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 →Cedar School
Seattle
St Pius X Pre-kindergarten Preschool
Mountlake Terrace
Ymca Of Greater Seattle/ymca At Thurgood Marshall
Seattle
Right At School - Jing Mei Mandarin Dual Language Elem Cc
Bellevue
Ymca At Westgate Elementary
Edmonds
Unity Childrens University Development Center
Tacoma
Orchidpeaks International Montessori School
Lynnwood
Lake Forest Park Whizz Kids
Lake Forest Park
Kiddie Academy Of Kirkland
Kirkland
The Goddard School - Kirkland
Kirkland
Right At School At Harry S Truman
Vancouver
Kidzone Learning Center V Inc
Puyallup
Daycare in Washington — Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the staff-to-child ratio in Washington?
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Washington?
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Search 5,021 Licensed Washington Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.