Best Daycare Centers in Lawrence, KS

Parents highlight the friendly and loving staff as a key strength, noting that their children enjoyed attending and found the pricing reasonable. Reviewers also point to the center's active engagement with families through social media.

One parent describes Green Pastures Preschool as a highly qualified and engaging program where their daughter has learned significantly over two years. The reviewer highlights the exceptional Director and teachers, noting that the center goes above and beyond with diverse activities and family inclusion efforts.

Parents highlight the staff's responsiveness, detailed daily updates, and ability to connect with infants, noting that children enjoy their time at the center. While one reviewer acknowledges staffing challenges, they emphasize that the team provides excellent care and includes formula costs for infants.

One parent highlights the responsive staff and included formula, noting their daughter loves the environment despite some staffing challenges. Another review praises the friendly staff, lack of favoritism, and convenient location near K-10.

Community Children's Center at Edgewood is highly praised as a comprehensive family resource organization offering multiple services including free playgroups, parenting classes, a free clothing closet, and a developing Family Resource Center. Parents consistently highlight the caring staff, welcoming atmosphere, and genuine community support. The center is described as an invaluable resource for families with young children in the Lawrence/Douglas County area.

Community Children's Center is highly praised as an exceptional community resource offering free services and programs for families with young children in Lawrence/Douglas County. Parents consistently highlight the center's genuine care, helpful staff, and diverse offerings including playgroups, parenting classes, clothing closet, and a developing Family Resource Center. Families report feeling supported and grateful for the sense of community and accessible resources provided.

Parents highlight the center's strong community involvement and cooperative model, noting that teachers are experienced, patient, and affordable. One reviewer praises the unstructured outdoor learning and student choice, while another values the supportive network for navigating toddler years.

Parents describe the Montessori Children's House of Lawrence as a loving and emotionally supportive environment that fosters independence and curiosity through the Montessori method. Reviewers highlight the benefit of mixed-age classrooms where older students mentor younger ones, noting that full potty training is not required for enrollment.

Parents highlight the school's supportive environment, noting that both families and children enjoy the experience. Reviewers specifically appreciate the quality of the teaching staff and the overall care provided.

Parents consistently praise FPC First 5 Years for its caring and well-organized staff who create a warm, calm environment where children thrive. Multiple reviewers highlight strong kindergarten preparation, excellent communication, and children's genuine enjoyment of attending. The director's personal attention to each child and flexible program options (Kids Day Out, extended care) are particularly valued.

Parents highlight the friendly and loving nature of the staff, noting that their children enjoyed attending. Reviewers also appreciate the reasonable pricing and the engaging activities offered by the center.

Prairie Moon School is a Waldorf-based educational center in Lawrence, Kansas that receives universal praise from parents. The school emphasizes nature-based, screen-free learning with hands-on activities, outdoor play, and experiential education. Parents consistently highlight the caring teachers, strong sense of community, and their children's enthusiasm for attending.

Googols of Learning receives universal praise from parents, with all 10 reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the caring, communicative staff, strong kindergarten preparation, and nurturing environment that helps children develop confidence and a love of learning.

Googols of Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight the caring, communicative staff and nurturing environment. Parents report their children feel safe, loved, and well-prepared for kindergarten transitions. The center is noted for its research-based educational approach, healthy meals, and family engagement activities.

Lawrence Montessori School receives uniformly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, certified teachers and effective Montessori approach. Parents highlight their children's development of independence, academic skills, and enthusiasm for learning across all age groups from infancy through primary. The school's communication with parents and responsive leadership are consistently commended.

Lawrence Arts Center is highly regarded by parents for its diverse offerings including art classes, dance, music, theater, and exhibitions. Parents praise the quality instruction, friendly staff, and welcoming atmosphere that appeals to children and families of all ages. The center is described as a valuable community resource with engaging programming throughout the week.

The reviews provided are about Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lawrence, Kansas, not the daycare center. Reviews praise the church's welcoming congregation, faithful biblical teaching, and community involvement, but do not evaluate the childhood center's daycare services.

Elizabeth B Ballard Community Center receives consistently high praise from parents for its quality early education programs, caring staff, and comprehensive community support services. Parents highlight the warm, welcoming environment where children thrive and the center's exceptional ability to connect families with local resources and assistance. The facility is recognized as a valuable asset to the Lawrence community.

Several parents highlight the center's accommodating teachers and flexible hours for working families, noting that children thrive and learn effectively. However, one reviewer reports a negative experience regarding the center's handling of family emergencies.

One parent describes KIDTOPIA STATION as having a child-led curriculum with easy-going and flexible teachers. The reviewer notes that staff may initially appear unfriendly to adults because they are highly focused on the children.

First Step at Lakeview is an addiction recovery treatment facility (not a traditional daycare) that receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients. Participants report the program effectively supports recovery, with staff providing compassionate care and practical tools for long-term sobriety. Many graduates credit the facility with transforming their lives and maintaining years of continuous recovery.

Hilltop Child Development Center receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, with parents praising the quality of education, caring staff, and structured learning environment that goes beyond typical daycare. Parents report children develop strong language and social skills, experience low illness rates, and genuinely enjoy attending. The main drawback noted is a lengthy wait list with poor communication and prioritization for KU-affiliated families.

One parent reports being stuck on a waiting list since 2022 with no placement, only to be informed in 2025 that their child has aged out of services. The reviewer characterizes this outcome as discrimination, citing the center's handling of their Tricare insurance status as a primary grievance.

One parent reports being stuck on a waiting list since 2022 with no placement despite repeated inquiries about insurance. The reviewer states they were eventually informed their child is now too old for services, alleging discrimination.

Princeton Childrens Center receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise attentive staff, clean facilities, good communication, and well-cared-for children. Negative reviews cite significant concerns including staff unprofessionalism, safety issues, high turnover, poor management, and incidents of neglect.

Parents highlight a warm, family-like atmosphere and caring staff, with one noting the center's affordability and flexibility for infants. However, other feedback points to significant concerns regarding safety violations, lack of curriculum for older children, and staff negligence.

The reviews provided do not appear to be from parents of daycare attendees, but rather from church members evaluating the worship experience. Reviews praise the music program and facilities, though engagement levels vary among members.