Licensed Daycare in Delaware
Find the right daycare in Delaware in under 5 minutes. 1,218 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE). Free, no signup.
Delaware Childcare Licensing
In Delaware, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE). Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:6 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 Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE)What's distinctive about Delaware: Delaware's small geography means most families can access multiple licensed providers within a 15-minute drive. Purchase of Care (POC) subsidies cover most working families.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE)
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,230/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $880/mo
Delaware Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Delaware families can apply for DE Purchase of Care (POC) 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: (866) 552-2729
Official Delaware & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Program Types in Delaware
Recently Verified Centers
View all 1,218 →LITTLE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Seaford
LITTLE DREAMERS DAYCARE LLC
Townsend
CRADLES TO CRAYONS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
New Castle
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB @ H. M. BRADER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Newark
ABOVE & BEYOND PRESCHOOL & EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Newark
BEACH BABIES CHILD CARE/TOWNSEND
Townsend
YMCA OF DELAWARE/YMCA-BEAR BRANCH
Newark
CHILDREN OF AMERICA-HOCKESSIN
Hockessin
LYNN BARNES
Harrington
CARMEN BENITEZ
Claymont
DORIS HAGANS
Milton
KIDZ INK V ACADEMY OF EARLY ACADEMICS
Smyrna
Daycare in Delaware — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Delaware is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Delaware?
How much does daycare cost in Delaware?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Delaware?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Delaware daycare?
Search 1,218 Licensed Delaware Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.