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Licensed Daycare in Dayton, Ohio

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Dayton?

Statewide averages in Ohio run roughly $920/month for infants and $700/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: What staff-to-child ratios apply in Dayton daycares?

All licensed Ohio centers must meet the state minimum: 1:5 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers, and 1:14 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Dayton typically operate below these ceilings.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Dayton?

Ohio families can apply for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Looking for daycare in this area? Below is the full list of licensed providers as reported by the state's child care regulator.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$920/mo

Ohio avg infant

1:5

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Dayton

ChildCare Aware reports the Ohio average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $700/month for preschool. City-level prices in Dayton vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Ohio families may also qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537).

Full Ohio licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing
Infant ratio: 1:5
Toddler ratio: 1:7
Preschool ratio: 1:14
Avg capacity: 66 kids

ZIP codes covered

45404 7 7 45406 6 45405 6 45440 5 45433 5 45419 5 45417 5

Program types in Dayton

Montessori School

10 centers

Licensed Group Child Care Home

10 centers

Head Start Center

10 centers

Before & After School Care

9 centers

Licensed Family Daycare Home

8 centers

Preschool Program

7 centers

Dayton

School Age (5+) Cap 16

Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.

Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Dayton, Ohio?

Our directory lists 68 licensed childcare centers in Dayton, Ohio, sourced from Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Dayton?

Statewide averages in Ohio run roughly $920/month for infants and $700/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Dayton daycares?

All licensed Ohio centers must meet the state minimum: 1:5 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers, and 1:14 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Dayton typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Dayton?

Ohio families can apply for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Dayton daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.