Last updated: November 11, 2026
Each WorldKids® School location has its own tuition structure. The price depends on your child's age, whether you choose a full-time or part-time schedule, and the local market. For current rates, contact the school you're considering directly.
This page covers what child care costs in our area, how pricing works, what a full day at WorldKids includes, and how to compare programs so the number you're quoted makes sense.
How much does daycare cost?
Nationally, the average price of child care was $13,184 a year in 2025, according to Child Care Aware® of America's Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply report. That average hides a wide range. Infant care costs more than preschool almost everywhere, and prices in Washington run well above the national figure.
In Washington, Child Care Aware® of America found that center-based care in 2025 averaged:
- $23,136 a year for an infant
- $20,544 a year for a toddler
For a family with an infant and a 4-year-old in a center, that came to $40,896 a year.
What does full-time daycare cost in the Seattle area?
Child Care Aware® of Washington tracks the median monthly price at licensed child care centers in each county. For 2024, the latest year available:
| County (WorldKids schools) | Infant | Toddler | Preschool |
|---|---|---|---|
| King (Seattle, Burien, Bellevue) | $2,530 | $2,167 | $1,820 |
| Snohomish (Everett, Edmonds) | $2,105 | $1,895 | $1,656 |
| Pierce (Tacoma/Lakewood) | $1,688 | $1,472 | $1,288 |
These are county medians for all licensed centers. They aren't WorldKids rates. In King County, center infant care took about 24% of the median household income in 2024. Each WorldKids® School sets its own rates, so contact the school you're considering for current tuition.
How much does preschool cost per month?
In 2024, the median monthly price for preschool at a licensed center was $1,820 in King County, $1,656 in Snohomish County and $1,288 in Pierce County, according to Child Care Aware® of Washington. Preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds usually costs less per month than infant or toddler care at the same center. The reason is staffing. State rules require more adults per child for babies than for preschoolers, and staff pay is a major cost for any center.
When you compare monthly preschool prices, check what the number covers:
- Hours. A half-day program and a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. program are different products, even if both are called "preschool."
- Days per week. Some programs price two, three or five days separately.
- Meals and snacks. Some schools include them. Others charge separately or ask you to pack food.
- Fees. Ask about registration, enrollment, supply and late-pickup fees.
What drives the cost of child care?
Four things account for most of the difference between one program's price and another's:
- Your child's age. Washington's licensing rules allow up to four infants per adult, seven toddlers per adult and 10 preschoolers per adult in a child care center (WAC 110-300-0356). More adults per child means a higher price for younger children.
- Schedule. Full-time, full-day care costs more than part-time or half-day care.
- Location. Rent, wages and local demand vary from one county, and one neighborhood, to the next. The county figures above show how much. That's one reason WorldKids schools set their own rates.
- Program model. Teachers who are fluent in Spanish or Mandarin and trained in early childhood education are a specific hire. Immersion programs build that into staffing.
What's included in a full day at WorldKids?
A WorldKids® School day is a full day of care and early learning in Spanish and Mandarin. Families can expect:
- Full-day hours designed around working parents. Most schools are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Check your school's page for its hours.
- Language immersion. Play, meals, music, art and routines all happen in the classroom language. See how immersion works at WorldKids.
- A play-based curriculum with monthly themes from cultures around the world.
- Daily updates for parents through a digital app, including photos.
- All meals included.
- Music, yoga, dance and soccer classes, and more.
Programs are generally offered from about 2 months to 6 years old. Starting ages vary by school, so check with your school.
Is WorldKids worth the cost?
That depends on what your family needs. Nicole Chaudry, founder and CEO of WorldKids® School, describes the families who choose WorldKids as usually two working parents who rely on a longer day. For those families, the comparison is price against hours, what a child does all day, and whether they'll come out speaking a second language.
WorldKids® pairs a nationally recognized curriculum (Creative Curriculum®, with Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment) and its own Global Curriculum with dance, music, yoga and soccer, all included in tuition. Meals are also provided, offering families added convenience and value without the additional costs often associated with extracurricular programs.
Tuition varies by location to reflect local market conditions while maintaining the same commitment to quality. As Chaudry explains, "We adjust our tuition to the communities we serve because we believe every child deserves access to a high-quality early childhood education."
For families, the value isn't simply in the hours of care, but in the comprehensive educational experience, language development, enrichment opportunities, and strong foundation children gain for lifelong learning.
How do I compare bilingual daycare tuition, hours and teacher credentials before enrolling a toddler?
Ask every program the same questions, then compare the answers side by side:
- What's the monthly rate for my child's age and schedule, and what fees come on top of it?
- What are the opening and closing times, and is there a late-pickup charge?
- How much of the day is spent in the second language? "Bilingual" can mean a 20-minute lesson or a full day in the language.
- Are the teachers fluent or native speakers, and what early childhood training do they have?
- Is the program licensed, and what does its inspection history show?
For a full checklist, see how to choose a daycare or preschool.
How do costs compare between a daycare center and an in-home daycare?
In-home (family) child care often costs less than a center. In King County, the 2024 median monthly price for infant care was $1,777 in a licensed family child care home, against $2,530 at a center, according to Child Care Aware® of Washington. The trade-offs are usually in hours, group size, backup staffing when a provider is sick, and the range of activities and materials. In Washington, both family homes and centers are licensed by DCYF. A center like WorldKids has a larger staff, separate age-group classrooms and a set curriculum, which shows up in the price.
Can I use a child care subsidy at WorldKids?
Washington's main child care subsidy is Working Connections Child Care, run by DCYF. It helps working families with household income below 60% of the state median income at the time they apply, and families pay a monthly copay. You apply through Washington Connection or by calling 844-626-8687. All WorldKids® Washington schools accept Working Connections. WorldKids® also strives to make high-quality early childhood education accessible to more families by accepting a variety of childcare assistance programs, including military childcare subsidies, Best Starts for Kids (BSK), and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Most schools accept them, but it varies by school, so check with yours.
These programs help eligible families offset tuition costs while giving children access to bilingual immersion, a nationally recognized early childhood curriculum, enrichment activities, and meals included in tuition.
Washington also offers ECEAP, a free state preschool program for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. It's provided at ECEAP-funded sites, so check DCYF's site for programs near you.
How do I get current tuition for my school?
Contact the WorldKids® School location you're considering. Tell them your child's age, the days and hours you need, and your preferred start date. Ask for the monthly rate, any fees, and how their waitlist works. Find a school · Schedule a tour
Sources
- Child Care Aware® of America, Child Care in America: 2025 Price & Supply
- Child Care Aware® of America, Washington 2025 price fact sheet
- Child Care Aware® of Washington, 2024 Child Care Data Reports: King County, Snohomish County, Pierce County
- WAC 110-300-0356, staff-to-child ratios and group sizes
- DCYF, Working Connections Child Care
- DCYF, ECEAP
Learn about the values that guide us
The WorldKids® curriculum introduces our young students to culture through music, dance, food, language and dress, children expand their knowledge and understanding of the world. The WorldKids® culture is devoted to helping each child grow toward independence by building confidence, competence, self-esteem and respect for others. WorldKids® classrooms follow a multi-age mixclass-room philosophy and encourage children to learn from each other and take on different roles while they grow within their group.
