Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Sanford, ME

Compare 8 daycare centers in Sanford. Average rating: 4.46/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Sanford, Maine at a glance

Daycares
8
Avg rating
4.46/5
Parent reviews
86
Top rated (4.5+)
4

Sanford has 8 licensed daycares with 86 parent reviews averaging 4.46/5.The highest-rated options cluster around the 04073 zip code, averaging 4.46 stars across 8 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Sanford

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
    Curtis Lake Early Learning Center
    4.64 score
    4.8(20)

    38 Westview Drive, Sanford, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 120 children

    Curtis Lake Early Learning Center is a church-based facility in Sanford, Maine that receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the welcoming community atmosphere, quality childcare and kids' programs, and the integration of faith-based education. Parents appreciate the friendly staff, variety of activities, and services offered.

    welcoming communitycaring staffquality childcaremusic programs
  2. 2
    Sanford Springvale Ymca
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    1 Emile Levasseur Drive, Sanford, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 128 children

    Note: Reviews appear to be for the YMCA facility rather than the daycare program specifically. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including the pool, gym, classes, and physical therapy services.

    Clean and well-maintained facilitieswelcoming and friendly staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible schedulingquality physical therapy services
  3. 3
    Sanford Springvale Ymca - North Parish
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    893 Main Street, Sanford, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 128 children

    This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, and physical therapy services.

    Welcoming and friendly staffclean and well-maintained facilitiesexcellent exercise classes with flexible schedulingquality physical therapy services
  4. 4
    Sanford Springvale Ymca @ Willard School
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    668 Main Street, Sanford, ME · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 49 children

    This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight excellent cleanliness, friendly and attentive staff, well-maintained facilities, and a strong sense of community. The YMCA offers diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, physical therapy services, and outdoor trails.

    Clean and well-maintained facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible schedulingquality physical therapy services
  5. 5
    Kidz Kove Childcare And Learning Center
    3.84 score
    3.7(6)

    890 Main Street, Sanford, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children

    Kidz Kove has mixed reviews with strong praise for staff quality from some parents, but serious concerns raised about owner communication, management practices, and child supervision. Three 5-star reviews highlight amazing staff and positive experiences, while three 1-star reviews cite poor owner communication, lack of transparency, false accusations, and inadequate supervision.

    Amazing and helpful staffchildren enjoy attendingpositive teaching experiences

Rating Distribution

Based on 5 daycares with Google ratings in Sanford

4.5 - 5.0
4
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 86 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Clean and well-maintained facilities
3
2Quality physical therapy services
3
3Beautiful pool
3
4Efficient locker rooms
3

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.42avg rating
5 daycares · 4 rated

Church Daycare

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Before or After School Daycare

4.6avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Sanford zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
040738
4.46
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Sanford (12–128 children)

Small

up to 30 children

1

Medium

31–75 children

3

Large

76–150 children

4

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Sanford based on parent reviews

Curtis Lake Early Learning Center

4.8(20)

38 Westview Drive, Sanford, ME

Curtis Lake Early Learning Center is a church-based facility in Sanford, Maine that receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the welcoming community atmosphere, quality childcare and kids' programs, and the integration of faith-based education. Parents appreciate the friendly staff, variety of activities, and services offered.

welcoming communitycaring staffquality childcare

Sanford Springvale Ymca

4.6(20)

1 Emile Levasseur Drive, Sanford, ME

Note: Reviews appear to be for the YMCA facility rather than the daycare program specifically. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including the pool, gym, classes, and physical therapy services.

Clean and well-maintained facilitieswelcoming and friendly staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling

Sanford Springvale Ymca - North Parish

4.6(20)

893 Main Street, Sanford, ME

This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, and physical therapy services.

Welcoming and friendly staffclean and well-maintained facilitiesexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling

Sanford Springvale Ymca @ Willard School

4.6(20)

668 Main Street, Sanford, ME

This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight excellent cleanliness, friendly and attentive staff, well-maintained facilities, and a strong sense of community. The YMCA offers diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, physical therapy services, and outdoor trails.

Clean and well-maintained facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling

Kidz Kove Childcare And Learning Center

3.7(6)

890 Main Street, Sanford, ME

Kidz Kove has mixed reviews with strong praise for staff quality from some parents, but serious concerns raised about owner communication, management practices, and child supervision. Three 5-star reviews highlight amazing staff and positive experiences, while three 1-star reviews cite poor owner communication, lack of transparency, false accusations, and inadequate supervision.

Amazing and helpful staffchildren enjoy attendingpositive teaching experiences

Map

Daycare types in Sanford

Child Daycare & Preschools 5Church Daycare 2Before or After School Daycare 1

Daycare Centers in Sanford, Maine

There are 8 daycare centers in Sanford, Maine. 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 Sanford have an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities, with 80% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.6 stars. Our analysis covers 86 parent reviews. Parents in Sanford most frequently praise daycares for clean and well-maintained facilities, quality physical therapy services, and beautiful pool.

When choosing a daycare in Sanford, 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 Sanford

Showing 8 results

Curtis Lake Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

Curtis Lake Early Learning Center is a church-based facility in Sanford, Maine that receives consistently high praise from parents. Reviews highlight the welcoming community atmosphere, quality childcare and kids' programs, and the integration of faith-based education. Parents appreciate the friendly staff, variety of activities, and services offered.

welcoming communitycaring staffquality childcare
Address
38 Westview Drive, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-0652
Sanford Springvale Ymca
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

Note: Reviews appear to be for the YMCA facility rather than the daycare program specifically. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including the pool, gym, classes, and physical therapy services.

Clean and well-maintained facilitieswelcoming and friendly staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling
Address
1 Emile Levasseur Drive, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-4942
Sanford Springvale Ymca - North Parish
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.6

This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight the cleanliness, friendly staff, well-maintained facilities, and diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, and physical therapy services.

Welcoming and friendly staffclean and well-maintained facilitiesexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling
Address
893 Main Street, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 651-5935
Sanford Springvale Ymca @ Willard School
Before or After School Daycare
4.6

This facility receives consistently high praise across all reviews. Parents and members highlight excellent cleanliness, friendly and attentive staff, well-maintained facilities, and a strong sense of community. The YMCA offers diverse amenities including a pool, gym, exercise classes, physical therapy services, and outdoor trails.

Clean and well-maintained facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffexcellent exercise classes with flexible scheduling
Address
668 Main Street, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-0652
Kidz Kove Childcare And Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7

Kidz Kove has mixed reviews with strong praise for staff quality from some parents, but serious concerns raised about owner communication, management practices, and child supervision. Three 5-star reviews highlight amazing staff and positive experiences, while three 1-star reviews cite poor owner communication, lack of transparency, false accusations, and inadequate supervision.

Amazing and helpful staffchildren enjoy attendingpositive teaching experiences
Address
890 Main Street, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-0652
Fraser-Ford Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
779 Country Club Road, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 490-6849
Sanford Christian Academy Day Care
Church Daycare
Address
68 High St, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-0652
St. Thomas School
Church Daycare
Address
69 North Ave, Sanford, ME
Phone
(207) 324-0652

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Frequently asked questions

There are 8 all daycares in Sanford, Maine. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Sanford have an average Google rating of 4.46 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities. About 80% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Sanford, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Maine's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Maine)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Sanford offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 5 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 2 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 1 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 Maine 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 Sanford for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Sanford must be licensed by Maine'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.