Licensed Daycare in Phoenix, Arizona
351 licensed daycares in Phoenix, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Arizona licensing records.
Phoenix listings updated May 2026 from official Arizona records.
Daycare in Phoenix: what parents should know
Families in Phoenix can choose from 351 licensed childcare providers. Every provider here holds a current Arizona license at indexing time, sourced from Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 45 centers in Phoenix report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 45 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 45 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Phoenix spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 13% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Together, licensed providers in Phoenix report capacity for roughly 24,235 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Phoenix childcare by the numbers
The Phoenix childcare landscape
Arizona has no universal pre-K, but Phoenix families have something unusual working in their favor: First Things First, a statewide early-childhood agency funded by a voter-approved tobacco tax, which pays for quality programs, scholarships, and the state's quality-rating system. Knowing how to tap it changes the affordability picture.
First Things First and Quality First
First Things First (FTF) — created by Arizona voters in 2006 and funded by a tobacco tax — funds early-childhood scholarships, teacher quality, and Quality First, the state's quality-improvement and rating system. When comparing Phoenix providers, a Quality First star rating is a meaningful signal, and some FTF scholarships can offset cost at participating programs.
Subsidies and Head Start
Arizona's childcare subsidy is administered by the Department of Economic Security (DES) for eligible working families; expect a waitlist in busy periods. For income-eligible infants through preschoolers, Southwest Human Development — one of the largest early-childhood nonprofits in the country — runs Head Start and Educare programs across the Phoenix area.
How licensing works
Child-care centers in Arizona are licensed and inspected by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), while DES certifies family child care homes. Phoenix's climate matters here — ADHS rules emphasize shade, hydration, and indoor space, so ask how each program handles outdoor time in summer heat.
Neighborhoods and cost
Full-time infant care in Phoenix commonly runs $1,000–$1,400/month — below the coastal metros. Scottsdale and Ahwatukee skew higher-end; central Phoenix and the West Valley (Glendale, Peoria) are more moderate; and the East Valley (Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert) is a large adjacent market many Phoenix families also search.
When to start looking
District and Head Start programs open enrollment ahead of the fall — check in spring. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists; and contact DES about a subsidy well before you need it, since approval and placement take time.
Childcare costs in Phoenix
ChildCare Aware reports the Arizona average full-time cost at $1,050/month for infant care and $780/month for preschool. City-level prices in Phoenix vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Arizona families may also qualify for AZ DES Child Care Assistance (intake: (602) 542-4248).
Full Arizona licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:8
- Preschool ratio
- 1:13
- Avg capacity
- 69 kids
Largest licensed centers in Phoenix
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Phoenix licensed centers
Page 18 of 24Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Phoenix, Arizona?
What's the average daycare cost in Phoenix?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Phoenix daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Phoenix?
How do I verify a Phoenix daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Phoenix
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programAZ DES Child Care Assistance can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(602) 542-4248 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Phoenix
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Phoenix, Arizona are compiled from official Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 351 Licensed Centers in Phoenix
Free, no signup, verified directly with Arizona Department of Health Services — Child Care Licensing.