Nanny vs Daycare Cost in Dallas-Fort Worth

Nannies
Written By Paige Burlew

How much does a nanny cost vs daycare in Dallas-Fort Worth?

At Lone Star Nannies, this is one of the first questions almost every family asks us. Daycare tuition feels straightforward: one price, one bill. A nanny's cost feels murkier, an hourly rate that depends on experience, hours, and household needs. So we ran the numbers, apples to apples, for a family with two kids in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

What daycare costs for 2 kids in DFW

Daycare pricing in DFW varies quite a bit by age and suburb. In general:

  • Infant care runs the highest, typically $1,000–$1,800/month per child, since Texas requires a 1-to-4 teacher ratio for infants

  • Toddler care typically runs $900–$1,500/month per child

  • Preschool-age care typically runs $850–$1,300/month per child

  • ·North DFW suburbs like Plano, Frisco, and Highland Park tend to run on the higher end of these ranges; Fort Worth and the southern suburbs tend to run lower

Most centers offer a sibling discount, usually around 10%, if you enroll more than one child.

So what does that look like for a family with an infant and a toddler?

‍ ‍ Per child ‍ ‍ 2 kids (before discount) ‍ ‍ 2 kids (with ~10% sibling discount)

Lower end $900 + $850 $1,750/mo ~$1,575/mo

Higher end $1,800 + $1,500 $3,300/mo ~$2,970/mo

**This does not account for supply fees or any additional fees/after hours care**

Realistic middle-of-the-road estimate: roughly $1,900–$2,700/month combined for 2 kids.

What a nanny costs for 2 kids in DFW

Here's the part that surprises a lot of families: a nanny's rate doesn't multiply per child the way daycare tuition does. You're paying for one caregiver's time, whether she's watching one child or three.

In the DFW area, nanny pay typically breaks down like this:

  • A newer nanny (less experience, may still be building references and certifications) typically starts around $20/hour

  • An experienced nanny (several years of professional experience, CPR/First Aid certified, strong references) typically starts around $25/hour

For a full-time role, most DFW families schedule somewhere between 30-40 hours a week. Here's what that looks like monthly:

30 hrs/week 40 hrs/week

Newer nanny ($20/hr) ~$2,400/mo ~$3,200/mo

Experienced nanny ($25/hr) ~$3,000/mo ~$4,000/mo

**This does not account for payroll taxes and employer taxes**

At first glance, that looks like a bigger number than daycare. But it's covering meaningfully more than daycare tuition does.

The comparison that actually matters

A monthly number in isolation doesn't tell the full story. Here's what's baked into each option:

Daycare, 2 kids (~$1,900–$2,700/month):

  • Fixed hours, typically matching a standard workday

  • You handle drop-off and pickup twice a day, for two kids

  • Sick days mean YOU stay home or scramble for backup care

  • Snow days, teacher in-service days, and holiday closures still need to be covered

  • Your child is grouped with same-age peers in a classroom setting

  • No help with tasks outside of direct childcare (laundry, meal prep, driving to activities)

Full-time nanny, 2 kids (~$2,400–$4,000/month):

  • One caregiver, both kids, no per-child pricing

  • Flexible hours built around your actual schedule, not a center's hours

  • No closures for holidays or teacher in-service days unless you and your nanny agree to them

  • One-on-one or sibling-focused attention instead of a larger classroom ratio

  • Many nannies help with related tasks: kids' laundry, meal prep, driving to school or activities

  • Less risk of sickness for your child on a day-to-day basis

  • No need to account for pick-up and drop-off time

When the math gets closer than you'd think: if you have a third child, need before/after-school coverage on top of daycare, or your work schedule doesn't match standard daycare hours, the nanny option often closes the cost gap significantly, or comes out ahead once you factor in convenience, sick days, and the time you're not spending on drop-off/pickup logistics.

So which is right for your family?

There's no universal right answer. Daycare can be a great fit for families who want a fixed schedule, a classroom-style social environment, and predictable costs. A nanny can be a great fit for families who value flexibility, want one dedicated caregiver for multiple kids, or need coverage that doesn't run on a center's schedule.

If you're weighing the decision for your own family, we're happy to talk through what a nanny would realistically look like for your specific schedule, number of kids, and needs; no pressure, just real numbers. Visit us at lonestarnannies.com for more information.

‍

Welcome to Lone Star Nannies, specialists in matching Texas families with full-time and part-time nannies, newborn night care, and on-call babysitters. With a personalized, relationship-focused approach, we’re proud to support families in Dallas–Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas suburbs with reliable long-term nanny placements, temporary care, and event childcare solutions.

‍ ‍


LEARN MORE ABOUT US
Paige Burlew
Next

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Nanny While Working From Home in Dallas-Fort-Worth