Licensed Daycare in Arlington, Texas
216 licensed daycares in Arlington, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Texas licensing records.
Arlington listings updated August 2026 from official Texas records.
Daycare in Arlington: what parents should know
There are 216 licensed childcare providers on record in Arlington, with Licensed Center the most common type (about 51% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Texas license at indexing time, sourced from Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.
Licensed care in Arlington spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 9% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Together, licensed providers in Arlington report capacity for roughly 15,309 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Arlington childcare by the numbers
The Arlington childcare landscape
Arlington sits in the middle of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, so families here draw on Tarrant County's childcare network — including Fort Worth-based Child Care Associates, one of the nation's largest Head Start grantees — plus Texas's eligibility-based public pre-K.
Free and public pre-K
Texas funds free public-school prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-olds (income, English-learner, foster, military, or homeless), delivered through Arlington ISD and the surrounding Mansfield and Grand Prairie districts. For income-eligible infants and preschoolers, Child Care Associates runs an extensive Head Start network across Tarrant County.
Subsidies and quality
The state Child Care Services (CCS) scholarship is administered locally by Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County — apply early given demand. Check each provider's Texas Rising Star rating; higher-rated programs exceed the licensing minimum.
How licensing works
Texas licenses and inspects providers through HHSC Child Care Regulation. Because Texas ratios run looser than NAEYC recommendations, verify the ratio in your child's specific room and review the public inspection history before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Arlington is affordable for the metroplex — full-time infant care commonly runs $1,000–$1,400/month. Its central location means many families also weigh providers toward Fort Worth or Dallas depending on commute; newer, larger centers cluster in the south and southeast.
When to start looking
District and Head Start pre-K enroll ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant care, tour in late winter or spring for an August start and join waitlists early.
Childcare costs in Arlington
ChildCare Aware reports the Texas average full-time cost at $1,100/month for infant care and $780/month for preschool. City-level prices in Arlington 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. Texas families may also qualify for Texas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services) (intake: (800) 252-9240).
Full Texas licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:9
- Preschool ratio
- 1:15
- Avg capacity
- 71 kids
What will daycare actually cost you in Arlington?
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 Arlington
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
No openings near Arlington? 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 Arlington? 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 Arlington licensed centers
Page 11 of 15Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Arlington, Texas?
What's the average daycare cost in Arlington?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Arlington daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Arlington?
How do I verify a Arlington daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Arlington
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 programTexas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 252-9240 · 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 Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Arlington
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Arlington, Texas are compiled from official Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation 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 216 Licensed Centers in Arlington
Free, no signup, verified directly with Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.