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Licensed Daycare in New Jersey

Search 3,783 verified daycare and childcare centers across New Jersey, sourced directly from NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

3,783
Licensed Centers
$1,530/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,100/mo
Avg Preschool
1:4
Infant Ratio

New Jersey Childcare Licensing

In New Jersey, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of 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, 1:6 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 NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:6
Preschool ratio
1:10
Avg infant cost
$1,530/mo
Avg preschool cost
$1,100/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in New Jersey

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Toms River
114 centers
Newark
69 centers
Paterson
59 centers
Trenton
39 centers
Jersey City
39 centers
Hamilton
36 centers
Elizabeth
35 centers
Camden
32 centers
Clifton
28 centers
Cherry Hill
27 centers
Princeton
22 centers
Middlesex
22 centers
Financial help

New Jersey Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

New Jersey families can apply for NJ Child Care Subsidy Program (DFD) 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: (800) 332-9227

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in New Jersey

Preschool Program
473 centers
Montessori School
473 centers
Licensed Group Child Care Home
473 centers
Licensed Child Care Center
473 centers
Infant & Toddler Center
473 centers
Head Start Center
473 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 3,783 →
N Group Care

Newark Panda Kids Academy #145

Pennington

School Age (5+) Cap 89
N Preschool

Newark Wonder Years #146

Perrineville

Preschool (2-5) Cap 94
L Head Start

Little Genius Newark #147

Plainsboro

2 years - 12 years Cap 45
N Before/After School

Newark Cloud Nine Kids #148

Princeton

School Age (5+) Cap 65
N Infant Care

Nurturing Hearts Newark #149

Princeton

Preschool (2-5) Cap 34
N Montessori

Newark Smart Start Academy #150

Princeton Juncti

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 73
N Licensed Center

Newark Little Angels #151

Ringoes

Infants & Toddlers Cap 119
E Family Daycare

Explorer Kids Newark #152

Rocky Hill

School Age (5+) Cap 39
N Group Care

Newark Generations Daycare #153

Roebling

School Age (5+) Cap 109
N Preschool

Newark KinderSmile #154

Roosevelt

Preschool (2-5) Cap 27
A Head Start

Active Kids Newark #155

Skillman

2 years - 12 years Cap 65
N Before/After School

Newark Playhouse Academy #156

Stockton

School Age (5+) Cap 78

Daycare in New Jersey — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in New Jersey is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://nj.childcareaware.org/families/find-child-care/.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in New Jersey?
State minimums in New Jersey are roughly 1:4 infants, 1:6 toddlers, and 1:10 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in New Jersey?
Full-time infant care averages about $1530/month; preschool runs around $1100/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like New Jersey trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in New Jersey?
Yes. The primary state program is NJ Child Care Subsidy Program (DFD), reachable at (800) 332-9227. 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 New Jersey daycare?
File a complaint with the NJ Department of Children and Families — Office of Licensing via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 3,783 Licensed New Jersey Centers

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