Childcare & Daycare workers compensation in Washington
Washington is a monopolistic state fund (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)), so class-by-class Childcare & Daycare rates are available only via the state fund, not in public filings. As a national reference, Childcare & Daycare workers comp runs a median of $4.46 per $100 of payroll, with a range of $1.89 to $4.72 across reporting states. Washington caps weekly benefits at $2,338 with a 1-year statute of limitations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Childcare & Daycare rate context for Washington
Washington does not publish class-by-class loss costs publicly, but Childcare & Daycare rates from comparable reporting states give you a useful planning range. Use the national rate range below as a baseline; your actual quote depends on payroll size, loss history, and your specific NCCI class code.
| Childcare & Daycare class code | Typical occupation | National median | National range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9059 | Day care | $4.46 | $1.89 - $4.72 |
Washington compliance for Childcare & Daycare employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage.
1099 vs W-2 in Childcare & Daycare
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in Washington. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$2,338 at 60% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-01.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date in Washington.
Audit window
Washington carriers audit payroll L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. Keep Childcare & Daycare payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.
Cross-cite: full Washington workers comp overview · Childcare & Daycare cross-state rate comparison · Washington workers comp lawyer guide · Washington settlement chart
Estimate your Childcare & Daycare premium in Washington
Pre-filled to Childcare & Daycare and Washington. Adjust payroll to see a real premium range from filed rates.
Estimate your workers comp premium
Pick your industry, state, and annual payroll. Range comes from real rate filings.
Filing checklist for Childcare & Daycare businesses in Washington
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with one or more employees must provide workers' compensation coverage. For Childcare & Daycare operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.
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Step 2, Pick the right class code
Childcare & Daycare businesses typically use codes like 9059. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. Across reporting states, Childcare & Daycare median rates run $4.46 per $100 with a range of $1.89 to $4.72.
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Step 3, Get a quote
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is one option in Washington; private carriers (Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, AmTrust) also write coverage. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
General contractors are generally responsible for ensuring subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage; otherwise, the general contractor may be liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees. Childcare & Daycare operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.
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Step 5, Annual audit
Carriers audit payroll L&I can audit at any time to verify payroll and classification.. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll. Childcare & Daycare class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Childcare & Daycare workers comp FAQs in Washington
Why aren't Childcare & Daycare workers comp rates published for Washington?
Washington is a monopolistic state fund. Class-by-class rate data for this state is available through the rating bureau or licensed brokers. For a national reference, Childcare & Daycare median rates run $4.46 per $100 of payroll across all reporting states, with a typical range of $1.89 to $4.72.
How can a Childcare & Daycare business in Washington get a real quote?
Get a quote from any private carrier licensed in Washington or the state fund (Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)). Provide your annual payroll, ownership structure, and your current Childcare & Daycare class code. Most carriers will return a binding quote within 24-48 hours.
Are Childcare & Daycare 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Washington?
Washington has strict criteria for independent contractor status; workers are presumed employees unless specific conditions are met, making misclassification a significant risk.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Childcare & Daycare worker in Washington?
Washington caps weekly workers comp benefits at $2,338 (effective 2025-07-01), calculated as 60% of the average weekly wage. Childcare & Daycare workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Childcare & Daycare worker have to file a comp claim in Washington?
The statute of limitations in Washington is 1 year from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Childcare & Daycare workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Childcare & Daycare business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in Washington?
Yes, Washington allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Childcare & Daycare owner-operators often elect out to keep premium below the minimum. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required, and LLC member self-coverage is not required.