Average Cost of Daycare & Preschool in Wisconsin (2024)
The average cost of daycare in Wisconsin is about $1,497 a month for an infant and $1,253 a month for a 4-year-old in a licensed center (2024 data). Below that, the real published rates of 9 Wisconsin schools — not an average.
Center-based preschool for a 4-year-old in Wisconsin averages $15,039 a year — about $1,253 a month, above the US average of $12,503. Infant care runs higher (about $17,963/year). Source: Child Care Aware of America, 2024 Affordability Analysis, 2024.
Real published tuition: among the Wisconsin preschools we list, published monthly tuition ranges $363–$2,367/month (57 programs that post prices). Most schools don't publish rates — ask for a quote.
Infant care in Wisconsin runs about $2,924 more a year than preschool-age care, so the cost usually falls as your child grows. That sticker price can drop to $0: Wisconsin's public pre-K, Four-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K), is free for all age-eligible 4-year-olds — see help paying for preschool in Wisconsin.
Estimate your preschool cost
Based on Wisconsin's average — adjust for your child's age, schedule, and program type.
✓ Sent. See help paying for preschool in Wisconsin.
What Wisconsin preschools actually charge
State averages are a starting point, not a price. These are real published rates from 9 Wisconsin schools we list, taken from each school's own tuition page or rate sheet and converted to a monthly figure — cheapest program first. Click a school name to see the source.
| School | City | Program | Published rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Morning Nursery School | Madison | Willow Room (2s; 2 by 9/1/26) — 2 days Tue/Thu, 8:30-11:30am | $363/mo |
| Orchard Ridge Nursery School | Madison | 2K — 2-day AM | $375/mo |
| The Playing Field | Madison | Ages 3-5, full-time — Full-time | $390/mo |
| Red Caboose Child Care Center | Madison | 3 plus years (full tuition) — 4 days/week | $404/mo |
| Big Oak Child Care Center | Madison | MMSD 4K (four years old by September 1) - includes wrap care — Full time | $600/mo |
| Montessori Children's House | Madison | Preschool (3 to 6 years) — Morning only, 8:15am-12:15pm | $900/mo |
| Preschool of the Arts | Madison | 4 years old - Half Day — 8:00am-12:30pm | $1,232/mo |
| Creative Learning Preschool & Child Care Center | Madison | Dolphins/Butterflies (4-5 years / 4K) — 3 full days | $1,251/mo |
| Isthmus Montessori Academy | Madison | Nido (2 months to approximately 18 months; steady walkers) - IMA private programme — 8:00am-3:00pm, Monday to Friday | $1,970/mo |
Lowest published program per school, normalised to a month. Most preschools don't publish rates at all — a blank here means we haven't found a published price, not that a school is cheap or expensive. Always confirm current pricing with the school.
Prices swing with schedule and program type — full-day costs about twice a half-day, and Montessori or private programs run well above a community or church-based one; meals, registration, and materials fees add more. What drives preschool pricing → · How to afford preschool → · Compare the real price →
Preschools in Wisconsin
See also: when your child can start in Wisconsin · preschool costs in other states.