How this works
Every state (and D.C., and now three Canadian provinces) licenses child-care providers and publishes inspection results. The problem is that this information lives on dozens of separate government websites, each organized differently. DaycareAlert collects those public records, normalizes them into one database, and refreshes them on a rolling schedule. We don't editorialize the records and we don't invent them — if a violation appears here, it appears in the state's own system, and you can verify it at the links below.
Two things on this site are not government records, and we label them as such: monthly cost estimates (a model based on local cost of living, ages served, and capacity — not the provider's actual tuition) and ratings (computed from the official record with a single nationwide formula, explained on each facility page).
Corrections
If you run a daycare and believe a record shown here doesn't match your state's current file — or you're a parent who spots an error — email info@daycarealert.com with the facility name and state. We check against the licensing agency's record and correct anything that doesn't match the source.
The agencies, state by state
- ALAlabama Department of Human Resources — Child Care Services
- AKAlaska DFCS — Child Care Program Office (AKCCIS)
- ABGovernment of Alberta — Child Care Lookup (open data)
- BCGovernment of B.C. — Child Care Map (open data); inspections via regional health authorities
- ONOntario Ministry of Education — Licensed Child Care (open data)
- AZArizona Department of Health Services — AZ Care Check
- ARArkansas DHS — Child Care & Early Childhood Education
- CACalifornia DSS — Community Care Licensing (Care Facility Search)
- COColorado Shines (CDEC licensing search)
- CTConnecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC)
- DEDelaware Office of Child Care Licensing
- DCDC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
- FLFlorida DCF — Child Care (CARES provider search)
- GAGeorgia DECAL — Families (provider search)
- HIHawaii DHS — Child Care Program Office
- IDIdaho Department of Health & Welfare — Child Care
- ILIllinois DCFS — Day Care Licensing (Sunshine portal)
- INIndiana FSSA — Child Care Finder
- IAIowa HHS — Child Care
- KSKansas KDHE — Child Care Licensing
- KYKentucky kynect benefits — Child Care Provider Search
- LALouisiana Department of Education — Early Childhood
- MEMaine DHHS — Child Care Choices
- MDMaryland MSDE — Check CCMD (licensing search)
- MAMassachusetts Department of Early Education & Care (EEC)
- MIMichigan LARA — CCHIRP (Statewide Facility Search)
- MNMinnesota DHS — Licensing Information Lookup
- MSMississippi State Department of Health — Child Care Licensure
- MOMissouri DESE — Office of Childhood
- MTMontana DPHHS — Child Care Licensing (MAQCS Provider Search)
- NENebraska DHHS — Child Care Licensing
- NVNevada DPBH — Child Care Licensing
- NHNew Hampshire DHHS — Child Care Licensing Unit
- NJNew Jersey DCF — Office of Licensing (Child Care Explorer)
- NMNew Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department
- NYNew York OCFS — Division of Child Care Services
- NCNorth Carolina DCDEE — Child Care Search
- NDNorth Dakota HHS — Find Child Care
- OHOhio Department of Children & Youth — Child Care Search
- OKOklahoma DHS — Child Care Services
- PAPennsylvania DHS — Child Care (COMPASS provider search)
- SCSouth Carolina DSS — SC Child Care
- SDSouth Dakota DSS — Office of Licensing & Accreditation Portal
- TNTennessee DHS — Child Care Services
- TXTexas HHS — Child Care Regulation (Search Texas Child Care)
- UTUtah DHHS — Child Care Licensing
- VTVermont DCF — Child Development Division (BFIS)
- VAVirginia DOE — Child Care VA
- WAWashington DCYF — Child Care Check
- WVWest Virginia DHHR — Child Care
- WIWisconsin DCF — Child Care Finder
- WYWyoming DFS — Child Care Licensing