Licensed child care in Washington
How child care licensing works in Washington, where to verify a license and the cities we cover with the state's official data.
Who licenses child care
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
The Washington data covers licensed child care centers and school-age programs only, and lists few phone numbers. Early Achievers quality levels are shown where published.
DCYF Child Care CheckLicense types in the data
| Type (as named by the state) | Programs |
|---|---|
| Child Care Center | 1,825 |
| School-Age Program | 627 |
| Outdoor Nature Based Program | 29 |
Source: DCYF Licensed Childcare Center and School Age Program, data.wa.gov, data of October 5, 2026.
Washington cities
Help paying
Working Connections Child Care, DCYF. See child care assistance by state and daycare costs.
Questions
Who licenses child care in Washington?
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Its official search is "DCYF Child Care Check".
How many licensed child care programs are in Washington?
The state data we use (October 5, 2026) lists 2,481 centers and programs and 0 family child care homes with an active license.
Is there help paying for child care in Washington?
Yes. The main program is Working Connections Child Care, DCYF. Eligibility depends on income, family size and work or school hours.