Licensed Daycare in Alexandria, Virginia
32 licensed daycares in Alexandria, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Virginia licensing records.
Alexandria listings updated May 2026 from official Virginia records.
Daycare in Alexandria: what parents should know
Our directory lists 32 licensed childcare providers in Alexandria, Virginia. Every provider here holds a current Virginia license at indexing time, sourced from Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety.
For age coverage, 4 centers in Alexandria report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 4 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 4 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Alexandria 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, Alexandria providers are approved for approximately 1,753 child slots — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Alexandria childcare by the numbers
The Alexandria childcare landscape
Alexandria sits in high-cost Northern Virginia, but Virginia has reshaped its early-childhood system in recent years — moving licensing to the education department and rolling out a single statewide quality measure — and the city schools run a free preschool program for eligible children.
Free and public pre-K
Virginia funds the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), free preschool for eligible at-risk 3- and 4-year-olds, delivered through Alexandria City Public Schools. Federal Head Start serves income-eligible infants and preschoolers across the city and broader Northern Virginia.
Subsidies and quality (VQB5)
Virginia's Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible working families and is accessed through the local Department of Community and Human Services. Virginia now measures quality through VQB5, a single statewide system for publicly funded classrooms — ask whether a provider participates.
How licensing works
Virginia moved child-care licensing to the Department of Education, shifting emphasis toward school readiness. Licensing status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is licensed and in good standing before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Northern Virginia is expensive — full-time infant care in Alexandria commonly runs $1,800–$2,400/month. Old Town and Del Ray are premium and family-dense; the West End and nearby Arlington and Fairfax add capacity and are routinely searched together given the region's commute patterns.
When to start looking
VPI and Head Start enroll ahead of the fall — apply in spring. For infant care, Alexandria rooms carry long waitlists, so tour and list early, and check whether your employer offers any childcare benefit.
Childcare costs in Alexandria
ChildCare Aware reports the Virginia average full-time cost at $1,180/month for infant care and $880/month for preschool. City-level prices in Alexandria 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. Virginia families may also qualify for Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program (intake: (866) 873-6515).
Full Virginia licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 54 kids
Largest licensed centers in Alexandria
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Alexandria licensed centers
Page 3 of 3Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Parent-asked basics on licensing, ratios, and waitlist timing for this area.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Alexandria, Virginia?
What's the average daycare cost in Alexandria?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Alexandria daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Alexandria?
How do I verify a Alexandria daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Alexandria
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 programVirginia Child Care Subsidy Program can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(866) 873-6515 · 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 Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Alexandria
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Alexandria, Virginia are compiled from official Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety 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 32 Licensed Centers in Alexandria
Free, no signup, verified directly with Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety.