Licensed Daycare in Peoria, Illinois
20 licensed daycares in Peoria, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Illinois licensing records.
Peoria listings updated August 2026 from official Illinois records.
Daycare in Peoria: what parents should know
Peoria has 20 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Infant Care the most common type (about 20% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Illinois license at indexing time, sourced from Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 4 centers in Peoria report infant care (roughly 20% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 2 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 3 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Peoria spans 6+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 5% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Peoria providers are approved for approximately 1,478 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Peoria childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Peoria
ChildCare Aware reports the Illinois average full-time cost at $1,340/month for infant care and $960/month for preschool. City-level prices in Peoria 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. Illinois families may also qualify for Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) via IDHS (intake: (877) 202-4453).
Full Illinois licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:8
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 73 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Peoria?
Estimate your monthly cost by age and program type, then see which subsidies and tax credits you may qualify for.
What to pack for the first day
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Dishwasher-safe ones survive daily bottle washing; paper labels peel within a week.
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Ask the center first — many supply cots but require your own fitted sheet.
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Two full changes per day for potty-training age, one for older kids.
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Most centers ask for one clearly named bottle a child can open alone.
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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 Peoria
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Peoria? 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 Peoria? 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 Peoria licensed centers
Page 2 of 2Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Peoria, Illinois?
What's the average daycare cost in Peoria?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Peoria daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Peoria?
How do I verify a Peoria daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Peoria
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 programChild Care Assistance Program (CCAP) via IDHS can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(877) 202-4453 · 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 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Peoria
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Peoria, Illinois are compiled from official Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day 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 20 Licensed Centers in Peoria
Free, no signup, verified directly with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — Day Care Licensing.