Licensed Daycare in Maine
Find the right daycare in Maine in under 5 minutes. 754 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services. Free, no signup.
Maine Childcare Licensing
In Maine, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:5 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 Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family ServicesWhat's distinctive about Maine: Maine has scarce licensed daycare outside Portland and Bangor — rural families often rely on family child care homes or family-cooperative arrangements. CCSP serves families up to 85% state median.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,230/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $940/mo
Maine Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Maine families can apply for Maine Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) 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: (207) 624-7999
Official Maine & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
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Daycare in Maine — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Maine is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Maine?
How much does daycare cost in Maine?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Maine?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Maine daycare?
Search 754 Licensed Maine Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.