Licensed Daycare in Maine
Find the right daycare in Maine in under 5 minutes. 754 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services. Free, no signup.
Listings updated May 2026 from official Maine licensing records.
Maine childcare by the numbers
Maine Childcare Licensing
In Maine, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:5 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
What's distinctive about Maine: Maine has scarce licensed daycare outside Portland and Bangor — rural families often rely on family child care homes or family-cooperative arrangements. CCSP serves families up to 85% state median.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,230/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $940/mo
Maine Daycare Costs by Age (2026)
Infant care in Maine runs about $14,760/year. Family daycare homes typically cost 10–30% less than centers; Head Start is free for income-eligible families. Toddler & school-age figures are estimates derived from Maine center averages.
Estimate your exact costHow to Get Childcare Help in Maine
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Check eligibility for Maine Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP). Most Maine families earning up to ~85% of state median income qualify for childcare subsidy assistance.
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Apply early — waitlists are common. Quality infant programs in Maine often have 3–12 month waitlists. Start during pregnancy if you can. Intake line: (207) 624-7999.
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Stack federal help. The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit (20–35% of up to $6,000) and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 pre-tax) apply regardless of state subsidy.
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Verify the license before you sign. Confirm current status in the Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services database and tour during operating hours.
Maine Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Maine families can apply for Maine Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (207) 624-7999
Official Maine & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Daycare in Maine — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Maine is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Maine?
How much does daycare cost in Maine?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Maine?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Maine daycare?
Where to get childcare help in Maine
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 programMaine Child Care Subsidy Program (CCSP) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(207) 624-7999 · 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 Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services.
Official license searchHow this data is sourced. Listings for Maine are compiled from official Maine DHHS — Office of Child and Family Services 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 754 Licensed Maine Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.