Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a child care provider cost in Manhattan, KS in 2026?

In Manhattan, KS, the average child care provider earns about $12.86 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $514/week or $2,229/month. Most Manhattan families pay somewhere in the $7–$19/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$12.86/hr · Manhattan average

These numbers come from 199 live child care provider listings in Manhattan on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$514
$2,229
$26,749

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What drives the price

Most Manhattan families pay somewhere in the $7–$19/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.


01

Experience

More experienced child care providers command higher rates. Entry-level (0-2 yrs) average $12.61/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $14.12/hour.
Avg hourly rate by years of experience

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
Hourly rate by number of kids
1 kid (baseline)$12.86
2 kids~$13.86
3+ kids~$14.86+

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
Hourly rate adjustment by schedule
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

ArrangementTypical hoursAverage rate
Full-time35–50 hrs/week$13.76/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$12.94/hr
Live-inSet by family$13.09/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.

Live-in rates are close to live-out here — but the package usually still includes room and board, so the all-in cost can be lower than it appears. The trade-off is space — you'll need a private bedroom and ideally a separate bathroom for the child care provider.

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How do Manhattan child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?

Manhattan runs below the U.S. average for child care provider rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.

Hiring child care in Manhattan, KS typically costs about 9% less than the Kansas average of $14/hour and 23% less than the United States average of $17/hour.

Average hourly child care rates compared across Manhattan, KS and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Manhattan, KS
Manhattan, KS$13/hr
Kansas$14/hr+10%
United States$17/hr+30%

Where Manhattan, KS fits among nearby cities

10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $12.58/hour in Junction City to $17.07/hour in Overland Park.

Below: how each compares to the Manhattan, KS average of $12.86/hour — Manhattan, KS is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate

10 cities near Manhattan, KS ranked by average hourly child care provider rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Manhattan, KS
1Overland Park$17.07+33%
2Kansas City$16.21+26%
3Lenexa$16.02+25%
4Shawnee$15.91+24%
5Olathe$15.41+20%
6Lawrence$14.23+11%
7Topeka$13.83+8%
8Wichita$13.41+4%
Manhattan$12.86
10Junction City$12.58-2%
Most expensive nearby: Overland Park ($17.07) Least expensive nearby: Junction City ($12.58)

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.
Learn more about nanny sharing

How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Manhattan, KS

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:

  1. 01

    Browse child care provider profiles in Manhattan, KS

    Filter by hourly rate, experience, languages, and availability.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 Manhattan, KS

199 active listings in Manhattan

Braylee F. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Braylee

Manhattan, KS
$15 - $23/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

I’m a current CNA as well as a full time student at Emporia State University. I am in school to get my BSN or bachelors in science of nursing and I am home for the summer looking for a reliable summer job! I enjoy working with kids and have previous experience babysitting!

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Elizabeth M. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Elizabeth

Manhattan, KS
$13/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

I love working with babies and young ones but have experience working with all ages! I’ve been working with kids for 8 years at my church and worked at a daycare for a year! I’d love to get to know your family!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

CPR
Lucy M. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Lucy

Manhattan, KS
$12/hr
Part-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi! I’m Lucy. I’ve worked with kids for several years through teaching, youth programs, and babysitting, and I absolutely love creating a fun and safe environment where kids can learn and be themselves. I’m patient, responsible, and love keeping kids engaged through crafts, games, and outdoor activities. Whether it’s helping with homework, getting creative, or just making sure everyone’s happy and safe, I always aim to bring positive energy and care into every job.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Kiersten B. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Kiersten

Manhattan, KS
$13/hr
Full-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Kiersten and I am 19 years old. I grew up around kids during 4-H and FFA. I currently live in manhattan and am planning to stay here for a while to stay close to family. I am not currently enrolled in school so I have plenty of time on my hands. The job I currently have is waitressing at two different restaurants, and I have been doing that for a little over five years.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Audrey A. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Audrey

Manhattan, KS
$12/hr
Part-time
8 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! My name is Audrey Attebery, and I am currently a junior at K-State studying elementary education! I love being around kids and have lots of experience in babysitting!

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Madelyn M. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Madelyn

Manhattan, KS
$12/hr
Part-time
7 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Madelyn Schiltz, I will be starting at K-State this fall. I have numbers of hours of experience babysitting numerous age groups, and have great house keeping skills.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certification

First Aid
Callie S. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Callie

Manhattan, KS
$12/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

Hi! My name is Callie and I am currently a college student at K-State majoring in cybersecurity and computer science. I have a long history with working with kids from helping out with my little siblings, teaching karate, and tutoring. I would love to be your right-hand helper! I can do anything from watching the kids, cleaning, running errands, and meal prep.

Have experience working with

Special Needs
Amaya T. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Amaya

Manhattan, KS
$13/hr
Part-time
4 years experience

A little bit about me

With over 5 years of experience in childcare, starting in middle school, I have honed my skills as a caregiver and a daycare instructor. Being the oldest among my siblings, I naturally assumed responsibility for nurturing and guiding them from a young age. This early exposure instilled a deep sense of responsibility and empathy towards children's needs. Throughout my professional career, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for their development. Additionally, my role as a daycare instructor has further enriched my understanding of child psychology and effective engagement strategies. I've worked for multiple summers as a theatre camp counselor, so I'm well-versed in nurturing children's creative interests. I am recently CPR certified. My childcare approach emphasizes creative and educational activities tailored to each child's interests and developmental stage.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sierra S. - Seeking Work in Manhattan

Nanny Sierra

Manhattan, KS
$12/hr
Part-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Sierra, I love working with children. I have been around them for a long time and I have an associates degree in Children's ministry and early Childhood development

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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