Licensed Daycare in Illinois
Find the right daycare in Illinois in under 5 minutes. 5,200 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing. Free, no signup.
Illinois Childcare Licensing
In Illinois, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:8 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 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care LicensingWhat's distinctive about Illinois: Illinois's CCAP serves families up to 200% federal poverty level — one of the more generous thresholds. Chicago metro daycare runs 60% above the state median; downstate areas are 30% below.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:8
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,340/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $960/mo
Illinois Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Illinois families can apply for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) via IDHS 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) 202-4453
Official Illinois & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
View all 5,200 →Kids R Us Rockford #113
Yates City
Rockford Learning Tree #114
Zcta 615hh
Jumping Jacks Rockford #115
Peoria
Rockford Sunflower Daycare #116
Peoria Heights
Rockford Panda Kids Academy #117
Peoria
Rockford Wonder Years #118
Peoria
Little Genius Rockford #119
Peoria
Rockford Cloud Nine Kids #120
Bartonville
Nurturing Hearts Rockford #121
Zcta 61610
Rockford Smart Start Academy #122
East Peoria
Rockford Little Angels #123
Peoria Heights
Explorer Kids Rockford #124
Peoria
Daycare in Illinois — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Illinois is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Illinois?
How much does daycare cost in Illinois?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Illinois?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Illinois daycare?
Search 5,200 Licensed Illinois Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.