Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Middletown, DE in 2026?
In Middletown, DE, the average child care provider earns about $17.29 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $692/week or $2,997/month. Most Middletown families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
Average hourly rate$17.29/hr · Middletown average
These numbers come from 77 live child care provider listings in Middletown on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $692
- Monthly
- $2,997
- Annual
- $35,963
Find child care near you
What drives the price
Most Middletown families pay somewhere in the $15–$25/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
01
Experience
Experience is one of the biggest levers on a child care provider's rate.
Nannies with 10+ years, or specialty skills like newborn care or multiple languages, typically command the highest hourly rates.
02
Number of kids
One child is the baseline. Each additional child usually adds $1–$2/hour. Twins and infants tend toward the high end.
+$1 to $2/hour per additional child
| 1 kid (baseline) | $17.29 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$18.29 |
| 3+ kids | ~$19.29+ |
03
Hours & schedule
Standard weekday daytime hours are easiest to staff. Early mornings, evenings, weekends, and last-minute coverage all push rates up.
10–20%premium for off-hours coverage
| Weekday 9–5 (standard) | — |
|---|---|
| Evening/weekend | +$2–4/hr |
| Last-minute | +$3–5/hr |
Also factor in: live-in vs. live-out · household duties beyond childcare · driving · cooking · travel.
Full-time, part-time, and live-in child care provider rates
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $17.86/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $17.24/hr |
Part-time runs slightly lower per hour than full-time here, which often means strong full-time demand supports higher rates for committed schedules.
How do Middletown child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Middletown sits close to the national average for child care provider rates.
Hiring child care in Middletown, DE typically costs about 1% more than the Delaware average of $17/hour and 3% more than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Middletown, DE |
|---|---|---|
| Middletown, DE | $17/hr | — |
| Delaware | $17/hr | -1% |
| United States | $17/hr | -3% |
Tips to find a great child care provider without overpaying
- Be flexible on experience. Some of the best child care on the platform have 3–5 years on the job and charge meaningfully less than experienced child care with 10+ years. References matter more than years.
- Consider a share. If your kids are similar ages and you live near another family, a share is the single biggest cost reduction available without compromising on care.
- Be specific about hours upfront. Most child care will take a slightly lower rate for a guaranteed steady schedule than for a higher-rate, unpredictable one.
- Bundle benefits thoughtfully. Two weeks PTO, a health stipend, transit passes, education assistance, or an annual raise commitment can help close the gap with families offering a higher hourly rate.
- Match rate to responsibilities. A higher rate often makes sense once you add cooking, errands, or driving. Don't compare apples to oranges across listings.
How to reduce nanny costs?
Split the cost of a nanny with another family
and enjoy flexible child care.
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Middletown, DE
Nanny Lane is a marketplace built specifically for connecting families with child care — no recruiters in the middle. Most families work through it like this:
- 01
Browse child care provider profiles in Middletown, DE
Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.
- 02
Message the ones who look like a fit
Reach out to the child care whose experience and rate match what you're looking for.
- 03
Schedule a phone call, then a paid trial day
Trial days feel awkward at first — that's normal. They're the best way to see how a child care provider fits with your family in real time.
- 04
Hire your child care provider
If you'd rather not handle taxes and payroll yourself, our payroll team can take care of it.
Available child care in Middletown, DE
77 active listings in Middletown
Nanny Azirah
Nanny Azirah
Middletown, DE
$17/hr
Full-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Azirah, I am a 22 year old nursing student, who also loves to babysit. I have the knowledge needed to be attentive and caring for a child of all ages. I 4 year experience starting from watching my siblings to helping out my neighborhood mothers and fathers. I have a very bubbly, outgoing personality that draws children to me also energetic to keep them entertained. In addition to having experience and a sincere affection for children, I am responsible, trustworthy, patient, all of which contribute to their safety and wellbeing. I would love to take the stress off of parents and just be a helping hand.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Kaylee
Nanny Kaylee
Middletown, DE
$17/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
My name is Kaylee, I am in 10th grade. I am a Nurse Tech program at my high school. I love kids and seeing them grow up and learn. I have watched baby cousins, Kids with disabilities. I am a kind, fun, and responsible.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Zyke
Nanny Zyke
Middletown, DE
$16.50/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience
A little bit about me
I'm 19 the oldest on both sides of my family and I'm kid friendly and fun to be around and responsible
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Carley
Nanny Carley
Middletown, DE
$16.50/hr
Part-time
5 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello, my name is Carley Davis. I am 17 years old and I am a senior in high school. I am in the Early Childhood Education pathway and I also play varsity volleyball. I have 5 years babysitting experience from kids ages infants- 12 years old.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Jill
Nanny Jill
Middletown, DE
$17/hr
Full-time
7 years experience
A little bit about me
Hey I’m Jill. I'm a positive and energetic person with my bachelors degree and master’s degree along with early childhood education experience. I have experience working as a camp counselor for many years and as a babysitter caring for children ages toddler-13, as well as working in numerous preschools for 3+ years. Your children will revive the appropriate care and I'm willing to help out with other tasks as requested. I'm an organizer, multitasker and very energetic so they will always be entertained and I'm great with crafts and pets! I can give them a safe, stable environment to play and grow and have fun. I am also first aid and CPR certified.
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Lauren
Nanny Lauren
Middletown, DE
$17/hr
Part-time
3 years experience
A little bit about me
Currently finishing up my undergrad for Special Education— I have previously babysat for many families of varying ages. I am able frequently and adapt easily w families!
Have experience working with
Special Needs
Certifications
CPR
First Aid
Nanny Asianai
Nanny Asianai
Middletown, DE
$16/hr
Full-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello my name is Asia! I am a young woman aspiring to provide safe, fun, educational, and loving environments for children and students. I major in Elementary Education at Morgan State University with course education from Early College High School at Delaware State University. I have a very warm heart for the kiddos being an oldest sister myself. I look forward to being your nanny !
Have experience working with
Infants
Special Needs
Nanny Tiyonna
Nanny Tiyonna
Middletown, DE
$16/hr
Part-time
2 years experience
A little bit about me
Hello!! I am a part-time nanny, who's looking to help anyone in need of a helping hand around the house. I know being a parent is not as easy as everyone makes it seem, so I'm here lighten the load for parents. A few facts about me are that I am 18 years old, I am African American, and also, I grew up raising kids all my life, so childcare something I would like to pursue in my future career.
Have experience working with
Infants
Nanny Camille
Nanny Camille
Middletown, DE
$16/hr
Full-time
6 years experience
A little bit about me
My name is Camille Chandler, I am a mom of 4 beautiful children. I come with over 15 years of experience working with children. I am reliable, dependable and trust worthy. I love and enjoy working with children.
Have experience working with
Special Needs