Licensed Daycare in Aurora, Colorado
397 licensed daycares in Aurora, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Colorado licensing records.
Aurora listings updated May 2026 from official Colorado records.
Daycare in Aurora: what parents should know
Aurora has 397 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 21% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Colorado license at indexing time, sourced from Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration.
For age coverage, 9 centers in Aurora report infant care (roughly 2% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 74 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 9 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Aurora spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 29% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Aurora providers are approved for approximately 22,791 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Aurora childcare by the numbers
The Aurora childcare landscape
Aurora is one of the most diverse cities in the country — a major refugee and immigrant resettlement hub — and its childcare market reflects that, with strong demand for multilingual care. Colorado's statewide free preschool applies here, while the local school districts and Head Start fill the gaps.
Free preschool (Universal Preschool Colorado)
Every Aurora 4-year-old can access free hours through Universal Preschool Colorado (UPK), regardless of income, delivered by participating providers and by Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools. The state runs a single application that then matches to a local program.
Multilingual care, subsidies and Head Start
Aurora's large immigrant and refugee communities mean home-language and bilingual programs are a real strength — worth asking about directly. Colorado's subsidy is CCCAP, administered through Arapahoe and Adams counties, and local Head Start programs serve income-eligible infants and preschoolers.
Licensing and quality
Child care is licensed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Look for a provider's Colorado Shines rating alongside any NAEYC accreditation, and confirm the public license and inspection record before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
As part of the Denver metro, Aurora runs a bit below the city itself — full-time infant care commonly lands around $1,300–$1,700/month. Newer centers cluster in the southeast (near the Southlands and E-470) while central and north Aurora carry more community-based and subsidized options.
When to start looking
The UPK Colorado application opens in winter for the following fall. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists; if you need home-language support, contact providers directly to confirm availability.
Childcare costs in Aurora
ChildCare Aware reports the Colorado average full-time cost at $1,430/month for infant care and $1,080/month for preschool. City-level prices in Aurora 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. Colorado families may also qualify for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) (intake: (303) 866-5957).
Full Colorado licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 57 kids
Largest licensed centers in Aurora
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Aurora licensed centers
Page 5 of 27Pick 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 Aurora, Colorado?
What's the average daycare cost in Aurora?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Aurora daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Aurora?
How do I verify a Aurora daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Aurora
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 programColorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(303) 866-5957 · 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 Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Aurora
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Aurora, Colorado are compiled from official Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration 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 397 Licensed Centers in Aurora
Free, no signup, verified directly with Colorado Department of Early Childhood — Licensing & Administration.