Licensed · State-verified

Licensed Daycare in District of Columbia

Find the right daycare in District of Columbia in under 5 minutes. 0 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning. Free, no signup.

0
Licensed Centers
$2,700/mo
Avg Infant Care
$1,900/mo
Avg Preschool
1:4
Infant Ratio
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District of Columbia Childcare Licensing

In District of Columbia, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:4 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:8 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning

What's distinctive about District of Columbia: Washington DC has the highest daycare costs in the US ($2,700/mo infant care). The Universal Pre-K program serves all 3- and 4-year-olds for free regardless of income — one of the most generous in the country.

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:4
Preschool ratio
1:8
Avg infant cost
$2,700/mo
Avg preschool cost
$1,900/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in District of Columbia

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Washington
32 centers
Financial help

District of Columbia Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

District of Columbia families can apply for DC Child Care Subsidy Program 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: (202) 727-2316

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Official District of Columbia & Federal Resources

Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.

License search
DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning
Verify license & inspection history
Cost & quality data
ChildCare Aware District of Columbia
Annual cost report & advocacy
Federal · HHS.gov
Head Start Locator
Free programs for eligible families
Federal · ACF.gov
childcare.gov
National subsidy & CCDF info

Recently Verified Centers

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Daycare in District of Columbia — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in District of Columbia is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://childcareconnections.osse.dc.gov/.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in District of Columbia?
State minimums in District of Columbia are roughly 1:4 infants, 1:4 toddlers, and 1:8 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in District of Columbia?
Full-time infant care averages about $2700/month; preschool runs around $1900/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like District of Columbia trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in District of Columbia?
Yes. The primary state program is DC Child Care Subsidy Program, reachable at (202) 727-2316. 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 District of Columbia daycare?
File a complaint with the DC OSSE — Division of Early Learning via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

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