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Licensed Daycare in Washington

Search 2,497 verified daycare and childcare centers across Washington, sourced directly from Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

2,497
Licensed Centers
$1,480/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,100/mo
Avg Preschool
1:4
Infant Ratio

Washington Childcare Licensing

In Washington, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:7 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:7
Preschool ratio
1:10
Avg infant cost
$1,480/mo
Avg preschool cost
$1,100/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Washington

View all cities →
Seattle
383 centers
Tacoma
178 centers
Spokane
138 centers
Vancouver
115 centers
Bellevue
113 centers
Bremerton
82 centers
Yakima
79 centers
Bellingham
64 centers
Everett
60 centers
Redmond
54 centers
Puyallup
53 centers
Olympia
49 centers
Financial help

Washington Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Washington families can apply for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.

Local intake line: (877) 501-2233

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Recently Verified Centers

View all 2,497 →
S Licensed Center

SMALL WORLD PRESCHOOL

North bend

2 years 6 months — 6 years 6 months Cap 40
D Licensed Center

DYLAN JUDE HARRELL COMMUNITY

Long beach

Infants & Toddlers Cap 48
I Licensed Center

INSPIRE KIDS EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC

Tukwila

1 month — 13 years 0 months Cap 89
P Licensed Center

PATEROS TREEHOUSE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Pateros

birth — 13 years 0 months Cap 72
O Licensed Center

OLYMPIA LEARNING CENTER

Olympia

1 month — 9 years 0 months Cap 96
Y Licensed Center

YMCA OF GRAYS HARBOR LEARNING FACILITY

Hoquiam

3 years 0 months — 13 years 0 months Cap 72
A Licensed Center

ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS' PRESCHOOL

Tacoma

3 years 0 months — 6 years 0 months Cap 73
S Licensed Center

SECOND STAR FARM OUTDOOR NATURE SCHOOL LLC

Puyallup

Infants & Toddlers Cap 12
H Licensed Center

HAPPY HEARTS CHILDCARE LLC

Spokane valley

3 years 0 months — 13 years 0 months Cap 30
G Licensed Center

GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT CELEBRATION PARK

Federal way

birth — 6 years 0 months Cap 70
B Licensed Center

BALLINGER SHORELINE KINDERCARE

Shoreline

1 month — 6 years 0 months Cap 145
Y Licensed Center

Y EARLY EDUCATION AT REDMOND

Redmond

birth — 6 years 0 months Cap 126

Daycare in Washington — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Washington is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/look-up-licensed-providers.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Washington?
State minimums in Washington are roughly 1:4 infants, 1:7 toddlers, and 1:10 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Full-time infant care averages about $1480/month; preschool runs around $1100/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Washington trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Washington?
Yes. The primary state program is Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), reachable at (877) 501-2233. Federal options like Head Start, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Dependent Care FSA also apply. See our subsidies guide for eligibility rules.
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Washington daycare?
File a complaint with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 2,497 Licensed Washington Centers

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