Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated

How much does a child care provider cost in Little Rock, AR in 2026?

In Little Rock, AR, the average child care provider earns about $16.70 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $668/week or $2,895/month. Most Little Rock families pay somewhere in the $11–$23/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.

Average hourly rate$16.70/hr · Little Rock average

These numbers come from 84 live child care provider listings in Little Rock on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.

$668
$2,895
$34,736

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What drives the price

Most Little Rock families pay somewhere in the $11–$23/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 $15.44/hour, while the most experienced (6-10 yrs) charge around $18.34/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)$16.70
2 kids~$17.70
3+ kids~$18.70+

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$16.98/hr
Part-time10–25 hrs/week$16.90/hr
Live-inSet by family$17.23/hr

Part-time and full-time hourly rates are similar here — short schedules don't always command a premium when full-time openings are easy to fill.

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 Little Rock child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?

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

Hiring child care in Little Rock, AR typically costs about 3% more than the Arkansas average of $16/hour and 13% less than the United States average of $19/hour.

Average hourly child care rates compared across Little Rock, AR and reference areas.
AreaAverage hourly ratevs. Little Rock, AR
Little Rock, AR$17/hr
Arkansas$16/hr-3%
United States$19/hr+15%

Where Little Rock, AR fits among nearby cities

8 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $15.42/hour in Fort Smith to $19.07/hour in Bentonville.

Below: how each compares to the Little Rock, AR average of $16.70/hour — Little Rock, AR is highlighted at its true rank.

Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate

8 cities near Little Rock, AR ranked by average hourly child care provider rate, most to least expensive.
#City$/hrvs. Little Rock, AR
1Bentonville$19.07+14%
2Rogers$17.11+2%
3Fayetteville$16.74
Little Rock$16.70
5Springdale$15.75-6%
6Jonesboro$15.59-7%
7Conway$15.55-7%
8Fort Smith$15.42-8%
Most expensive nearby: Bentonville ($19.07) Least expensive nearby: Fort Smith ($15.42)

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 Little Rock, AR

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 Little Rock, AR

    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 Little Rock, AR

84 active listings in Little Rock

Lillian S. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Lillian

Little Rock, AR
$16/hr
Part-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Lilly, and I am 15, almost 16. I have a younger sister who is 8. I started babysitting her when she was around 4, and I also regularly babysit my cousins. Lastly, I know how to look after a baby.

Have experience working with

Infants
Antonisha W. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Antonisha

Little Rock, AR
$13 - $16/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Antonisha I am a sophomore soon to be junior in college and I play volleyball and absolutely love kids!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Jaliya H. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Jaliya

Little Rock, AR
$15.73/hr
Full-time
2 years experience

A little bit about me

hey my name is Jaliya, i’m 18 years old. i love kids, i am a caregiver and a substitute teacher. i have been taking care of people for 2 years your kids will be in great hands!

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs
Aryah S. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Aryah

Little Rock, AR
$11 - $30/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi I'm 24 years old. I'm a caring, dependable, person who truly enjoys working with children. I love creating a safe and fun environment where kids can learn and grow.

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Sharonda A. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Sharonda

Little Rock, AR
$15.75/hr
Part-time
< 1 year experience

A little bit about me

I'm a 14 year old I get along well with others an I love children I have 3 lil brother that I help out with
Cynthia H. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Cynthia

Little Rock, AR
$16.51/hr
Full-time
10+ years experience

A little bit about me

My name is Cynthia and I have two children who are grown now and I have four grandbabies under 10 and one more on the way. I have experience with children and have experience with working with children from the ages of 3yrs to 19, Youth Director for my church in Little Rock.
Layla B. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Layla

Little Rock, AR
$18/hr
Full-time
5 years experience

A little bit about me

Hello! I am an experienced and caring nanny with five years of experience working with children from infancy through elementary school age. I am passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

My approach to childcare focuses on supporting each child's development, encouraging emotional growth, and fostering independence and confidence through age-appropriate activities and positive guidance. I prioritize safety while helping children build important social, emotional, and developmental skills in a fun and supportive setting.

I enjoy partnering with families to provide consistent, attentive care and to support each child's unique personality, interests, and milestones.

Have experience working with

Infants
Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Tiffany H. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Tiffany

Little Rock, AR
$18/hr
Full-time
6 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi, I'm Tiffany! My childcare experience lies in a variety of avenues: private nanny, daycares, and a Mother's Day Out teacher. Additionally, I earned my Masters of Creative Writing and worked as a high school English teacher for a year and a half. I love working with kids and watching them learn and grow.

Have experience working with

Infants

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
Carissa C. - Seeking Work in Little Rock

Nanny Carissa

Little Rock, AR
$18/hr
Full-time
3 years experience

A little bit about me

Hi there! I'm Carissa Joy a dependable, caring, and creative nanny based in Little Rock, AR.
I have a deep love for children and years of experience caring for kids of all ages, from infants to school-aged. Whether it's helping with homework, playing imaginative games, preparing snacks, or keeping a consistent routine, I aim to create a safe and fun environment where kids feel loved and supported.

I'm CPR/First Aid certified, a non-smoker, and have my own reliable transportation. I’m happy to help with light housekeeping, school pickup/drop-off, and meal prep if needed. Parents often describe me as patient, joyful, and responsible — someone who shows up with a smile and gives 100%. I’m currently available for part-time or full-time care and open to occasional babysitting as well.

If you’re looking for a nanny who truly cares, I’d love to connect and see if we’re a good fit!

Have experience working with

Special Needs

Certifications

CPR
First Aid
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