Local service guide
Childcare in Chandler, AZ: Costs and Care Planning
For Childcare in Chandler, start with your child’s age, school and required pickup time, then compare care arrangements against that schedule. For kindergarten through sixth grade, CUSD’s state-licensed Kids Express program publishes 2026–2027 monthly fees of $200 for five-day before-school care, $360 for after-school care and $390 for both. For younger children or care outside those hours, request a written quote and review the caregiver’s credentials, supervision practices and backup arrangements before committing. [1]
Choose care around the hours you need
Write down the earliest drop-off and latest pickup you need, including travel time. Add your child’s age, school, start date and any feeding, medication or accommodation needs. Use that same brief when speaking with a center, home-based provider, nanny or sitter so you can compare their answers.
CUSD describes Kids Express as a state-licensed program for kindergarten through sixth grade. Families can choose three or five days per week; the district offers no daily or drop-in rates. If you need occasional coverage, ask another provider about a specific arrangement rather than assuming you can buy a single Kids Express school day. [1]
For preschool or infant care, request a quote for your child’s age and exact schedule. These published fees cover school-age care and do not establish what a center, home-based provider or nanny should charge for a younger child. Ask each candidate about openings and the earliest confirmed start date. [1]
Compare the full cost of the arrangement
For 2026–2027, CUSD lists three-day monthly fees of $184 for before-school care, $280 for after-school care and $348 for both. Its five-day fees are $200, $360 and $390, respectively. CUSD includes a snack with afternoon care and charges an $80 nonrefundable annual registration fee per child. [1]
CUSD requires full monthly payment on the first day of the month. It keeps monthly rates unchanged during months with intersession camps, while excluding those camps from monthly tuition. Include separate school-break coverage in your budget before comparing the program with a private arrangement. [1]
Ask private providers to itemize tuition or hourly pay, registration, deposits, meals, transportation, late pickup and cancellation terms. For a nanny or sitter, agree on duties and payment for schedule changes. Compare quotes using the same hours and responsibilities; define the coverage you need before comparing a monthly school-care fee with an hourly quote.
Kids Express accepts DES childcare assistance for eligible families, and CUSD says it may offer financial assistance case by case. Ask the program coordinator how assistance would apply to your enrollment and what you would owe while seeking approval. [1]
Tour and screen before agreeing to care
Ask a center or group-home operator to identify its license or certification and explain how you can review its inspection and investigation records. Arizona Department of Health Services guidance covers suspected violations at licensed child care centers and certified group homes. That guidance does not establish a credential requirement for a private nanny or sitter. [3]
During a visit, ask who will supervise your child, how staff handle absences, and how they document injuries or medication. Discuss authorized pickup, illness exclusions, allergies and emergency contact procedures. For an individual caregiver, request references and discuss CPR and first-aid training, relevant experience and backup coverage.
If you suspect a rule or statute violation at a licensed center or certified group home, ADHS requires a written complaint. Include the facility name and address, dates, times, witnesses and a description of the events. You can ask the Surveyor on Duty at 602-364-2539 whether your concern falls within the department’s jurisdiction. [3]
Arrange coverage for school breaks
Match the school calendar with your work calendar before signing a care agreement. Kids Express includes early release days in monthly tuition but excludes teacher in-service days, holiday camps and intersession camps. Decide who will cover each excluded day and ask about separate registration. [1]
As of October 13, 2026, CUSD lists winter camp at Riggs and Tarwater elementary schools for December 18, 2026 through January 4, 2027, with closures on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1. The published rate is $58 per day for grades K–6, with hours from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CUSD schedules registration to open November 17 at 9:00 a.m.; confirm space before treating camp as secured coverage. [1]
The City of Chandler summer-camp page lists its May 26 through July 10, 2026 session. Those dates have passed. Use its listed locations as planning leads and ask about the next published season’s dates, hours, fees and accommodations before arranging summer care. [4]
Kids Express five-day monthly fees, 2026–2027
Local details that affect your job
School transportation changes where you drop off and collect
CUSD assigns Frye and San Marcos students to Bologna, Shumway students to Sanborn, and Hartford students to Knox Gifted Academy for afternoon care only. For participating morning routes, parents drop children at the assigned Kids Express site before the designated bus time. Parents collect children at the host site after afternoon transport. CUSD requires registration for care and transportation and asks families to allow 48 hours for contract approval. [2]
City camps have distinct age groups and locations
For its published 2026 summer program, Chandler lists youth camps for ages 5–12 at the Community Center, Chandler Nature Center, Snedigar Recreation Center and Tumbleweed Recreation Center. It lists a separate Tumbleweed tween camp for ages 10–13. For future summer planning, check the appropriate age group and location rather than assuming siblings can attend the same session. The city has not listed 2027 availability on this page. [4]
Match the arrangement to your schedule
| Your need | Option to consider | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring K–6 school-day care | CUSD Kids Express | Three- or five-day plan, school assignment and the 6:00 p.m. pickup limit |
| Occasional school-day coverage | A separately agreed sitter or other provider | Exact dates and hours; Kids Express offers no daily or drop-in school-day rates |
| Infant or preschool care | A center, home-based provider or individual caregiver | Age acceptance, credentials, supervision, availability and a written quote |
| Winter school-break coverage | Published Kids Express winter camp | Separate registration, space and the listed holiday closures |
| Future summer coverage | City recreation camps as planning leads | Next season’s dates, age eligibility, hours and fees; published 2026 dates have passed |
Your hiring checklist
- Record your child’s age, school, required hours and desired start date.
- Confirm the care location, pickup location and any transportation arrangements.
- Request a written quote with registration, deposits and additional charges.
- Ask to review relevant credentials and available inspection or investigation records.
- Discuss allergies, medication, illness rules and authorized pickup.
- Check references and agree on supervision and emergency procedures.
- Assign coverage for school closures and caregiver absences.
- Confirm enrollment approval before relying on a start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does before-and-after-school care cost?
CUSD’s 2026–2027 Kids Express fee is $348 per month for three days per week or $390 for five days. Add the $80 nonrefundable annual registration fee per child and budget for camps outside monthly tuition. These are one district program’s published prices, not an average for private childcare. [1]
Can I collect my child at their usual school?
Confirm the assigned site. CUSD buses students from selected schools to host campuses and directs parents to collect them at the Kids Express location after transport. Hartford students attend afternoon care at Knox Gifted Academy; CUSD does not offer Hartford morning care. [2]
Does Kids Express accept childcare assistance?
Yes. CUSD says Kids Express accepts DES childcare assistance for eligible families. It also describes case-by-case financial assistance. Ask the coordinator about your circumstances and confirm your payment obligation before enrolling. [1]
Can I review a provider’s complaint investigation results?
ADHS says families can review completed investigation results in the facility’s public records, the department’s public file or its website. Its complaint guidance applies to licensed child care centers and certified group homes. Ask for the findings and discuss any corrective action with the operator. [3]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.