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Licensed Daycare in Kentucky

Search 1,950 verified daycare and childcare centers across Kentucky, sourced directly from Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Division of Child Care . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

1,950
Licensed Centers
$870/mo
Avg Infant Care
$680/mo
Avg Preschool
1:5
Infant Ratio

Kentucky Childcare Licensing

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

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:5 for infants under 12 months, 1:6 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:12 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Division of Child Care

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Division of Child Care
Infant ratio
1:5
Toddler ratio
1:6
Preschool ratio
1:12
Avg infant cost
$870/mo
Avg preschool cost
$680/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Kentucky

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Lexington
127 centers
Louisville
84 centers
Corbin
71 centers
Bowling Green
31 centers
Carrollton
20 centers
Princeton
16 centers
Paducah
14 centers
Hopkinsville
13 centers
Ashland
13 centers
Williamsburg
12 centers
Owensboro
11 centers
Elizabethtown
11 centers
Financial help

Kentucky Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Kentucky families can apply for Kentucky Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) 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: (855) 306-8959

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in Kentucky

Montessori School
244 centers
Licensed Family Daycare Home
244 centers
Licensed Child Care Center
244 centers
Infant & Toddler Center
244 centers
Head Start Center
244 centers
Before & After School Care
244 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 1,950 →
L Licensed Center

Louisville Discovery Preschool #13

Middletown

Infants & Toddlers Cap 101
L Family Daycare

Louisville Stepping Stones #14

Louisville

School Age (5+) Cap 72
F Group Care

First Steps Louisville #15

Pleasure Ridge P

School Age (5+) Cap 104
L Preschool

Louisville Little Scholars #16

Valley Station

Preschool (2-5) Cap 17
L Head Start

Louisville Creative Kids #17

Fern Creek

2 years - 12 years Cap 33
A Before/After School

ABC Academy Louisville #18

Jeffersontown

School Age (5+) Cap 51
L Infant Care

Louisville Precious Moments #19

Zcta 402hh

Preschool (2-5) Cap 91
L Montessori

Louisville Golden Gate Daycare #20

Burgin

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 35
K Licensed Center

Kids R Us Louisville #21

Carlisle

Infants & Toddlers Cap 69
L Family Daycare

Louisville Learning Tree #22

Westbend

School Age (5+) Cap 100
J Group Care

Jumping Jacks Louisville #23

Clearfield

School Age (5+) Cap 71
L Preschool

Louisville Sunflower Daycare #24

Denniston

Preschool (2-5) Cap 106

Daycare in Kentucky — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Kentucky is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Division of Child Care database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://prdweb.chfs.ky.gov/Office_Phone/PortalDirectorySearch.aspx.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Kentucky?
State minimums in Kentucky are roughly 1:5 infants, 1:6 toddlers, and 1:12 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Kentucky?
Full-time infant care averages about $870/month; preschool runs around $680/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Kentucky trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Kentucky?
Yes. The primary state program is Kentucky Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), reachable at (855) 306-8959. 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 Kentucky daycare?
File a complaint with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services — Division of Child Care via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 1,950 Licensed Kentucky Centers

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