Market intelligence · Washington, DC

Washington childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.

Q: Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. Little Scholars runs confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared.

What childcare centers and daycare properties are worth in the Washington market — grounded in our own sold-comps database, our 2025 tuition survey, and U.S. Census data.

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380,023

Children under 5 in the Washington metro (2023)

+2.0%

Population change, 2018–2023

$123,896

Median household income — above the U.S. national median

−5.8%

Change in under-5 population, 2018–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 & 2023), Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metro Area.

What this means for owners

The highest incomes in the country — and tuition to match.

The Washington metro's median household income reached $123,896 — the highest of any market we track — while the under-5 count eased 5.8% from 2018 to 2023.

Our surveyed schools span Montgomery County, Fairfax, and Loudoun, with infant rates up to $2,620 a month in Rockville. Across Virginia, Maryland, and DC our comps run 25 sales around a 6.9% median cap at $410 per square foot — premium pricing for premium demographics.

2025 tuition rates · Washington market

Real rates from Washington-market schools.

Actual monthly tuition rates our team received from national-chain schools in this market during our 2025 survey — not averages. Tuition drives revenue, and revenue drives value.

$2,091

Median infant rate / mo · Washington market

$1,797

Median preschool rate / mo · Washington market

72%

Median occupancy (enrollment ÷ licensed capacity), schools reporting

Brand	Location	Infant / mo	Pre-K / mo	Licensed capacity
KinderCare	Rockville, MD (Somerville Dr)	$2,620	$2,013	90
KinderCare	Fort Washington, MD (Indian Head Hwy)	$1,992	$1,580	113
KinderCare	Germantown, MD (Frederick Rd)	$2,490	$1,970	122
Bright Horizons	Fairfax, VA (Joseph Siewick Dr)	—	$2,285	185
La Petite Academy	Ashburn, VA (Ashburn Village Blvd)	$2,091	$1,667	180
La Petite Academy	Centreville, VA (Woodmere Dr)	$1,832	$1,541	150
Kiddie Academy	Silver Spring, MD (Sligo Ave)	—	$1,910	167
Kiddie Academy	Centreville, VA (Braddock Rd)	$2,035	$1,797	100
Kiddie Academy	Gainesville, VA (Estate Manor Dr)	$2,143	$1,728	182

Disclosure: these rates and enrollment figures were manually received by our team, directly from each school, during our 2025 survey. Only schools that shared rates are shown; figures may have changed since. Medians are computed across the schools shown; median occupancy uses only schools that reported exact enrollment. Licensed capacity per state licensing records. Source: Little Scholars 2025 brand rate survey.

Cap rates & valuation context

What childcare properties trade at in Virginia, Maryland & DC.

Across our sold-comps database, Virginia, Maryland & DC childcare properties have typically traded at 6.6–8.1% cap rates, at a median of $410 per square foot, across 25 sales. Where your property lands comes down to tenant credit, lease term, and the site itself.

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Source: Little Scholars sold-comps dataset — medians from 25 Virginia, Maryland & DC childcare sales (12 with reported cap rate), within 592 transactions across 41 states; compiled from public records, updated June 2026.

6.6–8.1%

Typical cap-rate range, VA/MD/DC sales

6.9%

Median sold cap rate, VA/MD/DC

$410

Median price per SF, VA/MD/DC

VA/MD/DC childcare sales in our dataset

Brand (national)	Median sold cap	Median $/SF
KinderCare	6.67%	$381
La Petite Academy	6.89%	$207
Kiddie Academy	6.46%	$378
Tutor Time	8.47%	$372
Childtime	6.20%	$262

Market activity

9 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Virginia, Maryland & DC.

Source: on-market childcare listings on Crexi as of July 20, 2026, reviewed by our team for childcare relevance. Availability changes daily; contact us for current opportunities.

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An instant, confidential valuation of your business and your property — built on the same data behind this page.

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Why Little Scholars

The childcare broker who's run one.

30⁺

Years in the industry

70⁺

Centers sold

18⁺

States nationwide

2,800⁺

Investors in our network

Meet Alan Stahl and the team →

FAQ

Questions from Washington owners.

How much does daycare tuition cost in Washington?

In our 2025 survey of national-chain schools in the Washington market, actual rates ran roughly $1,832–$2,620/mo for infants and $1,541–$2,285/mo for Pre-K, with medians of $2,091 and $1,797. Rates were received directly from each school and vary by program and location.

What cap rates do childcare properties sell at in Virginia, Maryland & DC?

In our sold-comps dataset of 25 Virginia, Maryland & DC childcare sales, properties have sold at a median cap rate of roughly 6.9%, typically ranging 6.6–8.1%, at a median of $410 per square foot. Individual deals vary with tenant credit, lease term, and location.

How much is my Washington daycare business worth?

Childcare businesses are usually valued on a multiple of SDE or EBITDA, and the real estate on its income and comparable sales. Our instant valuation tool estimates both — free and confidential.

Who buys childcare centers in the DC metro?

Regional and national operators, franchisees, and net-lease real-estate investors. We maintain a network of 2,800+ childcare and net-lease investors who actively acquire early-education assets across 18+ states.

Can I sell my center without my staff or competitors finding out?

Yes. We run confidential sale processes — buyers are qualified and sign NDAs before any identifying information about your center is shared. Here's how our process works.

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