Licensed Daycare in Memphis, Tennessee
104 licensed daycares in Memphis, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Tennessee licensing records.
Memphis listings updated August 2026 from official Tennessee records.
Daycare in Memphis: what parents should know
Families in Memphis can choose from 104 licensed childcare providers. Every provider here holds a current Tennessee license at indexing time, sourced from Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 12 centers in Memphis report infant care (roughly 12% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 14 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 12 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Memphis spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 13% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Memphis's licensed centers hold about 7,088 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Memphis childcare by the numbers
The Memphis childcare landscape
Memphis has a strong, locally rooted early-childhood network — anchored by Porter-Leath, one of the city's major Head Start providers — layered on Tennessee's state pre-K. For a major metro, costs here are among the more manageable in the country.
Free and public pre-K
Tennessee funds the Voluntary Pre-K (TN-VPK) program, free for eligible 4-year-olds, delivered through Memphis-Shelby County Schools and partners. For income-eligible infants and preschoolers, Porter-Leath operates an extensive Head Start and Early Head Start network across Memphis.
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
Memphis is affordable for a major metro — full-time infant care commonly runs $900–$1,200/month. East Memphis and the suburbs of Germantown and Collierville skew higher-end; Midtown and the core have more community-based and subsidized 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; even in an affordable market, infant rooms are the first to fill.
Childcare costs in Memphis
ChildCare Aware reports the Tennessee average full-time cost at $870/month for infant care and $680/month for preschool. City-level prices in Memphis 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
- 68 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Memphis?
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 Memphis
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Memphis? 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 Memphis? 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 Memphis licensed centers
Page 3 of 7Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Memphis, Tennessee?
What's the average daycare cost in Memphis?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Memphis daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Memphis?
How do I verify a Memphis daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Memphis
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 Memphis
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Memphis, 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 104 Licensed Centers in Memphis
Free, no signup, verified directly with Tennessee Department of Human Services — Child Care Licensing.