Parents looking for daycare in North Dakota face a different market than parents in most states. The state is large and thinly populated, and licensed child care is split between a few growing metro areas and hundreds of small towns. Our directory lists 409 providers across 84 cities, from large centers in Fargo to small programs such as Weeser Playschool in Hankinson. This page explains who regulates care, how it differs by region, and how to check a provider before you enroll.

Who Licenses Child Care in North Dakota

Child care licensing is handled by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its early childhood services staff. HHS took over work that used to be divided between the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health. The rules come from Chapter 50-11 of the North Dakota Century Code and from the child care rules in Article 75-03 of the North Dakota Administrative Code.

The state recognizes several kinds of providers. Each one works differently, so it helps to know which type you are calling.

Very small providers can operate through self-declaration instead of a full license. Self-declared providers are not licensed, and state oversight of them is lighter. That does not make them unsafe, but you should ask more questions and visit in person.

Licensed providers generally have to meet standards in these areas:

Ask any provider to show you their license or self-declaration status. A good provider will do it without hesitation.

How Daycare Differs Between Fargo, Bismarck, Minot and the Oil Patch

North Dakota's regions have very different child care markets. Understanding yours will tell you how early to start calling and what to expect.

Fargo and the Red River Valley. Cass County has by far the most providers in the state. Fargo, West Fargo and smaller commuter towns like Horace all have programs. Little Tykes Daycare & Learning Cntr is on Main Street in Horace, and Little Lambs Christian Preschool is on Sheyenne Street in West Fargo. Even with this many options, infant spots in the metro area fill early. Many families join waitlists well before they need care.

Bismarck and Mandan. Burleigh County centers on the capital city. Early Childhood Learning Cntr Divide sits on East Divide Avenue in Bismarck. Across the Missouri River, Adventure Beyond Care operates on 1st Street Northeast in Mandan, in Morton County. Families here often cross the river for work, so pick a location that suits your commute rather than your home address alone. Hospital and shift schedules also create demand for early-morning and late-afternoon hours that not every provider offers.

Minot and north-central North Dakota. Ward County is the hub for the northwest quarter of the state. Jefferson Early Childhood Center on 11th Avenue Southeast serves Minot families. Minot Air Force Base is nearby, so military families rotating in often need to find care quickly. Ask about openings the moment orders arrive.

The western oil patch. Dickinson in Stark County and Williston in Williams County have felt the effects of the Bakken oil industry on child care. Work schedules there can include long rotations and nonstandard hours, and providers are often scarce compared with demand. Castle Walz Inc operates on Ferndale Boulevard in Williston. First Lutheran Preschool is listed in Watford in McKenzie County. If you are relocating for work in this region, begin your search before you move.

Finding Daycare in Rural and Small-Town North Dakota

Outside the metro areas, a town may have only one or two providers. Cando Community Child Care on U.S. 281 serves Towner County. Parshall Community Daycare II on Main Street covers Mountrail County. The Kidquarters III is in Velva, Teddy Bear Childcare & Preschool is in Grafton, and Grammas Touch Childcare is in Lisbon. In places like these, word of mouth matters as much as any list. Ask neighbors, your school office, or your church.

Tribal communities have their own programs. Sitting Bull College Kampus Kids Daycare in Fort Yates serves the Standing Rock area. Community Action Head Start in Valley City offers early learning for eligible low-income families in Barnes County.

Rural families should plan for a few local realities:

Checking a North Dakota Provider Before You Enroll

Start with a phone call. Ask whether the provider is licensed or self-declared, what ages they take, what hours they keep, and whether they have an opening now or a waitlist. Then schedule a visit during normal hours so you can see children and caregivers together.

Verify the license rather than relying on a sign on the wall. HHS maintains licensing records, and Child Care Aware of North Dakota, the statewide referral network, can help you find and compare providers. Bright & Early ND is the state's quality rating program, and participating providers have voluntarily met standards beyond the minimum.

Use our listings as a starting point, not a final answer. Some records show a PO Box rather than a street address, including Teddy Bear Childcare & Preschool in Grafton and First Lutheran Preschool in Watford. A few records belong to agency offices rather than daycare sites. Call first to confirm the physical location and current status.

Paying for Care: CCAP and Head Start

HHS runs the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps eligible working or studying families pay for care. Eligibility depends on household size, income, and the parents' work, school or training activity. Your local human service zone office can explain how to apply, and the provider you choose generally needs to be licensed or otherwise approved to receive payments. Head Start is a separate, free program for eligible low-income families, with local operators like Community Action Head Start.

Licensed daycare and childcare programs in North Dakota are regulated by the state's child care licensing division, which establishes standards for health, safety, staff qualifications, and caregiver-to-child ratios to protect enrolled children.

Daycare locations are available in 84 cities across North Dakota. They are spread across 44 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, reflecting population centers where working families have the greatest demand for licensed childcare options.

Families in North Dakota searching for licensed childcare should verify that any facility is currently licensed by the state, check inspection history, and inquire about available subsidy programs that may reduce out-of-pocket childcare costs.

Daycare by Counties

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Daycare by Cities

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Families in North Dakota can verify the licensing status of any childcare provider through the state's child care licensing agency online database. Income-eligible families may qualify for childcare subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund program administered at the state level.

Browse Daycare by county across North Dakota to find the nearest location.

Planning Around North Dakota Winters, Harvest and School Calendars

Daycare in North Dakota follows the rhythms of the state. Winters are long, and a cold snap or blizzard can close a program or make a commute risky. Before you sign an enrollment agreement, read the closure policy. Ask whether the provider follows the local school district's weather decisions, and whether you owe tuition on days when the program shuts for the weather.

School calendars also matter. A school-age program like Building Blocks School Age Program in Jamestown or the YMCA Family Center in Grand Forks may offer full-day care on school holidays and in summer, or it may not. Confirm this in advance so you are not scrambling on a teacher in-service day.

In farming communities, planting and harvest push many parents to work extended hours. Providers in towns across Richland County, where Kidz Learning Zone Inc operates in Wahpeton and Weeser Playschool operates in Hankinson, know these seasonal patterns well. Tell them early about any weeks when you will need longer days.

Finally, think about the backup plan. Children get sick, and most providers exclude them for certain illnesses. Ask for the sick-child policy in writing and line up a relative or friend who can step in. In small towns, that backup can matter more than any other detail.

Frequently Asked Questions About Daycare in North Dakota

Ask the provider directly for their license or self-declaration paperwork, and then check it with the state. The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services handles child care licensing and can confirm whether a program holds a current license. Child Care Aware of North Dakota can also help you search for providers. Do not rely on a sign or a website alone. If a provider is reluctant to share their status, treat that as a warning and keep looking at other options in your area.

The Child Care Assistance Program, or CCAP, is run by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. It helps eligible families pay for child care while parents work, attend school or take part in training. Eligibility depends on household size, income and your activity. Your local human service zone office can explain the application process and what documents to bring, such as proof of income and identification. The provider you choose generally must be licensed or otherwise approved, so confirm that before you enroll your child.

A licensed provider has gone through the state's licensing process and follows rules on ratios, safety, training and background checks. A self-declared provider is a very small operation that is not licensed, and state oversight of it is lighter. Many self-declared caregivers are excellent, especially in small towns where a neighbor cares for a few children. Because inspection is limited, visit the home, meet the household, and ask about training, emergency plans and safe sleep. Ask also whether they accept CCAP, since that can depend on status.

Start as soon as you know you will need care, and ideally during pregnancy. Infant spots are the hardest to find because providers take fewer babies per caregiver. Fargo, with centers like Academy For Children, and Bismarck, with programs like Early Childhood Learning Cntr Divide, both draw many families into a limited supply. Call several providers, ask to join waitlists, and ask when you should check back. Also consider nearby towns such as West Fargo, Horace or Mandan, where availability can differ.

It depends on the local program. Head Start is a free early learning program for eligible low-income families, and schedules vary by operator and site. Some run part-day classes, while others offer longer days or work with child care partners. Community Action Head Start, listed in Valley City in Barnes County, is one local example. Call the program and ask about hours, age groups, income guidelines and any waitlist. If the hours do not cover your work day, ask whether a partner provider can supply wrap-around care.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first. For concerns about licensing standards, such as too many children, unsafe conditions or missing supervision, contact the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees child care licensing. For suspected abuse or neglect, reach out to your local human service zone office or law enforcement. Write down dates, names and what you saw before you call. Specific details help investigators act, and you can raise the issue with the provider only if you feel safe doing so.

Ready to narrow your search? Browse providers by county, starting with Grand Forks County for the YMCA Family Center in Grand Forks, or return to the list of North Dakota cities to compare options near your home or workplace.