Licensed child care, census tract by census tract
Child care deserts in Washington
A child care desert is a census tract with more than 50 children under 5 and no licensed child care nearby, or more than 3 children for every licensed slot. This map compares the two for every tract in Washington. Tap a tract, or search an address.
Computed from public Census and DCYF data. Licensed care only. Not affiliated with DCYF.
Statewide summary
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Share of children under 5 living in a child care desert, by county
Sorted by our computed share. Each bar shows the county’s children under 5 by the class of the tract they live in.
Map of child care deserts
Zoom in to see licensed centers.
What if a new center opened here?
Hypothetical. Nothing is saved or sent. Place a pin, choose a capacity, and see how the nearby tracts’ ratios would change.
Method and limits
Limits
Sources
Looking for child care?
- DCYF Child Care CheckSearch every licensed provider, including family homes, with inspection history.
- Child Care Aware of WashingtonFree help finding licensed child care near you.
- Working Connections Child CareThe state’s help paying for child care, and who qualifies.
- Child care site-selection reportFor a chosen address and radius: children, working parents and licensed slots.