Finding Childcare

There are many types of child care ranging from large child care centers to small family-like settings. It is important that you choose the option that works best for your family and meets your child’s needs.

Washington State licenses or certifies two types of child day care:

• Child care centers (including most school-age programs),and
• Family child care homes.

There are some types of care that do not require a license in the State of Washington:

• Preschools
• Care given by a family member
• Nanny Care (care in the child’s home)
• School-age programs run by a public school

Find Child Care

Use the Washington State Child Care Resource to find a child care provider in your area or read about what to look for in a child care provider.  Learn more on the Child Care Aware of Washington website.

If you live in King County, you may also visit Child Care Resources.

Need help paying for childcare?

Washington State has a program called Working Connections Child Care that helps low-income families pay for childcare so parents can work, look for a job, or enroll in a job training program. There are also child care assistance programs in the cities of Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and Kent. Learn more about these programs and Working Connections Child Care.