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Licensed Daycare in Texas

Search 15,138 verified daycare and childcare centers across Texas, sourced directly from Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation . Filter by age group, program type, and subsidy acceptance — no signup.

15,138
Licensed Centers
$1,100/mo
Avg Infant Care
$780/mo
Avg Preschool
1:4
Infant Ratio

Texas Childcare Licensing

In Texas, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.

Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:9 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:15 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.

Verify a license at Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation

Quick licensing facts

Regulator
Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation
Infant ratio
1:4
Toddler ratio
1:9
Preschool ratio
1:15
Avg infant cost
$1,100/mo
Avg preschool cost
$780/mo

Top Cities for Daycare in Texas

View all cities →
Houston
1,681 centers
San Antonio
796 centers
Austin
652 centers
Dallas
507 centers
Fort Worth
491 centers
El Paso
393 centers
Katy
318 centers
Arlington
223 centers
Spring
211 centers
Plano
188 centers
Lubbock
184 centers
Frisco
168 centers
Financial help

Texas Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits

Texas families can apply for Texas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services) 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: (800) 252-9240

Check Subsidy Eligibility Estimate Your Cost

Program Types in Texas

Licensed Center
9,683 centers
Registered Child Care Home
1,865 centers
Licensed Child Care Home
1,581 centers
Listed Family Home
1,415 centers
General Residential Operation
376 centers
Child Placing Agency
218 centers

Recently Verified Centers

View all 15,138 →
R Licensed Center

Rare Learning, Inc

Frisco

2 years - 12 years Cap 18
J Family Daycare

Jennifer Dawn Fielding

Oyster Creek

Infants & Toddlers Cap 3
H Licensed Center

Happy Face Home Daycare

Savannah

Infants & Toddlers Cap 12
L Licensed Center

Lakeridge United Methodist Church

Lubbock

2 years - 12 years Cap 130
Y Licensed Center

YMCA Prime Time DeLeon

Victoria

2 years - 12 years Cap 60
C Family Daycare

Cassandra Diaz Deleon

Kingsville

2 years - 12 years Cap 3
C Licensed Center

Center For Transforming Lives Riverside CDC

Fort Worth

Infants & Toddlers Cap 182
H Licensed Center

HAVARD ELEM ASP/YMCA

Houston

2 years - 12 years Cap 100
S Licensed Center

Smart Start Child Care

San Juan

Infants & Toddlers Cap 88
B Licensed Center

Bridge Emergency Shelter

2 years - 12 years Cap 16
I Licensed Center

Infant Center

Garland

Infants & Toddlers Cap 12
T Licensed Center

The Children's Shelter

2 years - 12 years Cap 32

Daycare in Texas — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know a daycare in Texas is licensed?
Every center listed here is verified against the Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation database. Look for the 'Licensed' badge on each profile. You can also confirm directly via the agency's lookup tool at https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/safety/child-care/search-child-care.
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Texas?
State minimums in Texas are roughly 1:4 infants, 1:9 toddlers, and 1:15 preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below these ceilings.
How much does daycare cost in Texas?
Full-time infant care averages about $1100/month; preschool runs around $780/month. Costs vary by city — large metros like Texas trend higher than rural areas.
Are subsidies available for childcare in Texas?
Yes. The primary state program is Texas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services), reachable at (800) 252-9240. Federal options like Head Start, the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, and Dependent Care FSA also apply. See our subsidies guide for eligibility rules.
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Texas daycare?
File a complaint with the Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation via their website. Inspections are public record; severe violations result in license suspension.

Search 15,138 Licensed Texas Centers

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