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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 →
N Licensed Center

NEW ADVENTURES MAIN

Tacoma

3 years 0 months — 7 years 0 months Cap 50
B Licensed Center

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB-ORCHARD

Richland

School Age (5+) Cap 60
C Licensed Center

CEDARBROOK EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Port hadlock

birth — 13 years 0 months Cap 76
B Licensed Center

BALLARD FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

Seattle

Infants & Toddlers Cap 83
N Licensed Center

NURTURING KNOWLEDGE AT GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Seattle

3 years 0 months — 13 years 0 months Cap 55
L Licensed Center

LIGHTHOUSE MONTESSORI

Seattle

Infants & Toddlers Cap 25
F Licensed Center

FREDERICKSON KINDERCARE

Tacoma

1 month — 13 years 0 months Cap 172
Y Licensed Center

YMCA WEST SEATTLE/CONCORD

Seattle

Infants & Toddlers Cap 70
S Licensed Center

SPOKANE TRIBAL TANF CHILDRENS CENTER

Spokane

1 month — 6 years 0 months Cap 30
H Licensed Center

HOPE HARBOR ENTERPRISES, LLC

Friday harbor

Infants & Toddlers Cap 26
S Licensed Center

SOUTH YMCA CHILDRENS CENTER

Spokane

School Age (5+) Cap 33
N Licensed Center

NORTH WALL SCHOOLS INC

Spokane

1 month — 13 years 0 months Cap 100

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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