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Daycare in Watertown, NY

40 licensed or registered programs in Watertown (Jefferson County): 14 family child care homes, 12 school-age programs, 9 child care centers and 5 group child care homes. Together they're licensed for 3,214 children.

Short answer

Infant care at a center costs a median $247 a week in Jefferson County (2022 prices), $190 at a family child care home. New York's child care subsidy, Child Care Assistance Program, helps pay if a family of three earns up to $95,397. Call ahead: licensed spots aren't open spots.

Sources: New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services; New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as of October 2026. Outside New York City: day care centers, small day care centers, school-age programs, family day care homes and group family day care homes that OCFS lists as licensed or registered. In New York City, family and group family day care homes and school-age programs come from OCFS, and group child care centers and school-based child care programs come from the NYC Health Department's list of active programs (search them at https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/ChildCare/). Openings change daily, so call first.

What daycare costs in Jefferson County

$247/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($12,844 a year) in 2022, before inflation since.

WeeklyCenterHome daycare
Infant$247$190
Toddler$230$180
Preschool$200$175

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2022.

9 child care centers in Watertown

Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.

  • Bright Beginnings Early Learning CenterToddler, Preschool · licensed for 120

    420 Gaffney Drive, 13601 · (315) 836-1329

    License 876834
  • Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County, Inc.Preschool · licensed for 118

    518 Davidson Street, 13601 · (315) 782-4900

    License 41465
  • Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County, Inc.Preschool · licensed for 36

    320 West Lynde Street, 13601 · (315) 782-4900

    License 777570
  • First Step Day Care, Inc.Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age · licensed for 64

    317 Washington St, 13601 · (315) 788-5437

    License 40860
  • Jefferson Campus CareToddler, Preschool · licensed for 40

    1220 Coffeen Street, 13601 · (315) 786-2357

    License 151370
  • New Day Children's CenterInfant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age · licensed for 146

    327 Franklin St, 13601 · (315) 788-1787

    License 39589
  • The Treehouse Child Care CenterInfant, Toddler, Preschool, School-age · licensed for 128

    1635 Ohio, 13601

    License 904014
  • The Treehouse Child Care CenterPreschool · licensed for 18

    1833 State Street, 13601 · (315) 786-7285

    License 947206
  • Watertown Family YMCA Day Care CenterInfant, Toddler, Preschool · licensed for 76

    514 Washington Street, 13601 · (315) 755-1208

    License 434192

5 group child care homes in Watertown

Licensed care in a provider's home for a larger group. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.

14 family child care homes in Watertown

Licensed care in a provider's own home. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.

12 school-age programs in Watertown

Before- and after-school and summer programs for school-age children.

How can I get help paying for daycare in Watertown?

Child Care Assistance Program pays part of the bill at a licensed provider you choose; you pay a copay based on income.

Help paying in New York

Child Care Assistance Program, run by New York State Office of Children and Family Services

$95,397a year or less for a family of three to start (85% of state median income), as of June 2025. You also need to work, study or train.

Some areasNew families may wait (September 2025)
How to apply

Sources: New York State Office of Children and Family Services; National Women's Law Center

Daycare in Watertown: common questions

How much does daycare cost in Watertown, NY?

In Jefferson County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $247 a week ($12,844 a year) in 2022, and preschool care $200 a week. A family child care home charged a median $190 a week for an infant. These prices come from the U.S. Department of Labor and aren't adjusted for inflation, so expect higher rates today.

How many licensed daycares are in Watertown?

New York's list shows 40 licensed or registered programs in Watertown as of October 2026: 14 family child care homes, 12 school-age programs, 9 child care centers and 5 group child care homes. Together they're licensed for 3,214 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.

Can I get help paying for daycare in Watertown?

Yes, if you qualify. Child Care Assistance Program, run by New York State Office of Children and Family Services, pays part of the cost at a provider you choose. A family of three can earn up to $95,397 a year to start.

How do I know a daycare is licensed?

Every program on this page is on New York's list of active licensed or registered programs, with its license number. Look up the record before you tour: it shows the ages and number of children the program is licensed for and its inspection history.

Sources

  1. 1.Child Care Regulated Programs New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  2. 2.Active NYC Health Code Regulated Child Care Programs New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  3. 3.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.Child Care Assistance Program New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.New York: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-09-29) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  9. 9.42 U.S. Code 9858n, Definitions (Child Care and Development Block Grant Act) Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  10. 10.Understanding and finding child care in New York Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.

Other benefits in New York

Having a baby in New York Benefits, each with its source, checked October 2026 Pregnancy Medicaid Up to 223% FPL WIC Yes Paid family leave Yes Medicaid pays for a doula Yes See New York

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