Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Waterbury, CT

Compare 21 daycare centers in Waterbury. Average rating: 3.99/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Waterbury, Connecticut at a glance

Daycares
21
Avg rating
3.99/5
Parent reviews
125
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Waterbury has 21 licensed daycares with 125 parent reviews averaging 3.99/5.86% are child daycare & preschools, the dominant program type in Waterbury.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Waterbury

Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.

  1. 1

    136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 224 children

    Parents praise the Waterbury YMCA Child Care Center's preschool program, highlighting strong teacher communication, individualized student support, and a nurturing environment where children thrive. The facility is noted as clean and well-maintained with excellent staff who are patient and helpful.

    Patient and understanding teachersstrong parent communicationindividualized learning techniquesclean facility
  2. 2

    120 Store Ave, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 56 children

    Parents consistently praise Toddler Town as an excellent childcare facility with deeply committed staff and strong developmental focus. Children show measurable academic and social progress, and parents report feeling confident and at ease leaving their children in care. The center prioritizes safety, cleanliness, and transparent communication with families.

    Caring and passionate staffstrong academic progress (writingreadingearly literacy)
  3. 3

    222 W Main St, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 70 children

    The Ark has mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents about caring teachers, quality education, and positive child development, but serious concerns from parents of children with special needs regarding accommodation, communication, and staff conduct.

    Caring and dedicated teachersstrong academic preparationclean and safe environmentexcellent parent communication
  4. 4

    444 North Main Street, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 322 children

    Muriel H Moore Child Development Center receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the staff and learning environment, multiple parents report serious concerns including staffing shortages leading to classroom instability, administrative disorganization, inconsistent enforcement of policies, and one incident involving a child injury.

    Caring and polite staffchildren enjoy teachersgood learning outcomes in first yearnice environment especially during summer
  5. 5

    2457 E Main St, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 67 children

    New Horizon Kids Academy receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise attentive staff, clean facilities, strong child care, and a safe location. Negative reviews criticize rigid payment policies, inflexible scheduling, unprofessional business practices, and reported rudeness from staff.

    Attentive and caring staffclean facilitysafe location away from trafficstrong child development
  6. 6
    Lighthouse Day Care
    3.16 score
    2.7(9)

    1245 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 77 children

    Lighthouse Day Care receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the caring staff, religious curriculum, developmental activities, and communication updates. Negative reviewers report severe understaffing, poor behavior management, safety concerns, insensitive management, and high employee turnover.

    caring and attentive staffclean environmentreligious/faith-based curriculumpreschool preparation activities (alphabet

Rating Distribution

Based on 14 daycares with Google ratings in Waterbury

4.5 - 5.0
3
4.0 - 4.4
5
3.0 - 3.9
5
Below 3
1

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 125 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Clean facility
3
2Caring staff
3
3Clean environment
3

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Waterbury, based on parent reviews

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Waterbury zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
067056
4.35
2
067085
3.57
0

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Waterbury (17–322 children)

Small

up to 30 children

4

Medium

31–75 children

8

Large

76–150 children

6

Very Large

150+ children

3

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Waterbury based on parent reviews

Waterbury Ymca Child Care Center

4.4(20)

136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT

Parents praise the Waterbury YMCA Child Care Center's preschool program, highlighting strong teacher communication, individualized student support, and a nurturing environment where children thrive. The facility is noted as clean and well-maintained with excellent staff who are patient and helpful.

Patient and understanding teachersstrong parent communicationindividualized learning techniques

Toddler Town - Childcare Campus & Lrng Ctr

4.4(14)

120 Store Ave, Waterbury, CT

Parents consistently praise Toddler Town as an excellent childcare facility with deeply committed staff and strong developmental focus. Children show measurable academic and social progress, and parents report feeling confident and at ease leaving their children in care. The center prioritizes safety, cleanliness, and transparent communication with families.

Caring and passionate staffstrong academic progress (writingreading

Easterseals Children'S Academy East Campus

5(2)

128 Avenue Of Industry, Waterbury, CT

One parent highlights the center's exceptional care for non-verbal children, noting that staff treat students with deep affection and provide significant educational support. Another reviewer describes the staff as highly pleasant and caring toward both children and families.

supportive care for non-verbal childrenaffectionate staffeducational value

Ark Child Development Center

5(2)

2030 E Main St, Waterbury, CT

Parents highlight the center's small, clean facility and describe staff member Miss Liss as caring, patient, and dedicated to children's learning and social development. Reviewers report that their children feel safe and happy, noting visible progress in their development.

Caring staffpatient teachersdedicated educators

The Ark Early Care & Education Center

4.3(8)

222 W Main St, Waterbury, CT

The Ark has mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents about caring teachers, quality education, and positive child development, but serious concerns from parents of children with special needs regarding accommodation, communication, and staff conduct.

Caring and dedicated teachersstrong academic preparationclean and safe environment

St Mary'S Hospital Child Development Center

4(2)

100 Jefferson Square, Waterbury, CT

One parent describes the center as very nice and comfortable, noting that staff handle a diverse range of children daily. Another reviewer expresses affection for the facility but highlights that appointment availability is limited.

nice environmentcomfortableappreciates staff handling diverse needs

Map

Browse by type in Waterbury

Daycare Centers in Waterbury, Connecticut

There are 21 daycare centers in Waterbury, Connecticut. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

Based on Google reviews, daycares in Waterbury have an average rating of 3.99 out of 5 across 14 rated facilities, with 21% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 3.99 stars. Our analysis covers 125 parent reviews. Parents in Waterbury most frequently praise daycares for clean facility, caring staff, and clean environment.

When choosing a daycare in Waterbury, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

All Daycare Centers in Waterbury

Showing 21 results

Easterseals Children'S Academy East Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent highlights the center's exceptional care for non-verbal children, noting that staff treat students with deep affection and provide significant educational support. Another reviewer describes the staff as highly pleasant and caring toward both children and families.

supportive care for non-verbal childrenaffectionate staffeducational value
Address
128 Avenue Of Industry, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 591-1814
Rainbow Academy INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
145 Bucks Hill Rd, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-7815
Ark Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Parents highlight the center's small, clean facility and describe staff member Miss Liss as caring, patient, and dedicated to children's learning and social development. Reviewers report that their children feel safe and happy, noting visible progress in their development.

Caring staffpatient teachersdedicated educators
Address
2030 E Main St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 591-8591
Toddler Town - Childcare Campus & Lrng Ctr
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.4

Parents consistently praise Toddler Town as an excellent childcare facility with deeply committed staff and strong developmental focus. Children show measurable academic and social progress, and parents report feeling confident and at ease leaving their children in care. The center prioritizes safety, cleanliness, and transparent communication with families.

Caring and passionate staffstrong academic progress (writingreading
Address
120 Store Ave, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 753-0728
Waterbury Ymca Child Care Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.4

Parents praise the Waterbury YMCA Child Care Center's preschool program, highlighting strong teacher communication, individualized student support, and a nurturing environment where children thrive. The facility is noted as clean and well-maintained with excellent staff who are patient and helpful.

Patient and understanding teachersstrong parent communicationindividualized learning techniques
Address
136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-2181
The Ark Early Care & Education Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

The Ark has mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents about caring teachers, quality education, and positive child development, but serious concerns from parents of children with special needs regarding accommodation, communication, and staff conduct.

Caring and dedicated teachersstrong academic preparationclean and safe environment
Address
222 W Main St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 757-9917
Easterseals Children Academy West Campus
Child Daycare & Preschools
4
Address
22 Tompkins St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 757-7012
St Mary'S Hospital Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

One parent describes the center as very nice and comfortable, noting that staff handle a diverse range of children daily. Another reviewer expresses affection for the facility but highlights that appointment availability is limited.

nice environmentcomfortableappreciates staff handling diverse needs
Address
100 Jefferson Square, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 709-6385
Muriel H Moore Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.9

Muriel H Moore Child Development Center receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the staff and learning environment, multiple parents report serious concerns including staffing shortages leading to classroom instability, administrative disorganization, inconsistent enforcement of policies, and one incident involving a child injury.

Caring and polite staffchildren enjoy teachersgood learning outcomes in first year
Address
444 North Main Street, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 759-0841
Team - Slocum Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.4

Feedback for this center is sharply divided, with one parent describing the staff as the best while another reports a severely negative attitude from the front desk personnel. Parents should be aware of potential interpersonal conflicts with administrative staff.

Best staff
Address
25 Rumford St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 757-8888
The Center For Early Childhood Education At Nvcc
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.4

Recent feedback highlights serious concerns regarding administrative leadership and safety protocols, with one parent alleging that the principal's actions have put children at risk and ignored parental requests. Another reviewer expresses strong dissatisfaction with the school's responsiveness, noting it caused their child to miss preschool and advising others against enrollment.

None mentioned
Address
750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 596-8604
Children'S Ctr Greater Waterbury Health Network
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.3

Some parents highlight the center's loving teachers, cleanliness, and strong infant program, while others report poor staff engagement and a hostile atmosphere. One review specifically criticizes a staff member's behavior and notes that teachers appear inactive with the children.

loving and caring teachersclean environmentgreat learning environment
Address
172 Grandview Ave, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 437-8969
New Horizon Kids Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
3

New Horizon Kids Academy receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise attentive staff, clean facilities, strong child care, and a safe location. Negative reviews criticize rigid payment policies, inflexible scheduling, unprofessional business practices, and reported rudeness from staff.

Attentive and caring staffclean facilitysafe location away from traffic
Address
2457 E Main St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 528-3235
Lighthouse Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.7

Lighthouse Day Care receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the caring staff, religious curriculum, developmental activities, and communication updates. Negative reviewers report severe understaffing, poor behavior management, safety concerns, insensitive management, and high employee turnover.

caring and attentive staffclean environmentreligious/faith-based curriculum
Address
1245 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 575-1385
Tinker After School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
809 Highland Ave, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-9622
Ymca Before/After School Program - Gilmartin
Before or After School Daycare
Address
94 Spring Lake Rd, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-9622
Catholic Charities Child Development Center- South Main Street
Child Daycare & Preschools

Catholic Charities Child Development Center receives consistently positive ratings from parents who praise the helpful services and staff. One long-term parent notes recent improvements under current leadership, though they mention past staffing challenges and concerns about medication management.

Helpful and reliable servicecaring staffprofessional and courteous team
Address
965 South Main Street, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 346-1301
Country Garden Day Care And Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools

Country Garden Day Care and Preschool receives consistent praise from parents for its caring and experienced staff, reasonable rates, and strong kindergarten preparation. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere, themed activities, and family events that make them feel included in their children's education.

Loving and supportive staffexperienced teachers with longevityreasonable rates
Address
250 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 574-4981
Greater Waterbury Ymca Chase After School Prog
Child Daycare & Preschools

Parents praise the Waterbury YMCA's preschool program for its attentive, patient teachers and strong parent communication. Children with learning challenges reportedly thrive due to individualized support. The facility also offers excellent general amenities including pools, fitness classes, and a clean, welcoming community environment.

Patient and understanding teachersindividualized instruction catered to children's needsstrong teacher-parent communication
Address
40 Woodtick Rd, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-9266
Little Bethel Childcare
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
30 Central Ave, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 808-6682
Generali Before And After School Program
Before or After School Daycare
Address
3196 E Main St, Waterbury, CT
Phone
(203) 754-9622

Page 1 of 1· 21 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 21 all daycares in Waterbury, Connecticut. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Waterbury have an average Google rating of 3.99 out of 5 across 14 rated facilities. About 21% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Waterbury, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Connecticut's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Connecticut)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Waterbury offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 18 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 3 facilities
Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.
Daycare costs in Connecticut typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Waterbury for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Waterbury must be licensed by Connecticut's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.