Licensed Daycare in Chattanooga, Tennessee
52 licensed daycares in Chattanooga, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Tennessee licensing records.
Chattanooga listings updated August 2026 from official Tennessee records.
Daycare in Chattanooga: what parents should know
Our directory lists 52 licensed childcare providers in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Every provider here holds a current Tennessee license at indexing time, sourced from Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 7 centers in Chattanooga report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 6 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 7 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Chattanooga spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 12% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Chattanooga's licensed centers hold about 3,454 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Chattanooga childcare by the numbers
The Chattanooga childcare landscape
Chattanooga uses Tennessee's state pre-K and a strong set of local early-childhood nonprofits, at costs among the more manageable in the country. The system is smaller and easier to navigate than Memphis or Nashville.
Free and public pre-K
Tennessee funds the Voluntary Pre-K (TN-VPK) program, free for eligible 4-year-olds, delivered through Hamilton County Schools and partners. Local organizations such as the Chambliss Center for Children provide early care (including some round-the-clock options) and Head Start-style services in the Chattanooga area.
Subsidies and quality
Tennessee's subsidy is the Child Care Certificate Program, administered by the Department of Human Services for eligible working and in-school families. Tennessee publishes a Star-Quality child-care report card; ask for a provider's star rating alongside any NAEYC accreditation.
How licensing works
Child care in Tennessee is licensed and inspected by the Department of Human Services. Licensing status and assessment scores are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Chattanooga is affordable — full-time infant care commonly runs $900–$1,200/month. North Shore and the East Brainerd area are family-dense and competitive; the core and surrounding Hamilton County add community-based options.
When to start looking
TN-VPK and Head Start enroll ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists.
Childcare costs in Chattanooga
ChildCare Aware reports the Tennessee average full-time cost at $870/month for infant care and $680/month for preschool. City-level prices in Chattanooga 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. Tennessee families may also qualify for Tennessee Child Care Certificate Program (intake: (833) 740-1440).
Full Tennessee licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:7
- Preschool ratio
- 1:13
- Avg capacity
- 66 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Chattanooga? 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 Chattanooga? 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 Chattanooga licensed centers
Page 1 of 1Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Chattanooga, Tennessee?
What's the average daycare cost in Chattanooga?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Chattanooga daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Chattanooga?
How do I verify a Chattanooga daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Chattanooga
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 programTennessee Child Care Certificate Program can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(833) 740-1440 · 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 Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Chattanooga
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Chattanooga, Tennessee are compiled from official Tennessee Department of Human 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 52 Licensed Centers in Chattanooga
Free, no signup, verified directly with Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing.