For most Gainesville families, cost is one of the first questions about infant care, and it is a fair one. Infant care is typically the most expensive age group in any daycare, and it helps to understand why, what is included, and how to lower the cost. Here is how infant care pricing works at A Child’s Academy in Gainesville, FL.
Why infant care costs more than older age groups
The biggest driver of infant care cost is the staff-to-child ratio. Florida requires one caregiver for every four infants, and we maintain that 1:4 ratio, which means more caregivers per child than a toddler or preschool room. Younger children simply need more hands-on care, from feeding and diapering to constant supervision, and that staffing is the main reason infant care is the highest-cost age group almost everywhere. Specialized infant training and safety requirements add to it as well.
What is included and what you provide
At A Child’s Academy, infant tuition covers your baby’s daily care, our infant curriculum, and full access to our parent app for photos and updates. Because infant care is customized to each child, parents provide their own formula or breast milk, bottles, baby food, and diapers, so you are never paying for generic supplies your baby may not use.
Plan for full-time care
One thing to budget for: infant care is generally full-time. At A Child’s Academy, part-time schedules are available for toddlers through preschool age, but infants are enrolled full-time so their care, bonding, and daily routine stay consistent. When you plan for infant care, budget around a full-time schedule rather than a few days a week.
Discounts that can lower your cost
We work to keep quality care affordable for Gainesville families and offer several discounts:
- Sibling discount for families with more than one child enrolled
- Military discount of 10%
- Police and first-responder discount of 10%
Please note that discounts cannot be combined, so each family receives the single discount that applies to them.
How to compare infant care quotes in Gainesville
The lowest sticker price is not always the best value, and quotes are hard to compare unless you know what each one includes. As you gather rates, compare the staff-to-child ratio, whether the program is accredited, what tuition covers, and whether there are extra fees for registration or supplies. A slightly higher rate at a Gold Seal accredited program with a 1:4 infant ratio can be a better value than a cheaper option with less staffing and oversight.
A note on VPK and subsidies
A Child’s Academy is a private, tuition-based program and is not an ELC or VPK provider, so infant care is not covered by those state programs. Families looking for subsidized care can contact the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, while families who choose a private program like ours can use the discounts above.
How to get our current infant rates
Because our rates are tailored to each program and updated over time, we share them through a quick opt-in form rather than a fixed price list. Download our current rates here, and while you are at it, schedule a tour so you can see our infant room in person.
