Licensed Daycare in Minneapolis, Minnesota
60 licensed daycares in Minneapolis, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Minnesota licensing records.
Minneapolis listings updated May 2026 from official Minnesota records.
Daycare in Minneapolis: what parents should know
Minneapolis has 60 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Montessori the most common type (about 17% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Minnesota license at indexing time, sourced from Minnesota Department of Human Services — Licensing Division.
For age coverage, 8 centers in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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.
Combined, Minneapolis's licensed centers hold about 4,712 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Minneapolis childcare by the numbers
The Minneapolis childcare landscape
Minnesota runs one of the more respected quality-rating systems in the country — Parent Aware — and pairs it with Early Learning Scholarships that follow the child. In Minneapolis, that means quality and affordability tend to move together, though the market is high-cost overall.
Free and public pre-K
Minneapolis Public Schools runs district pre-K, and Minnesota funds voluntary pre-K seats and Early Learning Scholarships that eligible families can apply toward high-rated providers. For income-eligible infants and preschoolers, Parents in Community Action (PICA) operates much of the Minneapolis-area Head Start.
Subsidies and quality (Parent Aware)
Minnesota's subsidy is the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), administered locally through Hennepin County. The big tool to use here is Parent Aware — Minnesota's star-rating system — because Early Learning Scholarships are tied to higher-rated programs, so quality ratings directly affect what you can afford.
How licensing works
Minnesota child care is licensed and inspected by the state (early-childhood oversight is consolidating under the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families). Licensing status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Minneapolis is a higher-cost market — full-time infant care commonly runs $1,400–$1,900/month. Southwest Minneapolis skews higher-end; Northeast and North Minneapolis have more community-based and subsidized options; and the St. Paul side and inner suburbs are routinely searched alongside the city.
When to start looking
District pre-K and scholarship applications open ahead of the fall — apply in winter or spring. For infant care, Minneapolis supply is tight, so tour early and join waitlists well before your start date.
Childcare costs in Minneapolis
ChildCare Aware reports the Minnesota average full-time cost at $1,380/month for infant care and $1,020/month for preschool. City-level prices in Minneapolis 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. Minnesota families may also qualify for Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) (intake: (651) 431-3809).
Full Minnesota licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Minnesota Department of Human Services — Licensing Division
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:7
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 78 kids
Largest licensed centers in Minneapolis
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Minneapolis licensed centers
Page 3 of 4Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
What's the average daycare cost in Minneapolis?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Minneapolis daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Minneapolis?
How do I verify a Minneapolis daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Minneapolis
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 programMinnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(651) 431-3809 · 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 Minnesota Department of Human Services — Licensing Division.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Minneapolis
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Minneapolis, Minnesota are compiled from official Minnesota Department of Human Services — Licensing Division 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 60 Licensed Centers in Minneapolis
Free, no signup, verified directly with Minnesota Department of Human Services — Licensing Division.