Licensed Daycare in El Paso, Texas
353 licensed daycares in El Paso, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Texas licensing records.
El Paso listings updated May 2026 from official Texas records.
Daycare in El Paso: what parents should know
El Paso has 353 licensed childcare providers in our directory, with Licensed Center the most common type (about 70% 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 El Paso spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 3% 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 El Paso report capacity for roughly 22,262 children — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
El Paso childcare by the numbers
The El Paso childcare landscape
El Paso is a border city where Spanish-language care is the norm and full-day public pre-K is widespread across the local school districts. It is also one of the most affordable major childcare markets in the country.
Free and public pre-K
Texas funds free public-school prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-olds (income, English-learner, foster, military, or homeless), and El Paso's districts — El Paso ISD, Ysleta ISD, and Socorro ISD — offer it widely, often full-day. For income-eligible families, the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region is a major local provider of Head Start and child care.
Subsidies and quality
The state Child Care Services (CCS) scholarship is administered locally by Workforce Solutions Borderplex — apply early given demand. Check each provider's Texas Rising Star rating; higher-rated programs exceed the licensing minimum.
How licensing works
Texas licenses and inspects providers through HHSC Child Care Regulation. Because Texas ratios run looser than NAEYC recommendations, verify the ratio in your child's specific room and review the public inspection history before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
El Paso is among the most affordable major markets — full-time infant care commonly runs $800–$1,100/month. The West Side and Upper Valley skew higher-end; the East Side is fast-growing with newer centers; and Spanish-language and bilingual programs are available throughout the city.
When to start looking
District and Head Start pre-K enroll ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant care, tour in late winter or spring for an August start and join waitlists early.
Childcare costs in El Paso
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 El Paso 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
- 63 kids
Largest licensed centers in El Paso
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All El Paso licensed centers
Page 3 of 17Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in El Paso, Texas?
What's the average daycare cost in El Paso?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in El Paso daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in El Paso?
How do I verify a El Paso daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in El Paso
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 El Paso
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for El Paso, 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 353 Licensed Centers in El Paso
Free, no signup, verified directly with Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.