Calculator inputs
Use the grid below. Large screens show three columns, smaller screens show two, and mobile shows one.
Example data table
| Scenario | Children | Billing mode | Main rate | Extras | Estimated monthly result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center-based weekday care | 1 | Daily | $58 per day | Meals $4/day, transport $45 | About $1,370 monthly |
| Shared nanny for siblings | 2 | Hourly | $14 per hour family-wide | Supplies $50, overtime $80 | About $2,610 monthly |
| After-school program | 1 | Weekly | $95 per week | Activities $25, subsidy $100 | About $336 monthly |
| Home daycare with sibling discount | 2 | Monthly | $980 per child | 10% sibling discount, meals included | About $1,764 monthly |
Formula used
Base care cost
Hourly billing: rate × hours/day × days/week × weeks/month
Daily billing: rate × days/week × weeks/month
Weekly billing: rate × weeks/month
Monthly billing: flat monthly rate
Extras
Meals: meal cost per child per day × children × days/week × weeks/month
Overtime: overtime hours × overtime rate
Registration share: one-time fee ÷ spread months
Final total
Net monthly cost = gross monthly cost - discounts - subsidies - employer support - other credits
How to use this calculator
- Select the childcare setup that matches your provider.
- Choose whether billing is hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Enter care hours, days, number of children, and the base rate.
- Add recurring extras such as meals, transport, supplies, and activities.
- Include overtime, registration fees, and any subsidy or employer support.
- Press Calculate monthly cost to view totals, breakdowns, and the graph.
- Use the CSV or PDF buttons to save your results.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does this calculator work for daycare and nannies?
Yes. You can switch billing mode and rate scope for centers, home daycare, nannies, babysitters, preschool care, and after-school programs.
2. Why does it ask for weeks per month?
Many families use 4.33 weeks to reflect the average month. This avoids underestimating costs when a month has more than four weeks.
3. Should I enter meals separately if they are included?
No. Leave the meal field at zero when food is already included in the provider's regular fee.
4. What does rate applies to mean?
Choose Each child when the provider charges separately for every child. Choose Whole family for one shared nanny or similar family-wide pricing.
5. Can I include government support?
Yes. Put monthly subsidy help in the subsidy field. Employer childcare support and other recurring offsets can be entered separately.
6. Why spread a registration fee across months?
Spreading one-time setup fees creates a more realistic monthly planning number, especially when comparing different providers over a school year.
7. Is the result an exact contract amount?
No. It is a planning estimate. Your provider may charge for holidays, absences, late pickup, deposits, or minimum attendance rules.
8. Can I save the result for budgeting?
Yes. Use the CSV button for spreadsheet tracking or the PDF button for a clean record you can share or print.