Licensed Daycare in Dallas, Texas
465 licensed daycares in Dallas, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Texas licensing records.
Dallas listings updated May 2026 from official Texas records.
Daycare in Dallas: what parents should know
Our directory lists 465 licensed childcare providers in Dallas, Texas, with Licensed Center the most common type (about 73% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Texas license at indexing time, sourced from Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.
Licensed care in Dallas spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 5% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Dallas's licensed centers hold about 41,448 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Dallas childcare by the numbers
The Dallas childcare landscape
Dallas has invested heavily in full-day public pre-K, and a large regional Head Start network serves younger children — so eligible families have strong free options even though Texas has no universal pre-K. For everyone else, Dallas sits in the affordable middle of the major-metro range.
Free and public pre-K
Dallas ISD has expanded free full-day prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-olds (qualifying on income, English-learner status, foster care, military service, or homelessness), and surrounding districts (Richardson, Garland, Plano) run pre-K as well. For income-eligible infants and toddlers, Head Start of Greater Dallas operates one of the region's largest Head Start and Early Head Start networks.
Subsidies and quality
The state Child Care Services (CCS) scholarship is administered locally by Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas; apply early given demand. Check each provider's Texas Rising Star quality rating — the local "Early Matters Dallas" coalition has pushed hard on raising quality across the metro.
How licensing works
Texas licenses and inspects providers through HHSC Child Care Regulation. Because Texas ratios are looser than NAEYC recommendations, verify the ratio in your child's actual classroom and read the public inspection history before you commit.
Neighborhoods and cost
Full-time infant care in Dallas commonly runs $1,000–$1,400/month — more affordable than the coasts. Premium options cluster in North Dallas, Preston Hollow, and Lakewood; Oak Cliff and the southern sectors are more affordable; and the booming northern suburbs (Plano, Frisco, Richardson) add large, newer centers.
When to start looking
Dallas ISD and suburban pre-K open enrollment ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant rooms, tour in late winter or spring for an August start and get on waitlists early; the most popular centers fill months ahead.
Childcare costs in Dallas
ChildCare Aware reports the Texas average full-time cost at $1,100/month for infant care and $780/month for preschool. City-level prices in Dallas 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. Texas families may also qualify for Texas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services) (intake: (800) 252-9240).
Full Texas licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:9
- Preschool ratio
- 1:15
- Avg capacity
- 91 kids
Largest licensed centers in Dallas
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Dallas licensed centers
Page 6 of 31Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Dallas, Texas?
What's the average daycare cost in Dallas?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Dallas daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Dallas?
How do I verify a Dallas daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Dallas
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 programTexas Workforce Commission CCS (Child Care Services) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(800) 252-9240 · 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 Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Dallas
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Dallas, Texas are compiled from official Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation 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 465 Licensed Centers in Dallas
Free, no signup, verified directly with Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.