Find a daycare in Tacoma, WA

Find daycares in Tacoma, WA

Find daycares in Tacoma, WA

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Find daycares in Tacoma, WA

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

Top 10 daycares in Tacoma, WA

Parents agree: these Tacoma daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Just Like Home - Lakewood

Just Like Home - Lakewood

18+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Just Like Home Daycare Center, founded in 2008, has multiple locations in and around Lakewood and University Place, Washington. Known for their licensed daycare services, they provide child care and play experiences for groups of children in a nurturing environment. They have programs tailored for various age groups, accommodating up to 60 children at a time. Catering to the needs of the local community, they offer a home-like atmosphere which makes children feel comfortable and secure.
Siham Childcare LLC

Siham Childcare LLC

2+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
License home Daycare! We are located in Auburn/Federal way Zip code 98001 I have 20+ years of experience working with kids. The children learn to respect, care for others, and make friends on the way. The children will always have full alert attention, feel loved, and cared for. We will always be very understanding and flexible when working with parents. - Our staff is CPR/First Aid Certified and has a current Food Handlers Permit. The children in our child care at Siham Childcare home daycare are treated with respect and with every interaction is looked at as an opportunity for learning and growth. - Our hours are Seven days a week from 5a
Willowside Family Childcare

Willowside Family Childcare

5.0(4)
13+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Evaline M. says, "They are flexible with one's timings ,clean home and my baby loves them"This daycare provides a nurturing and safe environment where children feel truly cared ,creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere every day. With engaging activities and a child-centered approach, they support each child’s development while making learning fun. It’s a place parents can trust, knowing their little ones are in capable and loving hands."" Read more
My Little Kingdom Child Care

My Little Kingdom Child Care

12+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
My Little Kingdom Child Care, Learning Center, and Preschool, located in Tacoma, Washington, was founded in 2013. It is a home-based, Christian and bilingual daycare that provides a comfortable, secure, and playful environment for children aged 2 to 12 years. The center emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities and materials, fostering children's growth in a professional, loving, and clean setting. In addition to indoor and outdoor games, arts & crafts, the curriculum includes pre-academic work with letters, numbers, shapes, and colors taught in both English and Spanish.
Altamese Academy Of Angels

Altamese Academy Of Angels

25+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Founded in 1996, Altamese Academy of Angels is a state-licensed early care and learning facility located in Tacoma, WA and the surrounding areas. Catering to children aged 4 weeks to 12 years old, they offer full-time programs that focus on children's social, physical, and emotional development through play-based activities. With the capacity to accommodate 26 kids, Altamese Academy of Angels provides an inclusive environment, offering care to children with disabilities and emphasizing community and family.
My Second Home Bilingual Preschool

My Second Home Bilingual Preschool

7+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Established in 2018, My Second Home Bilingual Preschool serves the Tacoma, WA, and surrounding areas with an in-home daycare service. Emphasizing a bilingual learning experience, the preschool is dedicated to enhancing each kid's abilities and skills. It focuses on teaching social values and good manners, along with another language - Spanish. The preschool provides a comfortable, joyful, and safe environment, preparing children for their next level of learning. It is conveniently located near Cloverdale Park and Boze Elementary.
Dreamydays Family Home Childcare

Dreamydays Family Home Childcare

Online now
7+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
I’m Zahra owner of Dreamy Days Family Home Childcare in Auburn, WA. With over 20 years of experience working with children from infants to school age, I provide a safe, caring, and engaging environment where kids can learn, grow, and feel at home. Families trust me for my patience, dependability, and dedication to each child’s unique needs. Your child’s safety, happiness, and development will always be my top priorities.
Yasmine Home Daycare LLC

Yasmine Home Daycare LLC

Serves Tacoma, WA
Our daycare is open seven days a week, offering personalized 1:1 care for each child. We provide convenient transportation with pick-up and drop-off services, along with free meals and diapers. We proudly accept DSHS state subsidies and private pay options for your convenience.
Ducky Daycare

Ducky Daycare

4+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Ducky Daycare, located in Kent, Washington, is a women-owned and Black-owned business dedicated to providing a loving and nurturing environment for your child. As a licensed home daycare, Ducky Daycare can accommodate up to 6 children, ensuring personalized care and enriching play experiences. Please reach out to inquire about availability and pricing.
Dream Catcher Child Care

Dream Catcher Child Care

10+ years in business
Serves Tacoma, WA
Dream Catcher Child Care, founded in 2015 and based in Federal Way, Washington, is a home-based daycare dedicated to providing a safe, happy, and play-based environment for children. Their approach allows children to grow physically, intellectually, and socially at their own pace. Activities include indoor and outdoor play, arts and crafts, and hands-on projects like gardening. The facility is conveniently located near Brigadoon and Olympic View Elementary schools.

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 Tacoma daycares

Recent success stories from people in the Tacoma area.
Brittany L.
They were very loving. My kids loved going to day school to spend time with her Kiki. Very great with working around schedules. Over all AMAZING WONDERFUL PEOPLE.
Willowside Family childcare
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