Licensed Daycare in Tempe, Arizona
36 licensed daycares in Tempe, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Arizona licensing records.
Tempe listings updated August 2026 from official Arizona records.
Daycare in Tempe: what parents should know
There are 36 licensed childcare providers on record in Tempe, with Preschool the most common type (about 25% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Arizona license at indexing time, sourced from Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 9 centers in Tempe report infant care (roughly 25% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 9 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 9 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Tempe spans 5+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute.
Combined, Tempe's licensed centers hold about 2,473 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Tempe childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Tempe
ChildCare Aware reports the Arizona average full-time cost at $1,050/month for infant care and $780/month for preschool. City-level prices in Tempe vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Arizona families may also qualify for AZ DES Child Care Assistance (intake: (602) 542-4248).
Full Arizona licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:8
- Preschool ratio
- 1:13
- Avg capacity
- 68 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Tempe?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
Program types in Tempe
What to pack for the first day
Contains affiliate links
Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
See this one on Amazon →
Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
See this one on Amazon →
Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
Browse options on Amazon →
Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
Browse options on Amazon →
Needed if the center does not provide meals; look for one that fits an ice pack.
Browse options on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are the same for you. Full list by age in our daycare supply checklist.
Largest licensed centers in Tempe
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Tempe? Widen the search
Waitlists are normal in high-demand areas. Centers one ZIP code over often have space, and part-time or in-home options may open sooner — start by checking nearby ZIP codes.
Found a center in Tempe? Here is what to pack
Bottles, name labels, nap bedding and spare clothes — our checklist by age covers what centers ask you to bring, and what they ask you not to send.
All Tempe licensed centers
Page 2 of 3Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Tempe, Arizona?
What's the average daycare cost in Tempe?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Tempe daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Tempe?
How do I verify a Tempe daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Tempe
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programAZ DES Child Care Assistance can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(602) 542-4248 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Tempe
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Tempe, Arizona are compiled from official Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · August 2026 · methodology
Search 36 Licensed Centers in Tempe
Free, no signup, verified directly with Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.