Licensed Daycare in Delaware
Find the right daycare in Delaware in under 5 minutes. 1,218 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE). Free, no signup.
Delaware Childcare Licensing
In Delaware, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE). Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:6 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
Verify a license at Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE)What's distinctive about Delaware: Delaware's small geography means most families can access multiple licensed providers within a 15-minute drive. Purchase of Care (POC) subsidies cover most working families.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing (DELACARE)
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,230/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $880/mo
Delaware Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Delaware families can apply for DE Purchase of Care (POC) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (866) 552-2729
Official Delaware & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Program Types in Delaware
Recently Verified Centers
View all 1,218 →CREATIVE BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER I
Wilmington
LOVE DRIVES REMI CAMPUS
Georgetown
BRILLIANT LITTLE MINDS @ CLECC
Middletown
ARK SOUTH LEARNING CENTER
Wilmington
LITTLE KID'S SWAGG LEARNING CENTER, LLC TOO
Dover
JADE THOMPSON
Newark
PHRYDAE TODD
Wilmington
YMCA OF DE/SUSSEX CONSORTIUM
Lewes
OLIVETTE JACKSON
Newark
LOVE DRIVES MCKENZIE CAMPUS
Lincoln
LIFEHOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
Townsend
LITTLE BUSY BEES CHILDCARE
Wilmington
Daycare in Delaware — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Delaware is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Delaware?
How much does daycare cost in Delaware?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Delaware?
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Search 1,218 Licensed Delaware Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.