Wyoming is the least populous state in the country, and its child care market shows it. A parent in Cheyenne can compare many centers within a short drive. A parent in Pinedale, Lovell or Thermopolis may have only one or two nearby choices, and each of them matters a great deal. This page explains how daycare is organized across the state, who oversees it, and how to find a program that fits your schedule and budget.

The listings in our directory include full-day child care centers, family-run homes, church-based programs, school-affiliated preschools and Head Start sites. Some are open from early morning until evening. Others run only a few hours a day. Knowing the difference before you call will save you time.

Who Oversees Daycare in Wyoming

The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) is the state agency responsible for child care. DFS certifies child care programs, and it also administers the child care assistance program for eligible working families. Wyoming tends to say "certification" where other states say "licensing," so you will hear both words used for the same basic idea: the state has checked that a provider meets minimum standards.

Those standards cover staff-to-child ratios, background checks, health and safety practices, and the condition of the building and play areas. Requirements differ by program type. A small home-based provider is not held to the same rules as a large center with dozens of children. Larger centers may also deal with fire and health inspections.

Not every program in this directory sits under the same oversight. Head Start programs follow federal performance standards. School-based and church-affiliated preschools may operate under different rules than a full-day center. The practical advice is simple: ask every provider what kind of certification or approval they hold, and ask to see it.

Metro and Rural Daycare Across Wyoming

Wyoming has no large metropolitan area, but there is still a clear gap between its biggest towns and the rest of the state. Population, local industry and tourism all shape what child care looks like in a given county.

Cheyenne and Laramie County

Cheyenne, the state capital, has the largest concentration of programs in our database. Laramie County offers the widest range of choices in Wyoming, from small preschools to full-day centers. One example is All About Me Childcare And Preschool on East Carlson Street. Families connected to F.E. Warren Air Force Base also have military child care options on base. Those are separate from the community programs listed here, so ask your installation about both.

Casper and Natrona County

Casper is the second-largest cluster of listings. In Natrona County, the Casper College Early Childhood Learning Center on College Drive is a campus-based program. Campus programs often give some priority to students or employees, so ask about enrollment rules before assuming a spot is open. Just outside Casper, Evansville Christian Day Care serves families on the east side of the metro area, which can be a useful option if you commute along that corridor.

Jackson and Teton County

Jackson has a different set of pressures. Teton County has a seasonal, tourism-driven workforce and high housing costs. Many parents work irregular hours in winter and summer. Programs such as Bright Beginnings Episcopal Preschool on Glenwood Street may fill quickly, so start your search early and ask about waitlists. Some parents also find that hours are shorter than a full work shift, which means piecing together care from more than one source.

Energy, Ranching and Reservation Communities

In Gillette, All The King's Children Preschool And Childcare on East Flying Circle Drive serves a community tied closely to energy-sector work. Shift schedules there can make long or early hours especially valuable. In Sheridan, Fox's Funhouse Childcare Center on Kroe Lane is one of the many programs serving northern Wyoming. In Laramie, Basic Beginnings on North 19th Street sits in a university town where student and faculty families create steady demand. In Cody, Aunt Nancies Infant Center on 29th Street focuses on the youngest children, and infant care is the hardest type to find in most small cities.

Farther south in the Wind River Basin, Fremont County includes Riverton and Lander. Casey's Country Child Care on Hutchinson Road in Riverton and Bright Beginnings on Mortimore Lane in Lander are two examples. Families in this part of the state may also be connected to programs serving the Wind River Reservation, and travel distances between towns can be significant, especially in winter.

How to Find and Choose a Wyoming Daycare

Use the city and county pages in this directory to build a short list. Then work through these steps in order.

If a number is missing from a listing, as with a few smaller programs, search the program by name or ask the nearest town office or school for a current contact. Phone numbers and hours change, so confirm them before you drive out.

Paying for Child Care in Wyoming

Cost is often the deciding factor. Wyoming families have a few routes to help, and it is worth checking each one before you commit to a program.

DFS runs a child care assistance program that helps eligible families pay for care while they work or attend school or training. Eligibility depends on household size, income and activity requirements, and the provider generally needs to meet the program's participation rules. Applications go through DFS, which has local field offices around the state. Call before you apply so you can bring the right paperwork, such as proof of income, identification and details about your child and provider.

Head Start offers another path for low-income families. These programs are free for eligible children and include education, health screening and family support. Our database includes Absaroka Head Start sites in Thermopolis and Lovell, as well as CDI Migrant Head Start on East 7th Street in Powell. Migrant and seasonal Head Start programs serve families whose work is agricultural and seasonal, and they often adapt their schedules to match.

Finally, ask each provider whether they offer sibling discounts, part-time schedules or payment plans. Small providers in particular are often willing to talk through options. Employers in Wyoming sometimes offer dependent care accounts as well, so check with your human resources office before the next enrollment period.

Licensed daycare and childcare programs in Wyoming 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 66 cities across Wyoming. They are spread across 23 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Cheyenne, Casper, Sheridan, reflecting population centers where working families have the greatest demand for licensed childcare options.

Families in Wyoming 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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Families in Wyoming 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 Wyoming to find the nearest location.

Daycare in Wyoming's Smaller Towns and Border Regions

Much of Wyoming's child care happens far from Cheyenne and Casper. In these towns, a single center or home provider may serve most of the local families, so personal contact counts for a lot.

Along the southern and eastern routes you will find programs such as Burkart's Busy Bods in Torrington, Piccadilly Play School in Wheatland and ABC Academy in Douglas. In the northern and central part of the state, Evonnes Child Care in Buffalo and Bright Beginnings Preschool/Child Care in Worland serve their communities. In the southwest, Sweetwater County includes Expedition Academy Child Care in Green River and Holy Spirit Catholic School in Rock Springs. Farther west, Lincoln County listings include Adventure Kids in Afton and Glenna And Her Crayon Kids in Kemmerer.

Other examples include Trinity Lutheran Preschool in Evanston, Cchec Kids Campus in Rawlins and Children's Discovery Center in Pinedale. A few listings, including Pinedale and Thermopolis, do not show a phone number in our records. For those, check with the town hall, a local school or the nearest DFS office for current contact details.

Distance is the main factor in rural areas. A program that looks close on a map may mean a long winter drive, and road closures can interrupt your routine. Ask providers how they handle severe weather, and keep a backup caregiver in mind. Many small-town programs also close for local holidays or school breaks, so request a written calendar when you enroll.

The Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) is the state agency responsible for child care. It certifies child care programs and administers the state's child care assistance program. Standards cover areas such as staff ratios, background checks and health and safety. Requirements vary by the type of program, so a home provider and a large center are treated differently. If you have a question about a specific provider, contact DFS directly. You can also ask the provider to show you their current certification before you enroll your child.

Start by asking the provider. A certified program should be able to tell you what type of certification it holds and show you the document. You can also call DFS to confirm the status and ask whether any concerns are on record. Do this before you pay a deposit. Some programs, such as Head Start sites or school-based preschools, may operate under different oversight, so ask which rules apply. A confident provider will answer these questions without hesitation and will expect you to ask them.

Yes. DFS operates a child care assistance program for eligible families who are working or attending school or training. Eligibility depends on household size, income and your activity, and your chosen provider generally has to take part in the program. Apply through DFS, which has local offices around the state. Call first to learn which documents to bring, such as proof of income and identification. Ask each daycare whether it accepts state assistance, because not every provider does, and confirm how any co-payment would work.

Our database includes Absaroka Head Start in Thermopolis on Warren Street and in Lovell on East Main Street. It also lists CDI Migrant Head Start on East 7th Street in Powell. Head Start is free for eligible low-income children and combines early learning with health screening and family support. Migrant programs serve families who do agricultural or seasonal work. Because enrollment rules depend on income and age, call the site to ask about eligibility, required documents and current openings. Operating hours may be shorter than a typical full workday.

As early as you can, especially for infants. Jackson has a tourism-driven economy and limited housing, so working parents compete for a small number of spots at places like Bright Beginnings Episcopal Preschool. Cheyenne has far more programs, but popular centers still keep waitlists. Call several providers at once, ask where you would be on the list, and ask when they usually confirm placements. If you are relocating for a job, begin your search before you arrive, and keep a second option in case your first choice falls through.

Widen your search to neighboring towns, but check the commute in winter before committing. Look at preschools tied to churches or schools, which may offer partial-day care you can combine with a family member or home provider. Contact DFS or your local school district for names of programs you may not have seen. Ask existing providers whether they know of an opening elsewhere, since small-town providers often know each other well. If you work for a large employer, ask whether it offers dependent care support.