Licensed Daycare in San Antonio, Texas
772 licensed daycares in San Antonio, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Texas licensing records.
San Antonio listings updated May 2026 from official Texas records.
Daycare in San Antonio: what parents should know
Families in San Antonio can choose from 772 licensed childcare providers, with Licensed Center the most common type (about 65% 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 San Antonio spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 8% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, San Antonio's licensed centers hold about 63,925 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening. Of these, 1 holds a recognized accreditation (such as NAEYC), a signal of quality above the state minimum.
San Antonio childcare by the numbers
The San Antonio childcare landscape
San Antonio did something most cities have not: in 2012 voters approved a small sales tax to fund Pre-K 4 SA, a city-run, nationally studied pre-K program. Combined with Texas's eligibility-based public pre-K, it gives San Antonio families strong free options for 4-year-olds — even though Texas has no universal pre-K.
Pre-K 4 SA and public pre-K
Pre-K 4 SA runs purpose-built education centers offering free, full-day, high-quality pre-K to eligible San Antonio 4-year-olds, plus competitive grants to other providers. Separately, Texas funds free public-school prekindergarten for eligible 4-year-olds (income, English-learner, foster, military, or homeless) through San Antonio ISD, Northside ISD, and North East ISD. Between the two, many San Antonio 4-year-olds attend free.
Subsidies and Head Start
The childcare scholarship is the state Child Care Services (CCS) program, administered locally by Workforce Solutions Alamo — apply early, as demand outstrips supply. Head Start in San Antonio is run largely by Parent-Child Incorporated and city partners for income-eligible infants through preschoolers.
How licensing works
Texas licenses and inspects providers through HHSC Child Care Regulation. Texas ratios are looser than NAEYC recommendations, so verify the ratio in your child's actual room — and check the inspection history, which is public.
Neighborhoods and cost
Newer, larger centers cluster in the fast-growing north — Stone Oak and the area around US-281 and Loop 1604 — with established options in Alamo Heights, downtown, and the South and West sides. San Antonio is an affordable major market: full-time infant care commonly runs $900–$1,300/month.
When to start looking
Pre-K 4 SA and district pre-K open enrollment ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant care, the practical pattern is to tour in late winter or spring for an August start, and to get on infant waitlists early.
Childcare costs in San Antonio
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 San Antonio 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
- 83 kids
Largest licensed centers in San Antonio
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All San Antonio licensed centers
Page 1 of 1Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in San Antonio, Texas?
What's the average daycare cost in San Antonio?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in San Antonio daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in San Antonio?
How do I verify a San Antonio daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in San Antonio
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 San Antonio
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for San Antonio, 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 772 Licensed Centers in San Antonio
Free, no signup, verified directly with Texas Health and Human Services — Child Care Regulation.