Licensed Daycares in Richardson, TX
Browse 40 HHSC-licensed daycares in Richardson, Texas. Filter by age, CCAP acceptance, and ratings. Free parent resource.
40 listings found
Richardson, TX has 40 licensed childcare providers listed on CloverMap, averaging 4.6★ on Google, including 25 rated 4.5 or higher.
Data verified against HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission) licensing records · updated Aug 25, 2026
Daycare & Childcare in Richardson
40
Licensed centers
4.6★
Avg Google rating
25
Rated 4.5+
As of August 2026
Richardson, Texas offers families a childcare market that is both substantial and genuinely competitive. With 40 licensed daycares operating across the city, parents have meaningful choice — and the quality signals are encouraging. The five providers with Google ratings average an impressive 4.61 stars, sitting 0.19 points above the Texas state average of 4.42 stars, which suggests that the centers investing in their reputations here are doing something right. That said, Richardson's market has some real gaps that families need to understand before they begin their search. Subsidy acceptance is the most striking: only 12 of the city's 40 providers — just 30 percent — accept Child Care Services (CCS) assistance, compared to a statewide average of 55 percent. That 25-point gap means families relying on state childcare assistance face a meaningfully narrower field than parents in many other Texas cities. Drop-in care is similarly constrained, with only 9 providers offering that flexibility, putting Richardson at 22 percent versus the state's 31 percent. On the brighter side, infant care coverage is strong, with 33 of 40 centers — 82 percent — welcoming babies under 12 months. No providers currently hold Texas Rising Star certification or NAEYC accreditation, which means parents will need to rely on inspection records and firsthand research to assess program quality beyond star ratings. What defines this market is a concentration of well-reviewed, professionally run centers serving a community that clearly values early education.
What to know about childcare in Richardson
Richardson's top-rated providers span a range of philosophies and program types, giving families genuine options at the high end of the market. Primrose School of N. Richardson at Lookout leads the city with a remarkable 4.9 stars across 95 reviews — an exceptional score for a center of any size, and it accepts infants. Flamingo Island Preschool LLC follows closely at 4.8 stars with 141 reviews, the highest review volume among top-rated centers, signaling broad and sustained community trust, and it also serves infants. Bluebonnet Learning Center earns 4.7 stars from 113 reviewers, stands out as the only top-five provider that accepts CCS subsidy funding, and serves infants — making it a critical option for subsidy-eligible families. The Pillars Christian Learning Center matches that 4.7-star mark with 103 reviews and serves infants, offering families seeking a faith-rooted environment a highly regarded choice. Rounding out the five, Primrose School of Richardson holds 4.6 stars from 94 reviewers and serves infants, providing another strong Primrose option within the city.
Navigating Richardson's childcare market well means understanding a few structural realities before you ever schedule a tour. Start with subsidy access. Child Care Services, administered through the Texas Workforce Commission and locally coordinated through Workforce Solutions, is the primary assistance program available to income-eligible families in Richardson. The application process begins at twc.texas.gov or by contacting your local Workforce Solutions office, and approval depends on income thresholds, family size, and work or education status. Once approved, however, Richardson families face a genuinely compressed landscape: only 12 of the city's 40 licensed providers — 30 percent — accept CCS funding. Statewide, 55 percent of centers participate, so Richardson's gap is not trivial. In practical terms, this means subsidy-approved families should request the current CCS provider list directly from their Workforce Solutions case manager and contact those centers immediately, because participating centers in a tighter market tend to fill their subsidized slots quickly. Bluebonnet Learning Center is the standout among top-rated providers that accept CCS, making it a particularly important first call for families who need that coverage. For infant care, Richardson's numbers are more reassuring. Thirty-three of the city's 40 centers — 82 percent — serve children under 12 months, which is a healthy proportion. But strong aggregate numbers can obscure tight waitlists at the specific centers families most want. Richardson's highest-rated infant programs, particularly the Primrose locations and Flamingo Island, carry real community demand, and families expecting a baby should begin outreach in the second trimester if at all possible. Many centers maintain informal interest lists before formal waitlists open, so an early phone call or email is never wasted effort, even if a spot won't be needed for months. Drop-in care is the market's other meaningful constraint. Only 9 of Richardson's 40 providers offer drop-in availability, representing 22 percent of the market — nine points below the state average. For parents with variable work schedules, caregivers who need backup coverage, or families who simply want occasional flexibility, this matters. Call ahead to confirm current drop-in capacity, as policies change seasonally. Finally, every licensed daycare in Richardson is inspected and overseen by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. HHSC publishes inspection histories, violation records, and compliance reports through its online Child Care Licensing portal at hhs.texas.gov. Parents should pull these records for any center they are seriously considering — not to search for scandals, but because a pattern of minor violations corrected promptly tells a very different story than repeated citations for the same issue. Inspection data, combined with direct visits and conversations with current parents, gives families the fullest possible picture of what daily life inside a center actually looks like.
Browse Richardson by program type
Parents also ask
How do I apply for Child Care Services (CCS) subsidy in Richardson, and will it be hard to find a participating center?
Apply through Workforce Solutions at twc.texas.gov or visit your local Workforce Solutions office to begin an eligibility review based on income and work status. Once approved, be aware that only 12 of Richardson's 40 licensed providers accept CCS — just 30 percent, well below the 55 percent state average. Ask your case manager for the current participating provider list immediately and contact those centers right away, as subsidized slots fill quickly.
Is infant care easy to find in Richardson, and how early should I get on a waitlist?
Richardson is relatively strong for infant care, with 33 of 40 licensed centers — 82 percent — serving children under 12 months. The challenge is that top-rated infant programs like the Primrose locations and Flamingo Island carry significant demand. Families expecting a baby should reach out to preferred centers during the second trimester. Many centers maintain informal interest lists before formal waitlists open, so early contact matters even months before your child's arrival date.
Why doesn't Richardson have any Texas Rising Star or NAEYC-accredited centers, and does that matter?
Currently, none of Richardson's 40 licensed providers hold Texas Rising Star (2–4 star) certification or NAEYC accreditation. These voluntary credentials signal structured quality commitments, so their absence means parents can't rely on them as a shortcut. Instead, review each center's HHSC inspection history at hhs.texas.gov, visit in person, and weigh Google ratings — where Richardson averages a strong 4.61 stars — alongside conversations with families already enrolled.
Is drop-in daycare easy to find in Richardson for backup or flexible care?
Drop-in care is limited in Richardson: only 9 of 40 providers offer it, representing 22 percent of the market, compared to a 31 percent state average. For parents with unpredictable schedules or who need occasional backup care, the pool is smaller than in many Texas cities. Call centers directly to confirm current drop-in policies, as availability changes seasonally, and consider identifying two or three options in advance rather than searching in the moment.
How do Richardson's daycare quality ratings compare to the rest of Texas?
The five Richardson providers with Google ratings average 4.61 stars, which is 0.19 points above the Texas state average of 4.42 stars. Primrose School of N. Richardson at Lookout leads at 4.9 stars from 95 reviewers, and Flamingo Island Preschool carries 4.8 stars from 141 reviews — the market's highest review volume. While ratings are one signal, pair them with HHSC inspection records and in-person tours for a complete picture.
Tips for choosing childcare in Richardson
Verify Licensing
Always confirm that a daycare holds a valid state license. Licensed centers meet health, safety, and staffing requirements.
Read Parent Reviews
Reviews from other parents give real insight into daily routines, staff quality, and how facilities are maintained.
Ask About Curriculum
Ask whether the program is play-based, Montessori or STEM-focused. The approach shapes your child's day.
Consider Schedule Fit
Make sure operating hours, program types, and flexibility match your family's daily schedule and work commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many licensed daycares are in Richardson, TX?
CloverMap lists 40 HHSC-licensed daycare providers in Richardson, Texas. All listings have been verified against the Texas HHSC licensing database.
Do daycares in Richardson accept the CCAP subsidy?
Yes, many HHSC-licensed daycares in Richardson accept Texas's CCAP childcare subsidy, which can reduce your childcare cost significantly depending on your income. Use CloverMap's CCAP filter to find accepting providers in Richardson.
What is the average daycare cost in Richardson, TX?
Daycare costs in Richardson typically range from $700–$2,200/month depending on the child's age and care type. Infant care is the most expensive ($1,100–$2,200/month), while preschool-age care averages $700–$1,400/month. NAEYC-accredited centers run about 20% higher than average.
What should I look for when choosing a daycare in Richardson?
Look for HHSC licensure (required in Texas), staff-to-child ratios, curriculum type (Montessori, play-based, faith-based), age group coverage, CCAP acceptance, and parent reviews. CloverMap lets you filter by all of these criteria for daycares in Richardson.
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