per week.
Is center-based or home-based care cheaper?
Home-based (family childcare) programs usually charge less than centers for the same age group: in Arkansas, the median for infant care is about $93 per week home-based versus $103 at centers. Centers typically offer larger programs and more structured staffing, which is part of the price difference.
Where do these numbers come from?
They are county-level medians for full-time care from the federal National Database of Childcare Prices (DOL Women's Bureau), shown for each county's most recent study year. They are a benchmark, not a quote: actual tuition depends on the program, schedule, and age policies, so always confirm rates with local providers.