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.
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Top 10 daycares in Washington, DC

Parents agree: these Washington daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
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.
Rainbow Child Care VA LLC

Rainbow Child Care VA LLC

11+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Rainbow Child Care VA LLC, based in Fairfax, VA, is a dedicated child care program focused on fostering social and cognitive development in a nurturing home environment. They offer a range of activities including reading, games, dramatic and active play, puzzles, and art. They also boast a facility with an outdoor play area for children to explore. Plus, the convenience of meals being provided adds to their comprehensive service. References are readily available upon request.
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
Blooming Branches Daycare

Blooming Branches Daycare

11+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Blooming Branches Daycare, located in Hyattsville, Maryland, and Greater Landover, is committed to offering high-quality care and education to children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. With their team of experienced, certified educators, they provide excellent care for infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-aged children. The center is not only licensed but also offers additional services like tutoring in math, science, English, and Spanish. Their aim is to prepare children for kindergarten, focusing on their overall development in a professional and caring environment.
Little Angels Daycare

Little Angels Daycare

20+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Little Angels Daycare, founded in 2007, is a licensed child care center in Clinton, Maryland, providing services to children from infancy through 12 years old. With over 30 years of experience, they focus on a play-based program that fosters development, with a significant emphasis on infant care. The center offers a nurturing environment with a variety of activities including reading, music, and free play. Their facility includes an outdoor play space, and they also provide meals and snacks.
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
True Spirit Family Daycare

True Spirit Family Daycare

9+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
True Spirit Family Daycare, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, operates as a home-based childcare provider. We offer a comprehensive bilingual educational program suitable for 0-5 age groups. Our curriculum includes social free-play exercises, bilingual story-time, and academic instruction in age-appropriate settings. We provide learning activities on alphabets, calendars, weather, shapes, colors, and counting. Additional services include provision of breakfast, lunch and snacks. We also have a book and breakfast every other Saturday that will help us to bring together families and foster healthy communication.
Little Miracles Family Childcare

Little Miracles Family Childcare

5.0(1)
13+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Titi T. says, "I cannot say enough wonderful things about Little Miracles Learning Center and Ms. Tonya. From the very first day, she has made my son feel safe, loved, and excited to come to daycare. Her warmth, patience, and genuine care shine through in everything she does. She creates a nurturing environment where the children can learn, grow, and just be themselves. Ms. Tonya keeps me updated on my son’s day, celebrates his milestones with me, and always has a kind word or extra hug ready when he needs it. Knowing he is in her care gives me so much peace of mind. If you’re looking for a provider who treats your child like family, helps them thrive, and truly loves what she does, I highly recommend Ms. Tonya and Little Miracles. We’re so grateful to have found her!" Read more
Isatu Bangura

Isatu Bangura

16+ years in business
Serves Washington, DC
Isatu Bangura, located in Bowie,MD and serving surrounding areas, is a licensed home daycare that offers quality childcare in a group environment. The facility, which accommodates up to 8 children, provides a nurturing and interactive environment for your child. For inquiries regarding prices and availability, feel free to contact Isatu Bangura.
Elder's Childcare Center II

Elder's Childcare Center II

Serves Washington, DC
Welcome to Elder's Childcare Center II, where your child's growth and education are at the forefront. Located in Oxon Hill, MD, we provide a nurturing and safe environment tailored for young learners. Our daycare services are designed to foster social skills, creativity, and a love for learning. At Elder's Childcare Center II, we believe in the power of early childhood education to shape confident and capable individuals. Join us in building a solid foundation for your child's future.

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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