Licensed Daycare in Washington
Find the right daycare in Washington in under 5 minutes. 2,497 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Free, no signup.
Washington Childcare Licensing
In Washington, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:7 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 Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)What's distinctive about Washington: Washington's Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) serves families up to 60% state median. Seattle metro dominates supply — Eastern WA and rural counties have limited options.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:7
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,480/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $1,100/mo
Washington Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Washington families can apply for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) 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: (877) 501-2233
Official Washington & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
View all 2,497 →CARRUSEL CHILD CARE CENTER
Benton city
LITTLE EDISONS SCHOOL LLC
Pullman
BRIGHT HORIZONS - ISSAQUAH
Issaquah
DESTINY KIDS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Spokane
GIGGLING GUEST AGAIN CHILDCARE LLC
Spokane
YMCA NORTH DAY CAMP
Spokane
RIGHT AT SCHOOL AT CASCADE ELEMENTARY
Renton
PUYALLUP TRIBE CHILD CARE
Tacoma
ST. JOSEPH PRE-KINDERGARTEN
Yakima
SO SOUND YMCA GARFIELD ELEMENTARY
Olympia
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT CHILDCARE
North bend
RIDGEVIEW EXPRESS
Spokane
Daycare in Washington — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Washington is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Washington?
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Washington?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Washington daycare?
Search 2,497 Licensed Washington Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.