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Licensed Daycare in Arizona

Search 3,354 verified daycare and childcare centers across Arizona, sourced directly from Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

3,354
Licensed Centers
$1,050/mo
Avg Infant Care
$780/mo
Avg Preschool
1:5
Infant Ratio

Arizona Childcare Licensing

In Arizona, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:5 for infants under 12 months, 1:8 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:13 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing
Infant ratio
1:5
Toddler ratio
1:8
Preschool ratio
1:13
Avg infant cost
$1,050/mo
Avg preschool cost
$780/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Arizona

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Phoenix
568 centers
Tucson
293 centers
Mesa
193 centers
Scottsdale
140 centers
Glendale
80 centers
Tempe
47 centers
Chandler
40 centers
Bullhead City
40 centers
Gilbert
33 centers
Peoria
32 centers
Wickenburg
30 centers
27 centers
Financial help

Arizona Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Arizona families can apply for AZ DES Child Care Assistance 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: (602) 542-4248

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in Arizona

Preschool Program
420 centers
Head Start Center
420 centers
Montessori School
419 centers
Licensed Group Child Care Home
419 centers
Licensed Family Daycare Home
419 centers
Licensed Child Care Center
419 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 3,354 →
L

La Petite Academy Avondale #253

Whiteriver, AZ

Montessori School
A

Avondale Discovery Preschool #254

Woodruff, AZ

Licensed Child Care Center
A

Avondale Stepping Stones #255

Flagstaff, AZ

Licensed Family Daycare Home
F

First Steps Avondale #256

Flagstaff, AZ

Licensed Group Child Care Home
A

Avondale Little Scholars #257

Bellemont, AZ

Preschool Program
A

Avondale Creative Kids #258

Gray Mountain, AZ

Head Start Center

Daycare in Arizona — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Arizona is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://azccs.azdhs.gov/.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Arizona?
State minimums in Arizona are roughly 1:5 infants, 1:8 toddlers, and 1:13 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Arizona?
Full-time infant care averages about $1050/month; preschool runs around $780/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Phoenix trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Arizona?
Yes. The primary state program is AZ DES Child Care Assistance, reachable at (602) 542-4248. 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 Arizona daycare?
File a complaint with the Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 3,354 Licensed Arizona Centers

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