Licensed Daycare in Indianapolis, Indiana
48 licensed daycares in Indianapolis, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Indiana licensing records.
Indianapolis listings updated May 2026 from official Indiana records.
Daycare in Indianapolis: what parents should know
Indianapolis has 48 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Preschool the most common type (about 17% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Indiana license at indexing time, sourced from Indiana FSSA — Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.
For age coverage, 6 centers in Indianapolis report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 8 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 4 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis report capacity for roughly 3,058 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Indianapolis childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Indianapolis
ChildCare Aware reports the Indiana average full-time cost at $970/month for infant care and $750/month for preschool. City-level prices in Indianapolis 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. Indiana families may also qualify for Indiana Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) (intake: (800) 299-1627).
Full Indiana licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Indiana FSSA — Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 63 kids
Largest licensed centers in Indianapolis
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Indianapolis licensed centers
Page 1 of 4Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Indianapolis, Indiana?
What's the average daycare cost in Indianapolis?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Indianapolis daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Indianapolis?
How do I verify a Indianapolis daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Indianapolis
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 programIndiana Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 299-1627 · 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 Indiana FSSA — Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Indianapolis
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Indianapolis, Indiana are compiled from official Indiana FSSA — Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning 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 48 Licensed Centers in Indianapolis
Free, no signup, verified directly with Indiana FSSA — Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.