Seattle area · September 2026

Find the few worth a visit.

2,391 licensed programs around Seattle, and you can’t tour them all. Look any of them up by name, ZIP or neighborhood to see its license, its size and what state inspectors wrote—before you give up a morning to go see it.

Can’t find a program? Ask us to add it

A parent and child walk up a garden path to a glass doorway.

Narrow the list

  • By neighborhood27 Seattle ZIPs

Programs near an addressPrograms on the way to work

As of September 26, 2026, Shortlist lists 2,391 licensed childcare programs in the Seattle area: 1,532 family homes (typically licensed for 11 children) and 859 centers (typically 70). On the Washington DCYF reports Shortlist has read for 2,360 of them, inspectors cited at least one rule at 4,889 of 7,582 visits (64%), and 80 of 13,308 citations had to be fixed by the next business day.

Programs near you

Start close to home. Each program shows its size and what Washington’s inspectors found on their last visit. 1,396 of the 1,532 family homes and 307 of the 859 centers have no website on file. For most of them, the state’s record is the best place to start.

Seattle’s 27 ZIPs, shaded by number of programs

WedgwoodColumbia CityMagnolia98133BroadviewGeorgetownRainier BeachRiverviewLaurelhurstOlympic HillsArbor Heights98116DuwamishMadison Park98103Sunset Hill9814498126Ballard98136Central Area9811998109981029810498101Belltown

Tap your neighborhood to see what’s there.

All 27 areas, as a list

Arbor HeightsZIP 98146

44 programs
34 homes · 10 centers

A to Z, 44 programs

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Ballard, Sunset Hill/Loyal Heights & FremontZIP 98107

17 programs
2 homes · 15 centers

A to Z, 17 programs · 6 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Belltown & Cascade/EastlakeZIP 98121

7 programs
0 homes · 7 centers

A to Z, 7 programs · 4 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Broadview/Bitter LakeZIP 98177

13 programs
6 homes · 7 centers

A to Z, 13 programs · 3 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Central Area/Squire Park & Madrona/LeschiZIP 98122

27 programs
11 homes · 16 centers

A to Z, 27 programs · 1 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Columbia City, South Beacon Hill/Newholly & Seward ParkZIP 98118

134 programs
110 homes · 24 centers

A to Z, 134 programs · 1 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Duwamish/SODO & North DelridgeZIP 98134

4 programs
0 homes · 4 centers

A to Z, 4 programs · 2 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Duwamish/SODO, Pioneer Square/International District & First HillZIP 98104

25 programs
13 homes · 12 centers

A to Z, 25 programs · 4 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Fauntleroy/SeaviewZIP 98136

6 programs
3 homes · 3 centers

A to Z, 6 programs

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

First Hill, Downtown Commercial Core & Cascade/EastlakeZIP 98101

16 programs
0 homes · 16 centers

A to Z, 16 programs · 10 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Georgetown, Beacon Hill & South ParkZIP 98108

136 programs
127 homes · 9 centers

A to Z, 136 programs

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Green Lake, Greenwood/Phinney Ridge, Fremont & WallingfordZIP 98103

38 programs
8 homes · 30 centers

A to Z, 38 programs · 10 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Haller Lake & Broadview/Bitter LakeZIP 98133

53 programs
35 homes · 18 centers

A to Z, 53 programs · 3 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Laurelhurst/Sand Point, Ravenna/Bryant & University DistrictZIP 98105

30 programs
4 homes · 26 centers

A to Z, 30 programs · 6 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Madison Park & Montlake/Portage BayZIP 98112

14 programs
2 homes · 12 centers

A to Z, 14 programs · 1 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Magnolia & InterbayZIP 98199

16 programs
7 homes · 9 centers

A to Z, 16 programs · 2 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Montlake/Portage Bay, Cascade/Eastlake, Capitol Hill & North Capitol HillZIP 98102

16 programs
0 homes · 16 centers

A to Z, 16 programs · 11 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

North Beacon Hill/Jefferson Park & Mt. Baker/North RainierZIP 98144

22 programs
11 homes · 11 centers

A to Z, 22 programs · 1 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Olympic Hills/Victory Heights & Cedar Park/MeadowbrookZIP 98125

46 programs
30 homes · 16 centers

A to Z, 46 programs

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Queen Anne & Cascade/EastlakeZIP 98109

20 programs
0 homes · 20 centers

A to Z, 20 programs · 11 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Queen Anne & InterbayZIP 98119

17 programs
2 homes · 15 centers

A to Z, 17 programs · 6 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Rainier BeachZIP 98178

62 programs
58 homes · 4 centers

A to Z, 62 programs · 2 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Riverview, Highland Park & North DelridgeZIP 98106

47 programs
29 homes · 18 centers

A to Z, 47 programs

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Roxhill/Westwood, North Delridge, High Point & West Seattle Junction/Genesee HillZIP 98126

105 programs
81 homes · 24 centers

A to Z, 105 programs · 16 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Sunset Hill/Loyal Heights, North Beach/Blue Ridge, Greenwood/Phinney Ridge & Whittier HeightsZIP 98117

30 programs
9 homes · 21 centers

A to Z, 30 programs · 10 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Wedgwood/View Ridge, Ravenna/Bryant & Laurelhurst/Sand PointZIP 98115

34 programs
10 homes · 24 centers

A to Z, 34 programs · 5 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

West Seattle Junction/Genesee Hill & Alki/AdmiralZIP 98116

18 programs
6 homes · 12 centers

A to Z, 18 programs · 3 in another ZIP

Change neighborhood

The same neighborhoods, in other ZIPs

Nearby

Outside the city line: 1,512 more programs in ZIPs beyond Seattle’s, listed by city.

Renton 171

Bellevue 162

Bothell 113

SeaTac 109

Kirkland 75

Lynnwood 74

Redmond 62

Tukwila 59

Kent 50

Covington 47

Burien 36

Sammamish 32

Issaquah 29

Seattle 29

Edmonds 24

Shoreline 20

Maple Valley 19

Kenmore 18

Unincorporated King County 17

Snoqualmie 15

Unincorporated Snohomish County 15

Woodinville 12

North Bend 10

Mercer Island 8

Mill Creek 8

Duvall 6

Newcastle 6

Lake Forest Park 4

Brier 3

Des Moines 3

Clyde Hill 2

Medina 2

Normandy Park 2

Carnation 1

Fall City 1

Elsewhere in the metro 268

Size words compare a program with others of its kind. A small home is licensed for 3 to 6 children, mid-size 7 to 11, full-size 12, the most a Washington family home in this area holds. A small center is licensed for 6 to 40 children, medium 41 to 114 and large 115 to 323.

How to read a state inspection

Washington DCYF inspection reports

Every citation comes with a deadline, and the deadline tells you how serious it is.

When an inspector finds a rule that isn’t being followed, the report names the rule and gives it one of four levels. Each level is a deadline for fixing it.

Citations at Seattle area programs’ routine visits, by level

Immediate
80 of 13,308
Must be corrected “immediately or by the start of the next business day.”
Serious
8,363 of 13,308
Corrected in “no more than 5 business days from the date of non-compliance.”
Short term
3,793 of 13,308
Corrected in “no more than 10 business days.”
Long term
1,072 of 13,308
Corrected in “no more than 20 business days.”

Quoted from DCYF procedure PRO 10.1.21. A citation listed at two levels is counted at the sooner deadline.

A complaint with a “valid issue”

When someone files a complaint, Washington investigates and says whether it found a “valid issue.” That’s the state’s wording, and each program’s page uses it as-is, next to the report.

Seattle area state inspections

4,889 of 7,582 visits

cited at least one rule. A single citation is common: family homes 3,036 of 4,775 visits, centers 1,853 of 2,807.

80 of 13,308 citations

were Immediate: Washington required them fixed by the start of the next business day.

Rules cited most, by visits citing each

  1. Safety requirements1,697
  2. Training requirements1,542
  3. Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies1,498
Washington DCYF inspection reports for 2,360 licensed programs around Seattle, counted by Shortlist on September 26, 2026. Visits the state still publishes, plus earlier reports Shortlist read while they were public. shortlist.guide/seattle
A quiet classroom with a small round table, three chairs and a bookshelf.
Most of what inspectors cite is something you can see, or ask about, on a tour.

On a tour

Eight questions to bring on your tour, one for each rule Washington cites most.

  1. What do you check in the rooms each morning before children arrive?

    Safety requirements · cited at 1,697 visits

  2. Which staff have finished the state’s required training, and who is still working through it?

    Training requirements · cited at 1,542 visits

  3. Where are cleaning and maintenance supplies kept?

    Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies · cited at 1,498 visits

  4. What happens in a fire drill, and how often do you run one?

    Emergency preparation and exiting · cited at 1,015 visits

  5. When was the play area’s equipment and ground surface last checked?

    Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space · cited at 750 visits

  6. Can I see how medication is stored and logged?

    Medication · cited at 579 visits

  7. How do you keep track of which kids are up to date on their shots?

    Immunizations and exempt children · cited at 491 visits

  8. Where are the smoke alarms and extinguishers, and when were they last tested?

    Fire safety · cited at 490 visits

Counts are Seattle area visits that cited the rule, of 7,582. Each program’s page shows which rules the state has cited there, with the report.

Neighborhood by neighborhood

Programs by ZIP, as listed today

In the south end, about nine in ten programs are family homes. Around Wedgwood, Green Lake and Central Area, centers outnumber them.

Family homesCentersAll 27 Seattle ZIPs on one scale

Georgetown, Beacon Hill & South Park98108
127 homes · 9 centers
Columbia City, South Beacon Hill/Newholly & Seward Park98118
110 homes · 23 centers
Roxhill/Westwood, North Delridge, High Point & West Seattle Junction/Genesee Hill98126
81 homes · 8 centers
Rainier Beach98178
58 homes · 2 centers
Haller Lake & Broadview/Bitter Lake98133
35 homes · 15 centers
Riverview, Highland Park & North Delridge98106
29 homes · 18 centers
Olympic Hills/Victory Heights & Cedar Park/Meadowbrook98125
30 homes · 16 centers
Arbor Heights98146
34 homes · 10 centers
Wedgwood/View Ridge, Ravenna/Bryant & Laurelhurst/Sand Point98115
10 homes · 19 centers
Show all 27 ZIPs
Green Lake, Greenwood/Phinney Ridge, Fremont & Wallingford98103
8 homes · 20 centers
Central Area/Squire Park & Madrona/Leschi98122
11 homes · 15 centers
Laurelhurst/Sand Point, Ravenna/Bryant & University District98105
4 homes · 20 centers
Duwamish/SODO, Pioneer Square/International District & First Hill98104
13 homes · 8 centers
North Beacon Hill/Jefferson Park & Mt. Baker/North Rainier98144
11 homes · 10 centers
Sunset Hill/Loyal Heights, North Beach/Blue Ridge, Greenwood/Phinney Ridge & Whittier Heights98117
9 homes · 11 centers
West Seattle Junction/Genesee Hill & Alki/Admiral98116
6 homes · 9 centers
Magnolia & Interbay98199
7 homes · 7 centers
Madison Park & Montlake/Portage Bay98112
2 homes · 11 centers
Ballard, Sunset Hill/Loyal Heights & Fremont98107
2 homes · 9 centers
Queen Anne & Interbay98119
2 homes · 9 centers
Broadview/Bitter Lake98177
6 homes · 4 centers
Queen Anne & Cascade/Eastlake98109
0 homes · 9 centers
First Hill, Downtown Commercial Core & Cascade/Eastlake98101
0 homes · 6 centers
Fauntleroy/Seaview98136
3 homes · 3 centers
Montlake/Portage Bay, Cascade/Eastlake, Capitol Hill & North Capitol Hill98102
0 homes · 5 centers
Belltown & Cascade/Eastlake98121
0 homes · 3 centers
Duwamish/SODO & North Delridge98134
0 homes · 2 centers

Names are the city neighborhoods each ZIP overlaps, from Census ZIP boundaries and the City of Seattle’s neighborhood map. Under a center’s name is the neighborhood its licensed street address falls in on that map: 208 of the 859 centers listed. The rest are outside the city, have no mapped address, or sit too near a boundary to say. Washington doesn’t publish family homes’ street addresses, so for a home a ZIP is as close as the map gets. South end means 98108, 98118, 98126 and 98178: 376 of 418 programs are family homes.

Cost

From programs’ own websites
A blue backpack, a small block tower and a child’s wooden chair.

What full-time care costs, when programs actually say.

$2,955a month, the middle published price for an infant

Infant · 35 pricesmiddle $2,955
$1,000$2,000$3,000$4,000 a month
Toddler · 44 pricesmiddle $2,458
$1,000$2,000$3,000$4,000 a month
Preschool · 66 pricesmiddle $2,122
$1,000$2,000$3,000$4,000 a month

73 of the 2,391 programs publish a full-time monthly price, all of them centers. Each tick is one program, and the tall mark is the middle. Most programs don’t post a price at all, so from any program’s page, Shortlist can ask for you.

Price a whole year, with closures and backup care

Teaching approach

From programs’ own websites

Play-based is the approach programs here name most.

256 of the 2,391 programs name a teaching approach on their own website, and some name more than one. Shortlist has read 522 programs’ websites so far.

What each looks like in a classroom
Play-based101 programs Montessori60 programs Reggio Emilia23 programs Waldorf6 programs

Also named: bilingual (44), developmental (35), faith-based (25), Creative Curriculum (24), STEAM (23), emergent (17), HighScope (13), academic (8), nature and outdoor (8).

How this guide is made

Every number here comes from a public source: Washington DCYF’s licensing data and inspection reports, a program’s own website, IRS records and the City of Seattle’s business license register. Each one says how many programs it covers. Figures were counted from Shortlist’s directory on September 26, 2026: 2,391 programs, 1,532 family homes and 859 centers. The list itself is the directory as it stands today.

A visit is one day the state was on site, counted from reports for the 2,360 programs whose reports Shortlist has read. “Nothing cited” appears only where the report was read. A row says so when a program is newly listed, when Washington lists no visit report, or when a report could not be read. The state removes older reports, so a typical program’s record starts in January 2024.

Programs are listed A to Z. The order doesn’t mean anything.