I sure wish we lived closer. I only charge 120 per week. Those prices out there are way out of my league.
I did a little playing with numbers.. I used to have a mom that lived in Shawnee just off I-35 and 75th I think. I am not sure if 75th is right. She said it took 25 minutes to get here. But she worked and lived there so she spent 100 minutes per day on the road bringing her son to me. The cost of her doing that was about 250-300 per month when the gas was where it is now.
You can find less expensive daycare if you drive a little outside your area and in towards the city. But you need to consider the gas and time of course :) But even with the gas, with what Missouri providers charge it's still cheaper if you don't mind the drive. I know that there are quite a few providers that charge 90 and 100 per week in South KC, Grandview, and Raytown.