Licensed Daycare in Washington
Find the right daycare in Washington in under 5 minutes. 5,021 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Free, no signup.
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)What's distinctive about Washington: Washington's Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) serves families up to 60% state median. Seattle metro dominates supply — Eastern WA and rural counties have limited options.
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
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
Official Washington & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Program Types in Washington
Recently Verified Centers
View all 5,021 →Discovery Childcare Inc 2
Everett
Aurora Church Of The Nazarene
Shoreline
Good Times Childcare Center Llc
Lacey
Planting Flowers Learning Center
Federal Way
Panda Bear Child Care Center Llc
Sunnyside
Children's Academy Of Seattle Iv
Seattle
Bright Stars Montessori
Bellevue
Bell Creek Nature School Llc
Deming
Childsplay Learning Center Llc
Vancouver
Good Times Childcare Center Llc Red Room
Lacey
Meadows Montessori School
Ferndale
Royal Kids Early Learning Center
Yakima
Daycare in Washington — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Washington is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Washington?
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Washington?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Washington daycare?
Search 5,021 Licensed Washington Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.