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 →Tiny Tots of Peoria #197
Gerlaw
Peoria Early Learning Center #198
Gilson
Peoria ABC Childcare #199
Gladstone
Peoria Bright Beginnings #200
Good Hope
Growing Minds Peoria #201
Henderson
Peoria Children's Place #202
Industry
Happy Days Peoria Daycare #203
Ipava
Peoria KinderCare #204
Keithsburg
Peoria Primrose School #205
Kewanee
La Petite Academy Peoria #206
Kirkwood
Peoria Discovery Preschool #207
Knoxville
Peoria Stepping Stones #208
La Fayette
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.