Licensed Daycare in Cleveland, Ohio
51 licensed daycares in Cleveland, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Ohio licensing records.
Cleveland listings updated May 2026 from official Ohio records.
Daycare in Cleveland: what parents should know
There are 51 licensed childcare providers on record in Cleveland, with Licensed Group Child Care Home the most common type (about 16% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Ohio license at indexing time, sourced from Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 5 centers in Cleveland report infant care (roughly 10% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 6 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 5 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Cleveland spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 12% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
In total, Cleveland providers are approved for approximately 3,355 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Cleveland childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Cleveland
ChildCare Aware reports the Ohio average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $700/month for preschool. City-level prices in Cleveland 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. Ohio families may also qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537).
Full Ohio licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:5
- Toddler ratio
- 1:7
- Preschool ratio
- 1:14
- Avg capacity
- 65 kids
Largest licensed centers in Cleveland
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Cleveland licensed centers
Page 1 of 1Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
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Where to get childcare help in Cleveland
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 programPublicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(866) 886-3537 · 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 Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Cleveland
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Cleveland, Ohio are compiled from official Ohio Department of Children and Youth — 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 51 Licensed Centers in Cleveland
Free, no signup, verified directly with Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.