Last updated: April 30, 2026

How to Start a Daycare in Washington State (2026)

Washington’s child care licensing structure has changed significantly since 2018. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) replaced the former Department of Early Learning (DEL) on July 1, 2018, consolidating early learning, child welfare, and juvenile justice under one agency. All licensing now happens under Chapter 110-300 WAC, a foundational rule set that took effect in August 2019 and continues to evolve. If you’re reading older state-by-state daycare guides referencing “DEL” or pre-2019 rules, those are out of date.

Three Washington-specific pieces of context shape the daycare opportunity. First, the Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) requires that ECEAP services (Washington’s state-funded pre-K) be available to all eligible children by July 2026, dramatically expanding state pre-K reimbursement to participating sites. Second, family home capacity rules changed April 1, 2025 to allow up to 16 children with a DCYF waiver (up from the prior 12-child cap), though pre-existing waivers above 16 are being reduced to 16 by June 30, 2026. Third, every program is enrolled in Early Achievers (Washington’s 5-level QRIS), and reaching Level 3+ within 30 months is a hard requirement to keep accepting Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy payments – which is the dominant revenue stream for many WA centers serving working families.

Washington Daycare Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
DCYF Family Home Child Care License (1-12 children, up to 16 with waiver)	DCYF (WAC 110-300)	$58-$80 initial + $30/year	90-180 days
DCYF Child Care Center License (13+ children)	DCYF (WAC 110-300)	$125/year first 12 children + $12/year per additional child	90-180 days
MERIT registration + STARS ID	DCYF MERIT system	Free	Required for all owners, staff, volunteers, household 16+
WSP + FBI fingerprint background check	DCYF (via MERIT)	Fingerprint fees ~$50-$70	Reprint every 5 years per CCDBG
Early Achievers Level 3+ for subsidy eligibility	DCYF Early Achievers	Free participation; coaching included	Within 30 months of enrollment
UBI / Business License Application	DOR Business Licensing Service	$90 + city endorsements	~10 business days
LLC Certificate of Formation	WA Secretary of State	$200 online + $70 annual report	Same-day online
Workers’ Comp (monopolistic state fund)	L&I	Risk class 6404 daycare typical	Before first W-2 employee
PFML / WA Cares / UI / Min wage	ESD / WA Cares Fund	1.13% PFML + 0.58% WA Cares + UI on $78,200 + $17.13 (state) or $21.30 (Seattle) min wage	From first employee
Fire marshal & building inspections	Local fire authority + city building dept	Varies	Required before licensing

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

Step 1: Choose Your License Type

Washington recognizes two licensed early-learning program types under DCYF:

• Family Home Child Care – the provider lives in the residence and cares for up to 12 children from birth through age 13. As of April 1, 2025, family home providers can request a capacity waiver to care for up to 16 children. Pre-2025 waivers allowing more than 16 must reduce to 16 or fewer by June 30, 2026. Family homes must meet WAC 110-300 family home rules including residential safety standards, fenced outdoor play space, and the provider’s own home being subject to inspection.
• Child Care Center – care provided in a non-residential building or facility for groups of children from birth through 13, less than 24 hours per day. No statewide max group size in some categories, but staff:child ratios under WAC 110-300-0356 effectively cap how many children per classroom.

Most operators starting fresh with capital choose the center model in dense metros (Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Spokane). Family home is more common in suburban and rural areas where one operator runs care from their own home.

Step 2: Set Up Your Business Entity and UBI

File a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State CCFS portal: $200 online or $180 paper. $70 annual report under RCW 23.95.255. Get a free EIN. File the DOR Business License Application ($90) for your UBI. Add city endorsements as needed (Seattle adds the Seattle Business License Tax Certificate; Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, and Vancouver have similar local endorsements).

Step 3: Register Everyone in MERIT and Complete Background Checks

The MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) is DCYF’s online portal for licensing, professional development tracking, and background-check submission. Every person connected to a licensed program must register and obtain a STARS ID:

• Owner / licensee
• Director and assistant director
• Lead teachers and assistant teachers
• Substitute caregivers
• Volunteers with unsupervised access to children
• Household members age 16 or older (family home only)

Background checks are submitted through MERIT and require fingerprint-based clearance through Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the FBI via L-1 Identity Solutions or other DCYF-approved fingerprint vendors. Fingerprint cost runs roughly $50-$70 per person. Clearances are portable across Washington licensed early learning settings and must be reprinted every 5 years per the federal CCDBG Act.

Items disqualifying from licensure include violent felony convictions, certain misdemeanors involving child welfare, and findings of child abuse or neglect on the WSP Child Abuse Conviction database.

Step 4: Apply for Your DCYF License

Submit the licensing application through MERIT. The DCYF Welcome Team (dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov) supports new applicants. The application package includes:

• Floor plan with rooms designated for activity, sleep, eat, diaper, and bathroom
• Outdoor play space dimensions and fencing details
• Emergency preparedness plan (fire, earthquake, lockdown)
• Health policy and medication administration plan
• Operations manual and parent handbook
• Fire marshal sign-off and city building/zoning sign-off
• Background check clearances for all required individuals

A DCYF licensor visits the site for a pre-licensing inspection. Common deficiencies that delay licensure: insufficient outdoor space, missing fire-safety equipment, inadequate sleeping arrangements (especially for infants – separate sleeping area required), missing medication-administration training, and unsigned background-check forms. Plan for 90-180 days from initial application to license issued.

Step 5: Meet WAC 110-300-0356 Staff Ratios and Group Sizes

The biggest operational constraint is staff:child ratio. Center rules under WAC 110-300-0356:

Age Group	Standard Ratio	Max Group Size	Alternative Tighter Ratio
Infants (0-11 months)	1:4	8	1:3 (max group 9)
Toddlers (12-29 months)	1:7	14	1:5 (max group 15)
Preschoolers (30 months-6 yrs not in school)	1:10	20	n/a
School-age (5-12 in K-elementary)	1:15	30	n/a

For mixed-age groupings, the youngest child’s ratio governs. Floor area minimums under WAC 110-300 require sufficient activity, eating, and sleeping space – violation of square footage per child is the second-most common pre-licensing deficiency. Outdoor play space minimums also apply.

Step 6: Enroll in Early Achievers (5-Level QRIS)

Early Achievers is Washington’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Every newly licensed program starts at Level 1. You earn points across program domains (curriculum, child outcomes, family engagement, professional development, environment) on a 3-year Quality Recognition Cycle and progress through Levels 2 through 5.

• Level 3 within 30 months – the hard requirement to keep accepting Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy. Most subsidy revenue requires Level 3+.
• Level 4+ – “At Quality” for ECEAP. Required to receive ECEAP slot funding.
• Level 5 – top tier; tiered reimbursement bonuses.

Early Achievers participation includes free coaching, professional development support, and tools to build your quality improvement plan. Programs that don’t reach Level 3 within 30 months risk losing subsidy contract eligibility – which can be financially fatal in subsidy-heavy markets.

Step 7: Working Connections Child Care, ECEAP, and Other Funding

Three state and federal funding streams drive most WA center revenue:

• Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) – Washington’s CCDF subsidy for low-income working families. Daily and monthly reimbursement rates vary by region and age. Early Achievers Level 3+ required.
• ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) – Washington’s state-funded pre-K for income-eligible 3-5 year olds. Per the Fair Start for Kids Act, ECEAP must be available for all eligible children by July 2026 – dramatic expansion in process. Level 4+ required.
• Head Start (federal) – federal pre-K funding for low-income families; some WA programs are dual ECEAP/Head Start.
• Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) – Seattle’s city-funded preschool for 3-4 year olds in licensed sites that meet program standards. Separate from ECEAP. Tuition-subsidy hybrid.

Step 8: WA Payroll Stack, Workers’ Comp, and Local Minimums

Payroll for child care is one of Washington’s heaviest cost centers because of staff ratios. Plan for the full WA stack:

• State minimum wage 2026: $17.13 (or $21.30 in Seattle, with locals SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien, and unincorporated King County also above state)
• UI through ESD: $78,200 taxable wage base; new employer ~1.0% (varies by industry rating)
• PFML: 1.13% in 2026; employer share ~28.57% if 50+ employees
• WA Cares: 0.58% withheld from employee wages (no employer share)
• Workers’ comp: Through L&I monopolistic state fund. Risk class 6404 (Day Nursery / Day Care) typical for centers; family homes may fall under different classes. Per-hour rate varies by experience rating.

The Seattle Office of Labor Standards Paid Sick & Safe Time and Secure Scheduling ordinances may apply to daycare employees in Seattle in addition to state Paid Sick Leave (1 hour earned per 40 worked).

Washington Daycare Market: Demand and Subsidy Coverage

Washington’s child care market is structurally undersupplied in most metros. Three demand drivers:

1. Tech employer family services demand: Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, T-Mobile, Boeing, and Costco all offer child care subsidy or backup care benefits. Eastside (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish) waitlists run 12-24+ months for infant care. Premium pricing is common.
2. WCCC subsidy reimbursement: Washington’s per-child subsidy rates are among the higher tiers nationally and recently increased. Subsidy-dependent operators in Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities, and rural areas can build viable businesses on subsidy revenue alone if they reach Early Achievers Level 3+.
3. Fair Start for Kids Act ECEAP expansion: Through July 2026, the state is funding ECEAP slots for all income-eligible families. Centers that achieve Level 4+ and partner with ECEAP gain a stable funding base for 3-5 year-old slots.

Pricing varies dramatically by region: full-time infant care in Seattle/Eastside often runs $2,500-$3,200/month; in Spokane $1,200-$1,800/month; in Tri-Cities or Yakima $900-$1,400/month. Family home care typically prices 20-30% below center care.

Cost to Start a Daycare in Washington

Item	Family Home (1-12 children)	Center (40-child capacity)
DCYF License + initial fees	$58-$80 + $30/yr	~$125 + $12/each above 12
LLC + UBI + EIN	$290	$290
MERIT background checks	$50-$70/person	$50-$70/person
Lease build-out + fire/safety upgrades	$1,000-$5,000 (residence retrofit)	$50,000-$250,000+
Equipment, furniture, learning materials	$2,000-$8,000	$25,000-$80,000
Outdoor play space (fence + equipment)	$2,000-$8,000	$15,000-$50,000
Insurance (general liability + property)	$1,500-$3,000/yr	$5,000-$15,000/yr
L&I workers’ comp (per FTE)	n/a if owner-only	$1,500-$3,500/yr per FTE
First-year out-of-pocket	~$8,000-$25,000	~$120,000-$400,000+

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a family home and center child care license in Washington?

A Family Home Child Care is operated in the provider’s own residence and traditionally caps at 12 children, though as of April 1, 2025 providers can request a DCYF capacity waiver to care for up to 16. Pre-2025 waivers exceeding 16 must reduce to 16 or fewer by June 30, 2026. A Child Care Center is in a non-residential building serving groups of children less than 24 hours per day; there’s no statewide max group size cap, but staff:child ratios under WAC 110-300-0356 effectively cap classroom size.

What are the staff-to-child ratios for Washington daycare?

Per WAC 110-300-0356: Infants (0-11 months) 1:4 with max group 8 (or 1:3 with max 9). Toddlers (12-29 months) 1:7 with max group 14 (or 1:5 with max 15). Preschoolers (30 months-6 yrs not in school) 1:10 with max group 20. School-age (5-12 in K-elementary) 1:15 with max group 30. For mixed-age groupings, the youngest child’s ratio governs.

What is MERIT and who needs to register?

MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) is DCYF’s online portal for license applications, professional development tracking, and background-check submissions. Every owner, director, lead and assistant teacher, substitute, volunteer with unsupervised access to children, and household member 16+ (for family homes) must register and obtain a STARS ID. Background checks are submitted through MERIT and require fingerprint-based WSP and FBI clearance, reprinted every 5 years per the federal CCDBG Act.

How long does it take to get a Washington daycare license?

Plan for 90-180 days from initial DCYF application through licensed and operating. The timeline includes MERIT registration, background-check clearance for everyone connected to the program, fire marshal sign-off, city zoning/building approval, the DCYF licensor’s pre-licensing visit, and any deficiency corrections. Common delays come from incomplete background checks, insufficient outdoor play space, and missing fire-safety documentation.

What is Early Achievers and is it required?

Early Achievers is Washington’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Every licensed program is enrolled and starts at Level 1, with progression to Levels 2-5 over a 3-year Quality Recognition Cycle. Reaching Level 3 within 30 months is required to continue accepting Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy payments. Level 4+ qualifies you for ECEAP funding. Programs that don’t reach Level 3 within 30 months lose subsidy eligibility, which can be financially fatal in subsidy-heavy markets.

What is Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)?

WCCC is Washington’s Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy program for low-income working families. The state pays a per-child daily/monthly reimbursement to licensed providers caring for eligible children. Reimbursement rates vary by region and age. Provider must be Early Achievers Level 3+ (within 30 months of enrollment) to remain eligible. WCCC is the dominant revenue stream for many WA centers serving working-family demographics.

What is ECEAP and the Fair Start for Kids Act?

ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) is Washington’s state-funded pre-K for income-eligible 3-5 year olds. The Fair Start for Kids Act (FSKA) requires that ECEAP services be available for all eligible children by July 2026, expanding state pre-K reimbursement to participating sites. To accept ECEAP slot funding, you must achieve Early Achievers Level 4+. Some WA centers operate as dual ECEAP/Head Start sites.