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Daycare in San Marcos, TX

30 licensed or registered programs in San Marcos (Hays County): 16 child care centers, 9 school-age programs and 5 group child care homes. Together they're licensed for 1,799 children.

Short answer

Infant care at a center costs a median $202 a week in Hays County (2022 prices), $181 at a family child care home. Texas's child care subsidy, Child Care Services (CCS), helps pay if a family of three earns up to $77,315. Call ahead: licensed spots aren't open spots.

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.

What daycare costs in Hays County

$202/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($10,504 a year) in 2022, before inflation since.

WeeklyCenterHome daycare
Infant$202$181
Toddler$189$172
Preschool$183$170

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

16 child care centers in San Marcos

Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.

  • A. Washington Child Development CenterInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten · licensed for 109

    103 Hays St, 78666 · (512) 353-1507

    License 504402
  • First Step INCInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 71 · Accepts subsidy

    4003 Hunter Rd, 78666 · (512) 353-4177

    License 515990
  • First Steps to Big DreamsInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten · licensed for 42

    715 W Hopkins St Unit 709, 78666 · (512) 210-8252

    License 1828828
  • First United Methodist Day School and AfterschoolInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 92 · Accepts subsidy

    129 W Hutchison St, 78666 · (512) 396-3236

    License 503561
  • Giggle and Grow San MarcosInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 74 · Accepts subsidy

    2411 Hunter Rd, 78666 · (512) 392-3150

    License 1792480
  • Henry Bush Child Development CenterPre-Kindergarten · licensed for 83

    722 McKie St, 78666 · (512) 392-1161

    License 124699
  • Kids of the KingdomInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 119

    130 W Holland St, 78666 · (512) 353-5437

    License 240712
  • Little Lambs Learning CenterInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 63 · Accepts subsidy

    415 Riverside Dr, 78666 · (512) 392-4662

    License 1552365
  • Little Leaders Childcare CenterInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 40 · Accepts subsidy

    400 Uhland Rd, 78666 · (512) 268-6406

    License 1807356
  • Paloma Montessori SchoolInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 117 · Accepts subsidy

    125 W. McCarty Ln, 78666 · (512) 667-6022

    License 1709759
  • Presbyterian Parent CooperativeToddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 16

    323 Mary St, 78666 · (512) 353-8325

    License 180780
  • SMCISD Child Development CenterInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 62 · Accepts subsidy

    1225 North State Highway 123, 78666 · (512) 393-6031

    License 404042
  • Texas State Child Development CenterInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 130 · Accepts subsidy

    102 Lueders Ct, 78666 · (512) 245-2621

    License 59795
  • Thistle Bee Discovery San MarcosInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 39

    4766 N State Highway 123 Bldg 100, 78666 · (512) 945-0905

    License 1816844
  • William Crook Child Development CenterInfant, Toddler · licensed for 34

    1205 Davis Ln, 78666 · (512) 610-5534

    License 1751896
  • Wonderland School Day CareInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School · licensed for 110 · Accepts subsidy

    302 Country Estates Dr, 78666 · (512) 392-9404

    License 520166

5 group child care homes in San Marcos

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

9 school-age programs in San Marcos

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

How can I get help paying for daycare in San Marcos?

Child Care Services (CCS) pays part of the bill at a licensed provider you choose; you pay a copay based on income. Texas's list shows 11 of the 30 programs here accept it. If your income is at or below the poverty line, Head Start and Early Head Start are free.

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.

WaitlistNew families may wait (February 2025)

Copays are capped at 7% of income (January 2025).

How to apply

Sources: Texas Workforce Commission; National Women's Law Center

Daycare in San Marcos: common questions

How much does daycare cost in San Marcos, TX?

In Hays County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $202 a week ($10,504 a year) in 2022, and preschool care $183 a week. A family child care home charged a median $181 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 San Marcos?

Texas's list shows 30 licensed or registered programs in San Marcos as of October 2026: 16 child care centers, 9 school-age programs and 5 group child care homes. Together they're licensed for 1,799 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.

Can I get help paying for daycare in San Marcos?

Yes, if you qualify. Child Care Services (CCS), run by Texas Workforce Commission, pays part of the cost at a provider you choose. A family of three can earn up to $77,315 a year to start. The state's list shows 11 of the San Marcos programs accept the subsidy. San Marcos also has 4 free Head Start and Early Head Start centers for families who qualify.

How do I know a daycare is licensed?

Every program on this page is on Texas'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.HHSC CCL Daycare and Residential Operations Data Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation. Accessed October 16, 2026.
  2. 2.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  3. 3.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  4. 4.Child care scholarships (Child Care Services) Texas Workforce Commission. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  5. 5.Texas: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-08-21) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
  6. 6.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  7. 7.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
  8. 8.42 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.
  9. 9.Understanding and finding child care in Texas Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.

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 Texas

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