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Licensed Daycare in Connecticut

Search 1,729 verified daycare and childcare centers across Connecticut, sourced directly from Connecticut Office of Early Childhood . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

1,729
Licensed Centers
$1,620/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,200/mo
Avg Preschool
1:4
Infant Ratio

Connecticut Childcare Licensing

In Connecticut, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:4 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 Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:4
Preschool ratio
1:10
Avg infant cost
$1,620/mo
Avg preschool cost
$1,200/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Connecticut

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Meriden
142 centers
Bristol
140 centers
West Haven
138 centers
Milford
138 centers
New Britain
75 centers
Bridgeport
74 centers
Hartford
43 centers
Stamford
34 centers
New Haven
34 centers
Waterbury
31 centers
Norwalk
27 centers
W Hartford
20 centers
Financial help

Connecticut Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Connecticut families can apply for Care 4 Kids 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: (888) 214-5437

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in Connecticut

Licensed Family Daycare Home
217 centers
Preschool Program
216 centers
Montessori School
216 centers
Licensed Group Child Care Home
216 centers
Licensed Child Care Center
216 centers
Infant & Toddler Center
216 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 1,729 →
M Family Daycare

Meriden KinderSmile #111

Meriden

School Age (5+) Cap 108
A Group Care

Active Kids Meriden #112

Meriden

School Age (5+) Cap 113
M Preschool

Meriden Playhouse Academy #113

Meriden

Preschool (2-5) Cap 76
M Head Start

Meriden Learning Center #114

Meriden

2 years - 12 years Cap 79
M Before/After School

Meriden Childcare Academy #115

Meriden

School Age (5+) Cap 15
M Infant Care

Meriden Little Stars Daycare #116

Meriden

Preschool (2-5) Cap 61
M Montessori

Meriden Rainbow Learning Center #117

Meriden

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 100
M Licensed Center

Meriden Bright Futures Daycare #118

Meriden

Infants & Toddlers Cap 73
L Family Daycare

Little Hearts Meriden #119

Meriden

School Age (5+) Cap 102
M Group Care

Meriden Kids First Academy #120

Meriden

School Age (5+) Cap 25
M Preschool

Meriden Sunshine Daycare #121

Meriden

Preschool (2-5) Cap 79
T Head Start

Tiny Tots of Meriden #122

Meriden

2 years - 12 years Cap 91

Daycare in Connecticut — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Connecticut is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://www.ctoec.org/families/.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Connecticut?
State minimums in Connecticut are roughly 1:4 infants, 1:4 toddlers, and 1:10 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Connecticut?
Full-time infant care averages about $1620/month; preschool runs around $1200/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Connecticut trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Connecticut?
Yes. The primary state program is Care 4 Kids, reachable at (888) 214-5437. 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 Connecticut daycare?
File a complaint with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 1,729 Licensed Connecticut Centers

Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.

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