Licensed Daycare in Seattle, Washington
677 licensed daycares in Seattle, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Washington licensing records.
Seattle listings updated May 2026 from official Washington records.
Daycare in Seattle: what parents should know
There are 677 licensed childcare providers on record in Seattle, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 39% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Washington license at indexing time, sourced from Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
Licensed care in Seattle spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute.
Combined, Seattle's licensed centers hold about 49,897 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Seattle childcare by the numbers
The Seattle childcare landscape
Seattle has one of the most generous local early-learning systems in the country — and one of the most expensive private markets. Licensing runs through the Washington Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), but the city itself funds preschool directly, which changes the math for a lot of families.
The Seattle Preschool Program (and ECEAP)
The city-run Seattle Preschool Program (SPP), managed by the Department of Education & Early Learning and paid for by the FEPP Levy, offers free or sliding-scale preschool to Seattle 3- and 4-year-olds — income is not an automatic barrier, which is unusual. Statewide, income-eligible families can also access ECEAP (Washington's free state preschool) and Head Start. Between SPP and ECEAP, many Seattle families pay little or nothing for the preschool years even if infant/toddler care was costly.
Subsidies and quality ratings
The state subsidy is Working Connections Child Care (WCCC), which covers a large share of cost for eligible working families and has expanded its income limits in recent years. When you compare providers, check each one's Early Achievers rating — Washington's quality-rating system — alongside any NAEYC accreditation.
Where the options are
Licensed care clusters in North Seattle, Ballard, Fremont/Wallingford, Capitol Hill, and West Seattle, with cooperative preschools a notable Seattle tradition. The Eastside (Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland) is a separate market many Seattle families also consider given commute patterns across the lake.
What it actually costs
Seattle/King County is among the priciest markets in the US. Full-time infant care commonly runs $1,800–$2,600/month at centers; toddler and preschool care is lower but still high by national standards. This is exactly why the SPP/ECEAP preschool subsidies matter so much here — they offset the most expensive years.
When to start looking
Infant supply is genuinely tight. Seattle waitlists of 6–12 months for infant rooms are common, so families routinely apply during pregnancy. SPP and ECEAP have set application windows (typically opening in late winter/spring) — mark them, because slots are allocated, not first-come walk-in.
Childcare costs in Seattle
ChildCare Aware reports the Washington average full-time cost at $1,480/month for infant care and $1,100/month for preschool. City-level prices in Seattle 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. Washington families may also qualify for Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) (intake: (877) 501-2233).
Full Washington licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:7
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg capacity
- 73 kids
Program types in Seattle
Largest licensed centers in Seattle
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Seattle licensed centers
Page 2 of 46Tap 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 Seattle, Washington?
What's the average daycare cost in Seattle?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Seattle daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Seattle?
How do I verify a Seattle daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Seattle
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 programWorking Connections Child Care (WCCC) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(877) 501-2233 · 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 Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
Official license searchChildcare resources for Seattle
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Seattle, Washington are compiled from official Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) 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 677 Licensed Centers in Seattle
Free, no signup, verified directly with Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).