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 →YOUNG CHILD ACADEMY OF SOUTH LAKE UNION
Seattle
RIGHT AT SCHOOL AT MARY E THELER LEARNING CENTER
Belfair
PRESCHOOL LACEY LLC
Lacey
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT NO 501
Bellingham
RIGHT AT SCHOOL AT MCCLURE ELEMENTARY
Yakima
RIGHT AT SCHOOL AT NOB HILL ELEMENTARY
Yakima
RIGHT AT SCHOOL AT GILBERT ELEMENTARY
Yakima
PREMIER WA BELLEVUE LLC
Bellevue
YMCA AT HUDTLOFF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Lakewood
INSPIRE DEVELOPMENT CENTER - OTHELLO
Othello
DISCOVERY MONTESSORI
Seattle
PUYALLUP YMCA ELC
Puyallup
Daycare in Washington — Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the staff-to-child ratio in Washington?
How much does daycare cost in Washington?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Washington?
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Search 2,497 Licensed Washington Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.