Washington childcare real estate: values, cap rates & market data.
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.
Washington, DC childcare market — key figures
The median childcare real estate cap rate in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. is 6.94%, based on 12 of 25 sold childcare transactions compiled by Little Scholars Real Estate, at a median sold price of $410 per square foot.
In the Washington, DC metro, 9 national-chain childcare centers surveyed in 2025 reported median monthly tuition of $2,091 for infants and $1,797 for preschool.
The Washington, DC metro has 380,023 children under age five and a median household income of $123,896; its population grew 2.0% and its under-five population declined 5.8% between 2018 and 2023.
Little Scholars Real Estate is a childcare-only business and real estate brokerage led by Alan Stahl, with 80 transactions closed across 18+ states.
Sources: Little Scholars Real Estate sold-comps database (592 childcare transactions across 41 states, updated June 2026); Little Scholars 2025 tuition survey, rates received directly from individual schools; U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2018 and 2023). Figures may be cited or republished with attribution to Little Scholars Real Estate (CC BY 4.0).
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.
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
9 childcare properties currently listed for sale in Virginia, Maryland & DC.
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