Licensed Daycare in Arlington, Virginia
40 licensed daycares in Arlington, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Virginia licensing records.
Arlington listings updated May 2026 from official Virginia records.
Daycare in Arlington: what parents should know
Arlington has 40 licensed childcare providers in our directory. 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, 5 centers in Arlington report infant care (roughly 13% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 5 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 5 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Arlington 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.
Combined, Arlington's licensed centers hold about 2,622 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Arlington childcare by the numbers
Childcare costs in Arlington
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 Arlington 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
- 65 kids
Largest licensed centers in Arlington
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Arlington licensed centers
Page 1 of 3Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Arlington, Virginia?
What's the average daycare cost in Arlington?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Arlington daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Arlington?
How do I verify a Arlington daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Arlington
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 Arlington
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Arlington, 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 40 Licensed Centers in Arlington
Free, no signup, verified directly with Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety.