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Childcare Provider — CC
Total cost: $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity
Governing Authority
Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Child Care Licensing (WAC Title 110)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Yes
License Required
20 hours (STARS)
Pre-Service Training
1:4
Infant Ratio
Required
Fingerprinting
Annual
Renewal Period
$58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity
Initial Fees
Washington offers Family Home Child Care, Child Care Center. Family home: Up to 12 children. Center-based: 13 or more children. Your facility must meet state health, safety, and zoning standards before applying.
Washington requires staff-to-child ratios of infants 1:4, toddlers 1:7, preschoolers 1:10 (max group size of 20) for preschoolers (30 months through 6 years, not yet in kindergarten/elementary). Staff must be at least 18 years. Director qualifications: ECE State Certificate or higher; 2+ years of experience; School-Age credential for school-age programs
All staff must pass state criminal, federal criminal, child abuse registry, sex offender registry background checks. Fingerprinting is required. Washington requires comprehensive background checks for all childcare providers, staff, and household members (for home-based care). This includes state and federal criminal history checks via fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Results must be obtained before unsupervised contact with children.
Complete 20 hours (STARS) pre-service training hours. 10 hours (STARS) of annual continuing education required. CPR and First Aid certification required. Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required prior to or within 90 days of employment; must be maintained current ECE State Certificate or higher for directors; staff need DCYF-approved training through MERIT
Submit your completed application to the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Child Care Licensing (WAC Title 110). Total initial licensing fees: $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity. Include all required documentation, training certificates, and background check results.
A pre-licensing inspection of your facility is required before approval. Unannounced inspections may occur after licensing. Pre-licensing inspection; annual monitoring visits; unannounced inspections; complaint investigations
Renew your license annual. Complete 10 hours (STARS) of continuing education. Renewal inspections are required.
Family Home License
$30
Washington family child care home initial license fee
Center License
$125-$300
Washington child care center initial license fee (varies by capacity)
Background Check
$28-$50
Per-person fingerprinting and background check fee
Renewal Fee
$30-$150
Washington license renewal fee range (varies by license type and capacity)
Total varies significantly by license type, capacity, and number of staff requiring background checks
Washington childcare license types and capacity limits
VerifiedLicense Types
Family Home Capacity
Up to 12 children
Center-Based Capacity
13 or more children
Exemptions from Licensing
Exemptions defined under RCW 43.216.010(2) and WAC 110-300-0025, including care by relatives, care for children from a single unrelated family (fewer than 13), and tribally operated programs
All states require licensing for childcare centers and most require licensing or registration for family childcare homes above certain capacity thresholds. Exemptions typically apply to relatives, small-scale care arrangements, and certain religious programs. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.
Not sure if you need a childcare license? Check whether your state requires one.
Pre-service, annual training, and certifications
VerifiedPre-Service Training
20 hours (STARS)
Annual Training Hours
10 hours (STARS)
CPR / First Aid
Required
Health & Safety Training
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required prior to or within 90 days of employment; must be maintained current
CDA / Education Requirements
ECE State Certificate or higher for directors; staff need DCYF-approved training through MERIT
Training requirements vary by state and license type. Pre-service training must typically be completed before a provider begins caring for children. Annual training (continuing education) must be maintained throughout licensure. CPR and First Aid certification (pediatric) is universally required. The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states.
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Required background checks for childcare providers and staff
VerifiedState Criminal Check
Required
Federal Criminal Check (FBI)
Required
Fingerprinting
Required
Child Abuse Registry
Required
Sex Offender Registry
Required
Details
Washington requires comprehensive background checks for all childcare providers, staff, and household members (for home-based care). This includes state and federal criminal history checks via fingerprinting, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sex offender registry checks. Results must be obtained before unsupervised contact with children.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act requires all states to conduct comprehensive background checks on childcare providers. This includes FBI fingerprint checks, state criminal history checks, national and state sex offender registry checks, and child abuse and neglect registry checks. Background checks must be completed before a provider has unsupervised access to children.
Required staff-to-child ratios by age group
Verified1:4
Infant (0-12 mo)
1:7
Toddler (12-24 mo)
1:10 (max group size of 20) for preschoolers (30 months through 6 years, not yet in kindergarten/elementary)
Preschool (3-5 yr)
1:15 per WAC 110-300-0356(5)(d)
School-Age (6+ yr)
Minimum Staff Age
18 years
Director Qualifications
ECE State Certificate or higher; 2+ years of experience; School-Age credential for school-age programs
Staff-to-child ratios represent the maximum number of children that can be supervised by one qualified adult. Lower ratios (e.g., 1:3) indicate more intensive supervision. Ratios are typically stricter for younger children. These ratios apply to child care centers; family child care homes may have different overall capacity limits.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Family Home License Fee Washington family child care home initial license fee | $30 |
Center License Fee Washington child care center initial license fee (varies by capacity) | $125-$300 |
Background Check Fee Per-person fingerprinting and background check fee | $28-$50 |
Total Initial Fees Total varies significantly by license type, capacity, and number of staff requiring background checks | $58-$80 (family home); center fees vary by capacity |
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Renewal Requirements & Continuing Education
VerifiedAnnual
Renewal Period
10 hours (STARS)
Annual CE Hours
Required
Inspection at Renewal
Renewal Fee
$30-$150
Washington license renewal fee range (varies by license type and capacity)
Regulatory Board
Childcare licenses must be renewed on the schedule set by your state. Renewal typically requires completion of continuing education hours, updated background checks for new staff, maintained CPR/First Aid certifications, and passing a renewal inspection. Failure to renew on time may result in license lapse and inability to operate legally.
Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families was created in 2018 to consolidate child welfare and early learning. The state's QRIS is called 'Early Achievers.' Family home child care providers can care for up to 12 children — one of the more generous limits.
All childcare providers in Washington must comply with state licensing requirements administered by Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Child Care Licensing.
All states participate in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), a federal block grant that helps low-income families access childcare.
NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation is voluntary and recognized nationally as a mark of high quality.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is nationally recognized and accepted in all states for qualified childcare positions.
Washington requires 20 hours (STARS) of pre-service training before providers can begin caring for children.
Background checks including child abuse registry checks, sex offender registry checks, and criminal history checks are required for all childcare staff.
Childcare requirements in nearby states
See how Washington compares: Childcare License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare childcare requirements across all states →
Childcare licensing requirements nationwide →
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How does Washington compare to other states for childcare? See the full comparison →
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Childcare Schools in Washington
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Training materials and study guides for childcare licensing and CDA credential preparation.
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Childcare Provider requirements in Washington verified against Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Child Care Licensing (WAC Title 110), March 2026.
Accessed 2026-03-21
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Washington requires 20 hours (STARS) of initial training and maintains staff-to-child ratios of 1:4 for infants. Fingerprinting and comprehensive background checks are required for all providers. Licensing is managed through the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Child Care Licensing (WAC Title 110).
Requirements vary by license type and facility size. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.