Reviewed by the Nanny Lane team · Last updated
How much does a child care provider cost in Topeka, KS in 2026?
In Topeka, KS, the average child care provider earns about $13.83 per hour. For a typical 40-hour week, that works out to roughly $553/week or $2,397/month. Most Topeka families pay somewhere in the $8–$20/hour range, depending on experience, the number of kids, and what's expected on the job.
These numbers come from 218 live child care provider listings in Topeka on Nanny Lane. We update this page whenever the data moves.
- Weekly
(40 hrs) - $553
- Monthly
- $2,397
- Annual
- $28,766
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What drives the price
Most Topeka families pay somewhere in the $8–$20/hour range. Where a given family lands depends on a handful of factors. Three of them drive most of the spread.
Experience
Number of kids
| 1 kid (baseline) | $13.83 |
|---|---|
| 2 kids | ~$14.83 |
| 3+ kids | ~$15.83+ |
Hours & 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
| Arrangement | Typical hours | Average rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 35–50 hrs/week | $14.20/hr | |
| Part-time | 10–25 hrs/week | $14.28/hr | |
| Live-in | Set by family | $14.66/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.
How do Topeka child care provider rates compare to state and national averages?
Topeka runs below the U.S. average for child care provider rates — a meaningful budget advantage for families looking here.
Hiring child care in Topeka, KS typically costs about 2% less than the Kansas average of $14/hour and 18% less than the United States average of $17/hour.
| Area | Average hourly rate | vs. Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | $14/hr | — |
| Kansas | $14/hr | +2% |
| United States | $17/hr | +21% |
Where Topeka, KS fits among nearby cities
10 nearby cities have enough child care provider data to compare, with rates ranging from $11.95/hour in Junction City to $17.04/hour in Kansas City.
Below: how each compares to the Topeka, KS average of $13.83/hour — Topeka, KS is highlighted at its true rank.
Nearby cities ranked by child care provider rate
| # | City | $/hr | vs. Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $17.04 | +23% | |
| 2 | Overland Park | $16.66 | +20% | |
| 3 | Lenexa | $15.98 | +16% | |
| 4 | Shawnee | $14.97 | +8% | |
| 5 | Olathe | $14.73 | +7% | |
| 6 | TopekaThis city | $14.24 | +3% | |
| 7 | Lawrence | $13.63 | -1% | |
| 8 | Wichita | $12.93 | -7% | |
| 9 | Manhattan | $12.20 | -12% | |
| 10 | Junction City | $11.95 | -14% |
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?
and enjoy flexible child care.
How families use Nanny Lane to find a child care provider in Topeka, 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:
- 01
Browse child care provider profiles in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS
218 active listings in Topeka
Nanny Emilee
Nanny Emilee
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Kolbie
Nanny Kolbie
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Natalyne
Nanny Natalyne
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Jordan
Nanny Jordan
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Certifications
Nanny Angel
Nanny Angel
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Braylynn
Nanny Braylynn
A little bit about me
I'm 17, and was formally a Manger at skyzone here in topeka, I have a lot of good experience working with a huge range of kiddos.
Certifications
Nanny Charla
Nanny Charla
A little bit about me
Have experience working with
Nanny Kalyssa
Nanny Kalyssa
A little bit about me
I worked with children before ages 2-4 and love being able to spread joy to the children and making sure they are having fun while also following the rules.
I do work as a bookkeeper at a car wash usually during the morning time to noon.
But after that I'm free almost all the time and truly don't have a set schedule yet, communication is key for me so that would be the best way to talk.