Daycare in Texas
What daycare costs in each Texas county, how to get help paying, and every licensed or registered program on the state's list, city by city.
Short answer
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation, as of October 2026. Licensed child care centers (including before/after-school and school-age programs), licensed child-care homes and registered child-care homes that Texas HHSC lists as active and not temporarily closed. Listed family homes, which are not licensed, are not included. Openings change daily, so call first.
Help paying in Texas
Child Care Services (CCS), run by Texas Workforce Commission
$77,315a year or less for a family of three to start (85% of state median income), as of October 2025. You also need to work, study or train.
Copays are capped at 7% of income (January 2025).
How to applySources: Texas Workforce Commission; National Women's Law Center
Daycare by city in Texas
349 cities have 5 or more licensed or registered programs and a page of their own, most programs first. Another 844 licensed or registered programs are in 444 smaller towns; find them through the state's search below.
- Houston1,380
- San Antonio683
- Austin535
- Dallas409
- Fort Worth356
- El Paso334
- Katy264
- Arlington184
- Spring182
- Plano153
- Corpus Christi152
- Frisco142
- Killeen142
- Lubbock131
- Laredo127
- McKinney123
- Round Rock118
- Cypress112
- Brownsville108
- Richmond107
- Amarillo95
- Humble94
- Garland92
- Irving89
- Midland88
- Edinburg85
- Leander85
- Pearland84
- Carrollton83
- Sugar Land83
- Waco78
- McAllen74
- Mission74
- Georgetown69
- Cedar Park66
- Conroe65
- Pflugerville65
- Mesquite64
- Bryan61
- Grand Prairie61
- Missouri City61
- Pharr58
- Richardson58
- Abilene57
- Odessa57
- San Angelo57
- Longview55
- Tyler55
- New Braunfels54
- Allen53
- Tomball52
- Denton51
- Victoria50
- Little Elm48
- Beaumont47
- Wichita Falls47
- Harlingen46
- Pasadena45
- Kyle44
- Weslaco44
- DeSoto43
- Aubrey42
- Flower Mound42
- Forney42
- College Station41
- Baytown40
- Mansfield39
- Temple39
- Lewisville38
- Prosper38
- Waxahachie38
- Cedar Hill35
- The Woodlands35
- Wylie34
- Hutto33
- Lufkin32
- League City30
- San Juan30
- San Marcos30
- Kingwood29
- Rosenberg29
- Texarkana29
- Bastrop28
- Lancaster28
- Rockwall28
- Duncanville27
- Magnolia27
- North Richland Hills27
- Sherman27
- Boerne26
- Coppell26
- Princeton26
- Bedford25
- Celina25
- Eagle Pass25
- Rowlett25
- Schertz25
- Burleson24
- Copperas Cove24
- Lake Jackson24
- Donna23
- Haslet23
- Liberty Hill23
- Friendswood22
- Granbury22
- Harker Heights22
- Buda21
- Huntsville21
- Keller21
- Midlothian21
- Weatherford21
- Corsicana20
- Rio Grande City20
- San Benito20
- Seguin20
- Port Arthur19
- Red Oak19
- Texas City19
- Alamo18
- Anna18
- Converse18
- Del Rio18
- Kingsville18
- Manor18
- Nacogdoches18
- Rosharon18
- Royse City18
- Saginaw18
- The Colony18
- Galveston17
- Melissa17
- Paris17
- Azle16
- Cibolo16
- Denison16
- Grapevine16
- Justin16
- Nederland16
- Orange16
- Palmview16
- Sachse16
- Southlake16
- Stafford16
- Aledo15
- Alvin15
- Angleton15
- Crosby15
- Fulshear15
- Hurst15
- Manvel15
- Alice14
- Argyle14
- Belton14
- Brenham14
- Crowley14
- Deer Park14
- Euless14
- Farmers Branch14
- La Porte14
- Montgomery14
- Navasota14
- Vidor14
- Colleyville13
- Dripping Springs13
- Fresno13
- Haltom City13
- Jarrell13
- Kerrville13
- Marshall13
- Mercedes13
- Uvalde13
- Webster13
- Cleburne12
- Crandall12
- Dickinson12
- Gainesville12
- Horizon City12
- Murphy12
- Port Lavaca12
- Santa Fe12
- Alton11
- Bay City11
- Elgin11
- Fate11
- Fredericksburg11
- La Marque11
- Plainview11
- Stephenville11
- Vernon11
- Bellaire10
- Brownwood10
- Edna10
- El Campo10
- Floresville10
- Forest Hill10
- Glenn Heights10
- Kilgore10
- Los Fresnos10
- Portland10
- Roanoke10
- Robinson10
- Socorro10
- Sulphur Springs10
- Benbrook9
- Bridge City9
- Brookshire9
- Caddo Mills9
- Corinth9
- Cuero9
- Decatur9
- Elsa9
- Greenville9
- Heartland9
- Helotes9
- Henderson9
- Hockley9
- Krum9
- La Grange9
- Lakeway9
- Live Oak9
- Lockhart9
- Palestine9
- Roma9
- Watauga9
- West Lake Hills9
- Big Spring8
- Burnet8
- Cleveland8
- Hempstead8
- Iowa Park8
- Lindale8
- Lumberton8
- Mount Pleasant8
- New Caney8
- Northlake8
- Pampa8
- Providence Village8
- Sanger8
- Sealy8
- Taylor8
- Waller8
- Wimberley8
- Windcrest8
- Alvarado7
- Athens7
- Balch Springs7
- Beeville7
- Canyon7
- Clute7
- Del Valle7
- Dumas7
- Ennis7
- Graham7
- Hallettsville7
- Jasper7
- La Vernia7
- Lampasas7
- Livingston7
- Madisonville7
- McGregor7
- Mont Belvieu7
- Needville7
- Pleasanton7
- Porter7
- Silsbee7
- Springtown7
- Winnie7
- Zapata7
- Andrews6
- Cameron6
- Canton6
- Canyon Lake6
- Cedar Creek6
- Childress6
- Dalhart6
- Gatesville6
- Hidalgo6
- Highland Village6
- Hillsboro6
- Hondo6
- Jacksonville6
- Jersey Village6
- Levelland6
- Liberty6
- Marble Falls6
- Mexia6
- Mineral Wells6
- Pearsall6
- Pilot Point6
- Pittsburg6
- Port Neches6
- Raymondville6
- Robstown6
- San Saba6
- Selma6
- Seminole6
- Snyder6
- Sunnyvale6
- Sweetwater6
- Terrell6
- White Settlement6
- Willis6
- Willow Park6
- Wills Point6
- Wolfforth6
- Woodway6
- Aransas Pass5
- Bowie5
- Brownfield5
- Buna5
- Burkburnett5
- Caldwell5
- Carrizo Springs5
- Carthage5
- Channelview5
- Clyde5
- Crockett5
- Crystal City5
- Dayton5
- Edcouch5
- Falfurrias5
- Giddings5
- Gilmer5
- Gladewater5
- Groves5
- Hebbronville5
- Hereford5
- Joshua5
- Kaufman5
- Kennedale5
- Lavon5
- Mabank5
- Manchaca5
- Mineola5
- Penitas5
- Ponder5
- Richland Hills5
- Richwood5
- Rockport5
- Seabrook5
- Seagoville5
- Splendora5
- Sweeny5
- Teague5
- Trophy Club5
- Venus5
- Wharton5
- Whitehouse5
- Yoakum5
What does daycare cost in each Texas county?
Weekly full-time prices in 2022. Center infant care runs from $113 in Coke County to $229 in Travis County. Prices aren't adjusted for inflation, so today's rates are likely higher.
| County | Infant | Toddler | Preschool | Infant, home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Andrews County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Angelina County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Aransas County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Archer County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Armstrong County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Atascosa County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Austin County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Bailey County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Bandera County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Bastrop County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Baylor County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Bee County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Bell County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Bexar County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Blanco County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Borden County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Bosque County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| Bowie County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Brazoria County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Brazos County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Brewster County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Briscoe County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Brooks County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Brown County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Burleson County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Burnet County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Caldwell County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Calhoun County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Callahan County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Cameron County | $154 | $146 | $143 | $141 |
| Camp County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Carson County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Cass County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Castro County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Chambers County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Cherokee County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Childress County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Clay County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Cochran County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Coke County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Coleman County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Collin County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Collingsworth County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Colorado County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Comal County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Comanche County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Concho County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Cooke County | $138 | $130 | $127 | $125 |
| Coryell County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Cottle County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Crane County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Crockett County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Crosby County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Culberson County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Dallam County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Dallas County | $194 | $180 | $175 | $172 |
| Dawson County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Deaf Smith County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Delta County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Denton County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| DeWitt County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Dickens County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Dimmit County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Donley County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Duval County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Eastland County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Ector County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Edwards County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Ellis County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| El Paso County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Erath County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Falls County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| Fannin County | $138 | $130 | $127 | $125 |
| Fayette County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Fisher County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Floyd County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Foard County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Fort Bend County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Franklin County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Freestone County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| Frio County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Gaines County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Galveston County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Garza County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Gillespie County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Glasscock County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Goliad County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Gonzales County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Gray County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Grayson County | $138 | $130 | $127 | $125 |
| Gregg County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Grimes County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Guadalupe County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Hale County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Hall County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Hamilton County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Hansford County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Hardeman County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Hardin County | $135 | $128 | $125 | $124 |
| Harris County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Harrison County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Hartley County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Haskell County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Hays County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Hemphill County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Henderson County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Hidalgo County | $144 | $136 | $133 | $131 |
| Hill County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| Hockley County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Hood County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Hopkins County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Houston County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Howard County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Hudspeth County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Hunt County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Hutchinson County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Irion County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Jack County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Jackson County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Jasper County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Jeff Davis County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Jefferson County | $135 | $128 | $125 | $124 |
| Jim Hogg County | $126 | $119 | $117 | $115 |
| Jim Wells County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Johnson County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Jones County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Karnes County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Kaufman County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Kendall County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Kenedy County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Kent County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Kerr County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Kimble County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| King County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Kinney County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Kleberg County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Knox County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Lamar County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Lamb County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Lampasas County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| La Salle County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Lavaca County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Lee County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Leon County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Liberty County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Limestone County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| Lipscomb County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Live Oak County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Llano County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Loving County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Lubbock County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Lynn County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| McCulloch County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| McLennan County | $134 | $127 | $124 | $122 |
| McMullen County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Madison County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Marion County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Martin County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Mason County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Matagorda County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Maverick County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Medina County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Menard County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Midland County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Milam County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Mills County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Mitchell County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Montague County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Montgomery County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Moore County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Morris County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Motley County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Nacogdoches County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Navarro County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Newton County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Nolan County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Nueces County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Ochiltree County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Oldham County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Orange County | $135 | $128 | $125 | $124 |
| Palo Pinto County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Panola County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Parker County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Parmer County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Pecos County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Polk County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Potter County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Presidio County | $122 | $116 | $113 | $111 |
| Rains County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Randall County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Reagan County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Real County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Red River County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Reeves County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Refugio County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Roberts County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Robertson County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Rockwall County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Runnels County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Rusk County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Sabine County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| San Augustine County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| San Jacinto County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| San Patricio County | $153 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| San Saba County | $133 | $126 | $123 | $121 |
| Schleicher County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Scurry County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Shackelford County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Shelby County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Sherman County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Smith County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Somervell County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Starr County | $144 | $136 | $133 | $131 |
| Stephens County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Sterling County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Stonewall County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Sutton County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Swisher County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Tarrant County | $199 | $185 | $180 | $177 |
| Taylor County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Terrell County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Terry County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Throckmorton County | $124 | $117 | $114 | $113 |
| Titus County | $121 | $114 | $112 | $111 |
| Tom Green County | $113 | $106 | $103 | $102 |
| Travis County | $229 | $214 | $209 | $206 |
| Trinity County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Tyler County | $129 | $121 | $118 | $117 |
| Upshur County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Upton County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Uvalde County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Val Verde County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
| Van Zandt County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Victoria County | $124 | $117 | $115 | $113 |
| Walker County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Waller County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Ward County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Washington County | $154 | $145 | $141 | $139 |
| Webb County | $126 | $119 | $117 | $115 |
| Wharton County | $185 | $172 | $167 | $164 |
| Wheeler County | $147 | $139 | $136 | $134 |
| Wichita County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Wilbarger County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Willacy County | $144 | $136 | $133 | $131 |
| Williamson County | $202 | $189 | $183 | $181 |
| Wilson County | $171 | $160 | $156 | $154 |
| Winkler County | $155 | $144 | $140 | $138 |
| Wise County | $191 | $176 | $170 | $167 |
| Wood County | $124 | $118 | $115 | $114 |
| Yoakum County | $146 | $138 | $134 | $133 |
| Young County | $130 | $122 | $119 | $117 |
| Zapata County | $126 | $119 | $117 | $115 |
| Zavala County | $130 | $124 | $122 | $120 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2022 prices.
Look up your county to see a year's cost for each age, or read how much childcare costs for nannies and other options.
Help paying for daycare in Texas
Three ways to bring the bill down. You can use more than one.
1. Child Care Services (CCS)
The state's child care subsidy, run by Texas Workforce Commission. A family of three qualifies at up to $77,315 a year to start. You pay a copay and the state pays the rest to the provider you pick. Local workforce boards keep waiting lists; 110,187 children were on them statewide in February 2025. TANF Choices, SNAP E&T and child protective services families skip them. In Texas, a provider whose price is above the state's payment can charge you the difference, so ask first.
2. Head Start and Early Head Start
Free for families at or below the poverty line, or on TANF or SSI. 953 centers in Texas; 424 take babies and toddlers.
3. Tax breaks
For 2026, a dependent care FSA through your employer can shelter up to $7,500 of child care costs from tax, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit pays up to 50% of up to $3,000 in expenses for one child or $6,000 for two or more. The same dollars can't count for both.
How to check a daycare's license in Texas
Every licensed program has a state record with its license, the ages and number of children it's licensed for, and its inspection history. Look a program up before you tour it, and again before you sign.
- Find and check child care in Texas on Childcare.gov, with links to the state's search, licensing rules and inspection reports.
- Texas's own child care search
Daycare in Texas: common questions
How much does daycare cost in Texas?
Full-time infant care at a Texas child care center has a median price of $185 a week, about $9,620 a year; at a family child care home it's $164 a week. These are 2022 prices from the U.S. Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices, not adjusted for inflation, so expect to pay more today. Prices for toddlers and preschoolers are lower, and they vary by county.
How do I get help paying for daycare in Texas?
Apply to Child Care Services (CCS), run by Texas Workforce Commission. A family of three can earn up to $77,315 a year to start (as of October 2025). Parents generally need to be working, in school or in job training. You pay a copay based on income, and the state pays the rest to the provider you choose. Local workforce boards keep waiting lists; 110,187 children were on them statewide in February 2025. TANF Choices, SNAP E&T and child protective services families skip them.
Is there free daycare in Texas?
Head Start and Early Head Start are free for families who qualify. The Office of Head Start lists 953 centers in Texas; 424 serve babies and toddlers (Early Head Start) and 774 offer preschool for ages 3 to 5. You qualify with income at or below the federal poverty line, or at any income if you get TANF or SSI, your child is in foster care, or your family is homeless.
How do I check that a daycare is licensed in Texas?
Look the program up in Texas's child care search before you visit. Childcare.gov's Texas page links to the state's search, its licensing rules and its inspection reports. The programs listed on our Texas city pages come from the state's own licensing list and show each license number.
What's the difference between a daycare center and a family child care home?
A center runs in a commercial or school building with several classrooms and staff. A family child care home is licensed care in the provider's own home, usually for a smaller group of mixed ages, and in Texas it costs a median $164 a week for an infant against $185 at a center. Both are licensed and inspected by the state.
Are there tax breaks for daycare?
For 2026, a dependent care FSA through your employer can shelter up to $7,500 of child care costs from tax, and the Child and Dependent Care Credit pays up to 50% of up to $3,000 in expenses for one child or $6,000 for two or more. The same dollars can't count for both.
Daycare in nearby states
Other benefits in Texas
Having a baby in Texas Benefits, each with its source, checked October 2026 Pregnancy Medicaid / CHIP 203% / 207% FPL WIC Yes Paid family leave Voluntary Medicaid pays for a doula No See TexasGear for daycare days
Sources
- 1.HHSC CCL Daycare and Residential Operations Data Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation. Accessed October 16, 2026.
- 2.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 3.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 4.National Database of Childcare Prices: State-Level Estimates and Affordability Rankings 2022 U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 5.National Database of Childcare Prices U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 6.Child care scholarships (Child Care Services) Texas Workforce Commission. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 7.Texas: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-08-21) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 8.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 9.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 10.42 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.
- 11.Understanding and finding child care in Texas Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.