How to Start a Daycare in Washington (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Washington has one of the strongest childcare systems in the country, regulated by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). If you care for more than four unrelated children on a regular basis, you need a DCYF license. The good news: Washington does not charge licensing fees for childcare providers, and DCYF’s Pre-Licensing Support team offers personalized guidance through the entire process. Combined with no state income tax and strong demand for quality childcare (especially in the Seattle-Tacoma metro), Washington is a solid market for daycare businesses.

Daycare Requirements in Washington at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Secretary of State	$200	7-10 business days
DCYF Childcare License	DCYF	Free (no licensing fee)	3-6 months (application + inspection)
Background Checks (MERIT)	DCYF via MERIT system	Varies (fingerprinting fees)	Must complete before working with children
First Aid/CPR Certification	Approved provider	$50-$100	Before licensing
STARS Training (30 hours initial)	DCYF/approved provider	Varies (many free options)	Before or during licensing
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	L&I (state fund)	Varies by classification	Before hiring employees
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	$800-$2,500/year	Before opening
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

How to Start a Daycare in Washington (Step by Step)

Step 1: Contact DCYF Pre-Licensing Support

Start by contacting DCYF’s Pre-Licensing Support team at dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov or call 1-800-723-4831. They provide personalized support to guide you through the licensing process. This is a free service and the recommended first step before investing in equipment or facilities.

Step 2: Choose Your License Type

DCYF issues three types of childcare licenses:

Family Home – Care for up to 12 children ages 0-11 in your own home. Capacity depends on experience (6 children with less than 1 year experience, up to 12 with 2+ years and an assistant).
Child Care Center – Regularly scheduled care for children ages 0-12 in a commercial facility. No capacity limit based on space and staff ratios.
School-Age Program – Care for children ages 5-12 during non-school hours.

Step 3: Complete Background Checks via MERIT

All staff, household members (for home-based care), and regular volunteers must pass fingerprint-based background checks through DCYF’s Managed Education and Registry Information Tool (MERIT). Background checks include:

FBI fingerprint-based national criminal history check
Washington State Patrol criminal history
Sex offender registry check
Child abuse/neglect registry check

Background checks through MERIT are portable and valid for five years. All applicants must complete checks before working with children.

Step 4: Complete Required Training

STARS Basic Training: 30 hours of initial training covering child development, health and safety, and program management
Pediatric First Aid & CPR: Current certification required before licensing
Food safety training: Required for anyone preparing food for children
Ongoing training: 10 hours annually of continuing education through STARS

Many training options are available free of charge through DCYF-sponsored programs.

Step 5: Prepare Your Facility

DCYF will inspect your facility before granting a license. Requirements include:

Indoor space: Minimum 35 square feet per child (centers)
Outdoor space: Minimum 75 square feet per child, fenced and age-appropriate
Safety: Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, childproofing, emergency exits
Bathroom facilities: Accessible and appropriately sized
Kitchen/food prep area: Meets health department standards

Step 6: Staff-to-Child Ratios

Family Home ratios:

Less than 1 year experience: up to 6 children
1-2 years experience: up to 8 children
2+ years experience: up to 10-12 children (with assistant)
No more than 3 children under age 2 per adult

Child Care Center ratios:

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio
Infants (birth to 11 months)	1:4
Toddlers (12-29 months)	1:7
Preschoolers (30 months to 5 years)	1:10
School-age (5+ years)	1:15

Step 7: Get Insurance and Business Registration

Form your LLC ($200), get your UBI number from DOR, and obtain childcare liability insurance ($800-$2,500/year). Workers’ compensation through L&I is mandatory for any employees.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Washington

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Certificate of Formation	$200	One-time SOS filing fee
DCYF License	Free	No licensing fee charged
Background Checks (per person)	$30-$75	Fingerprinting fees; valid 5 years
First Aid/CPR Certification	$50-$100	Per person, renew every 2 years
STARS Training	Free-$300	30 hours initial; many free options
Childcare liability insurance	$800-$2,500/year	Higher coverage for centers
Facility setup (center)	$5,000-$30,000+	Equipment, furniture, safety items
Facility setup (home)	$1,000-$5,000	Childproofing, equipment, outdoor
Annual Report (LLC)	$70/year	Due annually

Estimated total startup cost: $2,350-$8,250 (family home) or $6,350-$33,250+ (center)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to run a daycare in Washington?

Yes. If you care for more than four unrelated children on a regular basis, you must have a license from DCYF. The license itself is free – DCYF does not charge licensing fees for childcare providers.

How much does a daycare license cost in Washington?

The DCYF childcare license is free. Other costs include background check fingerprinting ($30-$75 per person), first aid/CPR certification ($50-$100), and training. DCYF offers many free training options.

What background checks are required for daycare staff in Washington?

All staff, household members, and regular volunteers must pass fingerprint-based background checks through DCYF’s MERIT system. This includes FBI national checks, state criminal history, sex offender registry, and child abuse/neglect registry. Checks are valid for five years.

What are the staff-to-child ratios in Washington?

For centers: infants 1:4, toddlers 1:7, preschoolers 1:10, school-age 1:15. For family homes, capacity depends on experience level and ranges from 6 to 12 children.

Do I need workers’ compensation for daycare employees in Washington?

Yes. Workers’ comp through L&I is mandatory for all employers with one or more employees. Washington uses a monopolistic state fund.

How much does it cost to start a daycare in Washington?

A family home daycare can start for around $2,350-$8,250. A childcare center typically costs $6,350-$33,250+ depending on facility size and equipment needs. The DCYF license itself is free.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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