Licensed Daycare in Portland, Oregon
130 licensed daycares in Portland, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Oregon licensing records.
Portland listings updated May 2026 from official Oregon records.
Daycare in Portland: what parents should know
Families in Portland can choose from 130 licensed childcare providers. Every provider here holds a current Oregon license at indexing time, sourced from Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).
For age coverage, 15 centers in Portland report infant care (roughly 12% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 18 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 15 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Portland 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.
In total, Portland providers are approved for approximately 9,073 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Portland childcare by the numbers
The Portland childcare landscape
Portland is phasing in something rare: free preschool for every child in the county. Multnomah County's voter-approved Preschool for All is building toward universal access, which is steadily changing what Portland families pay for the preschool years.
Preschool for All (Multnomah County)
Preschool for All is Multnomah County's voter-approved program — funded by a local income tax — providing free preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds, expanding each year toward universal access across Portland. It is one of the most ambitious local preschool efforts in the country, delivered through a mix of centers, homes, and school-based sites.
Subsidies and quality
Oregon's childcare subsidy is Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) for eligible working families; income limits have expanded in recent years. Check a provider's Spark rating — Oregon's quality-rating system — alongside any NAEYC accreditation. Head Start serves income-eligible infants and preschoolers across the metro.
How licensing works
Child care in Oregon is licensed and overseen by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), the state agency created to centralize early childhood. Licensing status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Full-time infant care in Portland commonly runs $1,400–$1,800/month. Close-in neighborhoods on both sides of the river are competitive; outer east Portland and the suburbs of Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Gresham add capacity (though Preschool for All is specific to Multnomah County).
When to start looking
Apply for Preschool for All ahead of the fall through Multnomah County — slots are allocated. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists; close-in Portland infant rooms fill months ahead.
Childcare costs in Portland
ChildCare Aware reports the Oregon average full-time cost at $1,380/month for infant care and $1,080/month for preschool. City-level prices in Portland 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. Oregon families may also qualify for Oregon Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) (intake: (800) 699-9074).
Full Oregon licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC)
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 69 kids
Largest licensed centers in Portland
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Portland licensed centers
Page 1 of 9Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Portland, Oregon?
What's the average daycare cost in Portland?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Portland daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Portland?
How do I verify a Portland daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Portland
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 programOregon Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 699-9074 · 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 Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).
Official license searchChildcare resources for Portland
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Portland, Oregon are compiled from official Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) 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 130 Licensed Centers in Portland
Free, no signup, verified directly with Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC).