Local service guide
Phoenix childcare: Fees, Hours and Enrollment
Choose Phoenix childcare by matching your child's age, toileting needs and required pickup time, then confirm a place and the full enrollment payment before committing. Check school-break coverage separately. For facility-based care, use Arizona's child care licensing resources to find provider records and license history before paying a deposit. [2]
Match your child's needs to the daily schedule
Write down your earliest drop-off, latest pickup and required days. Allow time to travel from work to the care site. Discuss allergies, medication, naps and toileting support before comparing prices. Ask who will care for your child and how staff communicate with parents.
PVSchools lists Child Development Centers at two Phoenix campuses. Full-day hours run from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The half-day option runs from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is available only for three-year-olds. Children must be toilet-trained to receive the three-year-old rate. [1]
Washington Elementary School District's KidSpace information offers another district-program comparison, but the supplied page names campuses without addresses or explicit Phoenix geography. Confirm the site's address, eligibility and travel time before considering enrollment. All KidSpace participants must be toilet-trained; Early Childhood Enrichment participants must also turn four before their start date. [4]
Compare tuition with the amount due at enrollment
Request a written quote for the same age, days and hours from each provider. Separate recurring tuition, registration, deposits, transportation and optional duties. For a nanny or sitter, specify the number of children and the tasks you expect before asking for a rate.
PVSchools charges an annual non-refundable $90 registration fee at contract approval. Its published monthly tuition is $1,449 for birth through age two, $1,300 for three-year-old full-day care and $656 for three-year-old half-day care for 2026–27. The district says rates can change without notice. [1]
WESD lists morning school-day care at $15 per week and afternoon care at $40 per week. At approval, families pay a non-refundable registration fee of $50 for one child or $100 for multiple children, plus a non-refundable one-week deposit. Its school-day terms give no credits or refunds for holidays, closures or absences. [4]
WESD lists no processing fee for debit or ACH checking payments and a 3% processing fee for credit-card payments. Confirm the payment method and total charge before submitting a contract. [4]
Check records and agree on care policies
The Arizona Department of Health Services child care licensing page links license-history searches, provider and facility databases, complaint resources and unlicensed-care FAQs. Match the provider name and address to the site you intend to use. Ask the department to explain any record or status you cannot interpret. [2]
Visit the location and request written policies for illness, medication, emergency contact and authorized pickups. Ask how the caregiver would handle your child's specific needs. Review cancellation and closure terms before signing.
For care in your home, interview the caregiver and check references with their permission. Discuss CPR and first-aid training, emergency procedures and backup arrangements. Record the agreed hours, duties, pay and transportation permissions in writing.
Confirm afterschool and fall-break coverage
Phoenix Afterschool Center, or PAC, serves ages 6–13 at school sites citywide for 2026–27. Staff provide homework help, structured activities and supervised free play. Contact the program to confirm your school's participation, pickup hours, fees and a place. [3]
WESD lists school-day morning care from 6:30 a.m. until school starts and afternoon care until 6:00 p.m. Its separate October 12–16, 2026 fall-break program names Lookout Mountain as the location. The published page does not verify that campus's Phoenix address; obtain the address and camp hours from WESD. [4]
As of October 11, the break starts tomorrow and WESD's no-cancellation period has already begun. The district accepts no cancellations starting October 9 and gives no credits or refunds. Registration requires approval, and the page allows up to five business days for online registration review. Contact WESD immediately to confirm whether approval before October 12 is possible; arrange backup care until staff confirm acceptance. [4]
For the standard break program, WESD lists a $160 flat weekly rate per child and a non-refundable registration fee of $25 for one child or $50 for multiple children starting September 28. Currently enrolled ECE families have their contracted break schedule included in October tuition and pay $25 per day for attendance outside that schedule. They must still register, and the district does not guarantee space. [4]
PVSchools published monthly childcare tuition, 2026–27
Local details that affect your job
Choose a verified Phoenix campus and prepare documents
PVSchools identifies Foothills Campus at 17835 N 44th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032, and Pinnacle High School at 3535 E Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050. Before contract approval, submit a state-issued birth certificate, current immunization records, both parent or guardian government-issued photo IDs and applicable custody documents with a case number and court seal. Check your route and gather these documents before requesting a start date. [1]
Check PAC participation before planning pickup
The city accepts PAC registrations first come, first served and offers a waitlist. Call 602-262-7370 to confirm whether your child's school participates and whether staff can accept your child. Ask for the pickup arrangements and closing time before using PAC in your workday plan. [3]
Prepare for WESD break care only after acceptance
WESD requires a non-perishable lunch from home for fall-break care. DES families need authorization at the camp site before approval, including temporary authorization for Washington Lookout Mountain for October 12–16. Contact your caseworker with the dates and site, and confirm the address with WESD. The source does not establish a Phoenix campus location. [4]
Choose the next program or caregiver to investigate
| Your need | Option | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Birth through age two | PVSchools Child Development Centers | $1,449 monthly; 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; confirm a place at a listed Phoenix campus. |
| Three-year-old care | PVSchools full-day or half-day care | $1,300 or $656 monthly; toilet training is required for the three-year-old rate. |
| Afterschool care for ages 6–13 | Phoenix Afterschool Center | School participation, pickup hours, fees and acceptance; a waitlist is available. |
| Before or after school | WESD KidSpace district example | $15 morning or $40 afternoon weekly; all participants must be toilet-trained; verify the campus address. |
| Four-year-old care | WESD Early Childhood Enrichment district example | Child must turn four before starting and be toilet-trained; verify location, session and acceptance. |
| Care in your home | Individual nanny or sitter | Discuss references, training, duties, transportation permissions and backup care. |
Your hiring checklist
- Specify age, toileting needs, required days and the complete drop-off and pickup window.
- Confirm the exact address, eligibility and an approved place before changing your work schedule.
- Review available facility and license-history records through Arizona's licensing resources.
- Request a written breakdown of tuition, registration, deposits and cancellation terms.
- Gather the provider's requested identity, health, custody and emergency-contact information.
- Discuss medication, allergies, authorized pickups and emergency procedures.
- Confirm break-care approval, meal requirements and any site-specific assistance authorization.
- Arrange backup care for closures, illness or an unapproved enrollment request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for childcare?
Use a quote for your child's age and schedule. PVSchools publishes 2026–27 monthly tuition of $1,449 for birth through age two, $1,300 for three-year-old full-day care and $656 for three-year-old half-day care, plus an annual $90 registration fee. These are one district's program prices, not a citywide estimate. [1]
How do I check a childcare facility?
Use the Arizona Department of Health Services licensing page to reach license-history searches and provider databases. Match the name and address, ask about unclear records and visit the site. Request written care and payment policies before paying. [2]
Can I still arrange WESD fall-break care on October 11?
Contact WESD immediately. Its October 12–16 program requires approval, limits space and allows up to five business days for registration review. The no-cancellation period began October 9. Ask whether staff can approve your child before the break starts and keep backup care until they confirm acceptance. [4]
Does current WESD ECE enrollment guarantee break care?
No. WESD requires registration and says space is not guaranteed. Currently enrolled ECE families have their contracted schedule included in October tuition, with a $25 daily charge outside that schedule. All KidSpace participants must be toilet-trained, and fall-break participants must bring a non-perishable lunch from home. [4]
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.