Find a daycare in Washington, DC

Find daycares in Washington, DC

Find daycares in Washington, DC

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Find daycares in Washington, DC

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
Zip code

Top 10 daycares in Washington, DC

Parents agree: these Washington daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
My First Step

My First Step

8+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
My First Step, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is a home-based childcare provider that emphasizes a play-based curriculum to foster early learning. The daycare nurtures children's development through motor skills exercises, social interactions, and group activities in literacy, math, and science. The facility also provides children with access to a fenced yard for supervised outdoor play, promoting a balanced and active lifestyle.
Adventureland Day Nursery

Adventureland Day Nursery

39+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Adventureland Day Nursery II, located in Washington, DC and surrounding areas, offers a comprehensive childcare program for children of all ages. Notably situated in the Petworth neighborhood, the nursery provides a plethora of age-appropriate activities, including Spanish lessons. Children can also enjoy an outdoor play area. Adventureland Day Nursery II caters to parents' needs, offering before and after school care with transportation. Meals are an added convenience, ensuring children's nutrition is well-taken care of.
Elefantitos Preschool, LLC

Elefantitos Preschool, LLC

4+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Please CONTACT via our Website https://www.elefantitospreschool.com/ -Elefantitos Preschool, founded in 2021 and located in North Bethesda/Rockville, Maryland, is a student-centered early learning facility. They believe every child is unique and hence foster a caring, stimulating, and multicultural environment for holistic intellectual, social, physical, and emotional growth. The preschool, under the guidance of Samantha, a seasoned preschool teacher and director, is committed to promoting self-discovery and exploration in children. Elefantitos Preschool is a diverse, inclusive, and respectful institution, reflecting Samantha's love and passi
Birds Nest Daycare

Birds Nest Daycare

Serves Washington, DC
Birds Nest Daycare, located in Vienna, Virginia, serves infants through preschool-aged children in the surrounding areas. As a home-based daycare provider, they offer a variety of hands-on learning activities such as storytime, arts and crafts, music, block building, and pretend play. Their goal is to improve both fine and gross motor skills of children. The daily routine includes both indoor and outdoor play. Parents are kept informed with daily reports.
St. Charles Preschool

St. Charles Preschool

21+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
St. Charles Early Preschool is a leading Catholic preschool in Arlington, VA. It started as an elementary school in 1909 and transitioned into an Early Childhood Center in 2014. The center offers a play-based program in a Christ-centered environment. The curriculum is fun, creative, and engaging, supporting hands-on learning in a screen time-free setting. The center also offers before and after school care, junior kindergarten, and summer camp for children.
First Steps Early Learning Center

First Steps Early Learning Center

5.0Exceptional(8)
21+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Ko E. says, "Miss Alexis is so wonderful. My son loved her for the first three years of his life with daycare. I will recommend her to anybody. She’s punctuation for professional. She treats the kids as if they were her own very safe house very clean is very very professional woman. I love Mr. Alexis. I still call her til this day. My son has learned so much" Read more
Melania Portillo

Melania Portillo

2012+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Melania Portillo is a licensed home daycare situated in Bowie, MD, and caters to the surrounding areas. With the capacity to accommodate up to 8 children, this daycare provides quality child care services in a group environment. For further questions regarding availability and pricing, please reach out to Melania Portillo.
Medinat Lawal

Medinat Lawal

10+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Medinat Lawal, located in Upper Marlboro, MD and serving the surrounding areas, is a highly reputable licensed home daycare. They offer premier child care services in a group environment, accommodating up to 7 children. With a keen focus on creating a nurturing and engaging environment, Medinat Lawal is the go-to resource for your child's care and development needs. For pricing and availability, potential clients are encouraged to reach out to Medinat Lawal directly.
Mum Mum's And Babies

Mum Mum's And Babies

17+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Welcome to Mum Mum's and Babies, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Situated in the heart of Bethesda, MD, our boutique daycare offers a nurturing and personalized environment with a small team of dedicated caregivers. We focus on creating a safe and stimulating space where your little ones can explore, learn, and thrive. At Mum Mum's and Babies, we are committed to providing exceptional childcare that fosters each child's unique development journey. Join our family and experience the difference a caring touch can make.
Little Lamb Daycare

Little Lamb Daycare

Serves Washington, DC
Little Lamb Daycare, located in Beltsville, Maryland, provides licensed care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children in a nurturing home environment. The daycare is conveniently located near Vansville Elementary School and operates from 8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. The curriculum at Little Lamb Daycare is play-based and supports all developmental domains, including Spanish, Baby Sign Language, Music & Movement, Nature studies, and Yoga. They are actively enrolling children aged 2-5 years old.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

Reviews for Washington daycares

Recent success stories from people in the Washington area.
Ko E.
Alexis is wonderful. She’s so punctual and professional. My son loves her so much. He started identifying his shapes and letters before he was going to school with her as such add first rate, she is so wonderful. She was so loving I would recommend her to anybody.
First Steps Early Learning Center
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