
Compare 36 daycare centers in Evanston. Average rating: 4.56/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Evanston has 36 licensed daycares with 264 parent reviews averaging 4.56/5.15 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 71% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 60202 (avg 4.69 stars), while 60201 has the largest selection (21 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
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.
516 Church St, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 75 children
The Total Child Center in Evanston receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, professional staff and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight strong curriculum implementation, excellent parent communication, and notable developmental gains in their children's social-emotional learning and overall growth.
2515 Central Park, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 54 children
Northminster Nursery School in Evanston receives consistently high praise from parents across all reviews. Parents highlight the caring and experienced staff, play-based curriculum, strong community atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities as standout features. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show developmental growth in confidence, creativity, and social skills.
3637 Golf Rd, Evanston, IL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 51 children
Covenant Nursery School is a highly-rated nature-focused preschool in Evanston where parents consistently praise the warm, nurturing teaching staff and developmentally-attuned approach to learning. The facility features excellent outdoor and indoor play spaces, offers enrichment classes, and fosters a strong supportive community among families. Parents report their children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in preparation for kindergarten.
1501 Howard St, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 76 children
Toddler Town in Evanston receives universal 5/5 star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, effective communication through daily updates, and children's enthusiasm about attending. Multiple reviewers report their children thrived academically and developmentally while feeling loved and secure.
1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 110 children
School for Little Children of Evanston receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all reviewers, who praise the nurturing, play-based learning environment and caring staff. Parents report significant positive transformations in their children's development, confidence, and social-emotional growth. The school is described as a warm, close-knit community with strong teacher-child relationships.
1418 Lake Street, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 116 children
Warren W. Cherry Preschool receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, passionate staff and strong sense of community. Parents consistently highlight individualized attention to children's needs, creative curriculum, and successful kindergarten transitions. The school offers flexible programming options and maintains an inclusive environment that welcomes children with diverse learning styles and needs.
827 Foster St, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children
Parents consistently praise Unity Nursery School as a warm, inclusive, and community-focused preschool with exceptional staff and strong developmental outcomes for children. Multiple reviewers highlight the school's play-based approach, outdoor time, excellent communication, and the meaningful friendships families develop with other parents. Children show notable growth in language, social-emotional skills, and independence.
1701 Main St, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 55 children
This facility receives universal praise for its extensive amenities and cleanliness. Parents highlight the new building as a significant upgrade with excellent recreational facilities, friendly and professional staff, and well-maintained spaces.
425 Dempster, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 61 children
Chiaravalle Montessori School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the responsive, individualized approach to education and strong sense of community. Teachers are described as caring and engaged, and families report positive social and academic development. One review gave a 1/5 rating with no explanation.
1840 Asbury Avenue, Evanston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children
Parents consistently praise Child Care Center Inc. for its child-centric, nurturing approach and caring staff who know each child individually. The center is noted for its dynamic curriculum, developmental expertise, inclusive community, and responsive administration. Multiple parents report significant positive behavioral and emotional changes in their children.
Based on 21 daycares with Google ratings in Evanston
Top qualities mentioned across 264 reviews, analyzed by AI
Average ratings by facility type in Evanston, based on parent reviews
Evanston zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60202 | 14 | 4.69 | 6 | |
| 60201 | 21 | 4.43 | 8 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in Evanston (23–321 children)
Small
up to 30 children
4
Medium
31–75 children
22
Large
76–150 children
8
Very Large
150+ children
2
Highest rated daycares in Evanston based on parent reviews
516 Church St, Evanston, IL
The Total Child Center in Evanston receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, professional staff and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight strong curriculum implementation, excellent parent communication, and notable developmental gains in their children's social-emotional learning and overall growth.
2515 Central Park, Evanston, IL
Northminster Nursery School in Evanston receives consistently high praise from parents across all reviews. Parents highlight the caring and experienced staff, play-based curriculum, strong community atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities as standout features. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show developmental growth in confidence, creativity, and social skills.
3637 Golf Rd, Evanston, IL
Covenant Nursery School is a highly-rated nature-focused preschool in Evanston where parents consistently praise the warm, nurturing teaching staff and developmentally-attuned approach to learning. The facility features excellent outdoor and indoor play spaces, offers enrichment classes, and fosters a strong supportive community among families. Parents report their children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in preparation for kindergarten.
1501 Howard St, Evanston, IL
Toddler Town in Evanston receives universal 5/5 star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, effective communication through daily updates, and children's enthusiasm about attending. Multiple reviewers report their children thrived academically and developmentally while feeling loved and secure.
1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL
School for Little Children of Evanston receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all reviewers, who praise the nurturing, play-based learning environment and caring staff. Parents report significant positive transformations in their children's development, confidence, and social-emotional growth. The school is described as a warm, close-knit community with strong teacher-child relationships.
1418 Lake Street, Evanston, IL
Warren W. Cherry Preschool receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, passionate staff and strong sense of community. Parents consistently highlight individualized attention to children's needs, creative curriculum, and successful kindergarten transitions. The school offers flexible programming options and maintains an inclusive environment that welcomes children with diverse learning styles and needs.
There are 36 daycare centers in Evanston, Illinois. 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 Evanston have an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 across 21 rated facilities, with 71% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 264 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Evanston, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 36 results
The Total Child Center in Evanston receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, professional staff and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight strong curriculum implementation, excellent parent communication, and notable developmental gains in their children's social-emotional learning and overall growth.
School for Little Children of Evanston receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all reviewers, who praise the nurturing, play-based learning environment and caring staff. Parents report significant positive transformations in their children's development, confidence, and social-emotional growth. The school is described as a warm, close-knit community with strong teacher-child relationships.
Parents highlight the Green Room's significant positive impact on their children, noting improvements in social skills and academic readiness through a play-based curriculum. Reviewers emphasize the staff's friendliness and informative communication, describing the environment as fun, caring, and supportive of independent exploration.
Warren W. Cherry Preschool receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, passionate staff and strong sense of community. Parents consistently highlight individualized attention to children's needs, creative curriculum, and successful kindergarten transitions. The school offers flexible programming options and maintains an inclusive environment that welcomes children with diverse learning styles and needs.
One parent describes the center as a top-notch private school for children aged 3-6, emphasizing a curriculum that focuses on fostering a love and appreciation for learning. The review highlights an educational approach centered on the art of learning rather than traditional academic drilling.
Northminster Nursery School in Evanston receives consistently high praise from parents across all reviews. Parents highlight the caring and experienced staff, play-based curriculum, strong community atmosphere, and well-maintained facilities as standout features. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show developmental growth in confidence, creativity, and social skills.
Covenant Nursery School is a highly-rated nature-focused preschool in Evanston where parents consistently praise the warm, nurturing teaching staff and developmentally-attuned approach to learning. The facility features excellent outdoor and indoor play spaces, offers enrichment classes, and fosters a strong supportive community among families. Parents report their children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in preparation for kindergarten.
Toddler Town in Evanston receives universal 5/5 star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents highlight strong teacher-child relationships, effective communication through daily updates, and children's enthusiasm about attending. Multiple reviewers report their children thrived academically and developmentally while feeling loved and secure.
One parent notes their daughter attended preschool and the community is loving and inviting, while another describes a warm, spiritual atmosphere. A third review mentions a beautiful service, though a fourth expresses disappointment regarding a former rabbi's departure and the synagogue's perceived distance.
Parents consistently praise Unity Nursery School as a warm, inclusive, and community-focused preschool with exceptional staff and strong developmental outcomes for children. Multiple reviewers highlight the school's play-based approach, outdoor time, excellent communication, and the meaningful friendships families develop with other parents. Children show notable growth in language, social-emotional skills, and independence.
Chiaravalle Montessori School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the responsive, individualized approach to education and strong sense of community. Teachers are described as caring and engaged, and families report positive social and academic development. One review gave a 1/5 rating with no explanation.
Parents express deep gratitude for the supportive and warm environment that helped their families heal and transition smoothly, while one reviewer alleges serious safety failures including non-functional cameras, staff turnover, and neglect of a child's hygiene. Positive feedback highlights dedicated teachers and inclusive programming, whereas negative concerns focus on alleged aggressive behavior, lack of transparency, and inadequate facility maintenance.
This facility receives universal praise for its extensive amenities and cleanliness. Parents highlight the new building as a significant upgrade with excellent recreational facilities, friendly and professional staff, and well-maintained spaces.
Parents consistently praise Child Care Center Inc. for its child-centric, nurturing approach and caring staff who know each child individually. The center is noted for its dynamic curriculum, developmental expertise, inclusive community, and responsive administration. Multiple parents report significant positive behavioral and emotional changes in their children.
Parents highlight the nurturing environment and low teacher-to-child ratios, noting that their infants and toddlers are flourishing and developing politeness and early education skills. Feedback emphasizes the staff's dedication and the smooth experience for families starting from as early as eight weeks old.
Parents generally praise the school's learning environment, teachers, and programs, with most giving perfect ratings. However, there is one serious concern about administrative handling of bullying and safety issues, and another complaint about food quality.
A Step by Step Learning Academy receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with 9 out of 10 recent reviews giving 5-star ratings. Parents consistently praise the caring and nurturing environment, skilled staff, responsive director Joy, individualized attention to children's needs, and strong educational outcomes. One negative review cited rude employees and unfair pricing, contrasting sharply with the majority experience.
Parents highlight the facility's play-based curriculum and enthusiastic staff, with one noting significant developmental benefits for their child. Conversely, other reviewers report severe safety concerns, including staff negligence and unresponsiveness during tour scheduling.
One parent highlights the facility's appeal to teenagers, noting that they would enroll their child there if they were a teen. The review expresses a positive sentiment regarding the program's suitability for this age group. No specific complaints or negative aspects were mentioned in the single available review.
Parents consistently praise KinderCare Evanston for its warm, family-like environment and caring staff. Director Ms. Nikki (also referred to as Nicole Burgest) is frequently highlighted as transformative leadership that significantly improved the center. Children show strong developmental, social, and academic growth, with parents feeling confident and at ease leaving their children in this facility's care.
Parents consistently praise Childtime of Evanston as an excellent daycare with caring, attentive staff and a nurturing learning environment. Children show improved social skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for attending. The facility is noted for its quality meal program, strong communication, and safe atmosphere.
McGaw YMCA Child Care Center in Evanston receives mostly positive reviews (5 five-star ratings, 1 four-star, 1 three-star, 1 one-star). Parents consistently praise the caring and dedicated staff, diverse community, and unique programming including swim lessons and gym class. Some concerns were raised about building condition, staff qualifications, and occasional unprofessionalism.
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