Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Amherst, MA

Compare 15 daycare centers in Amherst. Average rating: 4.49/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Amherst, Massachusetts at a glance

Daycares
15
Avg rating
4.49/5
Parent reviews
45
Top rated (4.5+)
5

Amherst has 15 licensed daycares with 45 parent reviews averaging 4.49/5.5 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 50% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 01002 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 14 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Amherst

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
    Renaissance School INC.
    4.58 score
    5(7)

    867 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 20 children

    Renaissance School is a highly-rated part-time preschool in Amherst that uses a play-based, Reggio Emilia approach with small class sizes and strong teacher-to-student ratios. Parents praise the nurturing environment, personalized attention, affordability, diverse community, and the leadership of director Ms. Dotty Meyer. Children reportedly develop confidence, social skills, language abilities, and kindergarten readiness.

    Play-based learningsmall class sizes (12-14 children)high teacher-to-student ratioaffordability
  2. 2
    Spring Street Preschool
    4.11 score
    4.2(6)

    64 Spring St, Amherst, MA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 24 children

    Spring Street Preschool is highly regarded by parents for its play-based, interest-led curriculum and experienced teachers who create a warm, nurturing environment. Parents consistently praise the school's focus on fostering creativity, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness through engaging activities like journal storytelling and outdoor play.

    Experienced and attentive teachersplay-based and creative curriculumstudent-interest-guided learningwarm and nurturing environment
  3. 3
    All About Learning
    4 score
    4(12)

    7 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 19 children

    All About Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents report significant positive developmental changes in their children, strong communication from teachers, and a family-centered approach to care. The center is well-organized and prepared children academically and emotionally for kindergarten.

    Caring and patient teacherswelcoming environmentstrong communication with pa
  4. 4
    All About Learning
    4 score
    4(12)

    400 Riverglade Dr, Amherst, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 13 children

    All About Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children thrived emotionally and academically at the center. Parents consistently highlight the caring, attentive staff, excellent communication, welcoming environment, and strong preparation for kindergarten. One concern raised was excessive screen time during drop-off and pick-up.

    Caring and patient teachersexcellent communication with parentswelcoming environmentattention to d

Rating Distribution

Based on 10 daycares with Google ratings in Amherst

4.5 - 5.0
5
4.0 - 4.4
4
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Before or After School Daycare

4.8avg rating
7 daycares · 4 rated

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.14avg rating
7 daycares · 5 rated

Church Daycare

5avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Amherst zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0100214
4.43
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Amherst (13–99 children)

Small

up to 30 children

7

Medium

31–75 children

5

Large

76–150 children

3

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Amherst based on parent reviews

Renaissance School INC.

5(7)

867 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA

Renaissance School is a highly-rated part-time preschool in Amherst that uses a play-based, Reggio Emilia approach with small class sizes and strong teacher-to-student ratios. Parents praise the nurturing environment, personalized attention, affordability, diverse community, and the leadership of director Ms. Dotty Meyer. Children reportedly develop confidence, social skills, language abilities, and kindergarten readiness.

Play-based learningsmall class sizes (12-14 children)high teacher-to-student ratio

Hampshire College Children'S Center

5(2)

893 West St, Amherst, MA

Center For Early Education And Care - Umass/Amherst

5(1)

21 Clubhouse Dr, Amherst, MA

Capacidad - Fort River School

5(1)

70 South East St., Amherst, MA

Spring Street Preschool

4.2(6)

64 Spring St, Amherst, MA

Spring Street Preschool is highly regarded by parents for its play-based, interest-led curriculum and experienced teachers who create a warm, nurturing environment. Parents consistently praise the school's focus on fostering creativity, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness through engaging activities like journal storytelling and outdoor play.

Experienced and attentive teachersplay-based and creative curriculumstudent-interest-guided learning

All About Learning

4(12)

7 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, MA

All About Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents report significant positive developmental changes in their children, strong communication from teachers, and a family-centered approach to care. The center is well-organized and prepared children academically and emotionally for kindergarten.

Caring and patient teacherswelcoming environmentstrong communication with pa

Map

Daycare types in Amherst

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Church Daycare 1Before or After School Daycare 7

Daycare Centers in Amherst, Massachusetts

There are 15 daycare centers in Amherst, Massachusetts. 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 Amherst have an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 across 10 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 45 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Amherst, 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 Amherst

Showing 15 results

Community Action @ Amherst Community Child Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
61 Strong Street, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 548-1288
Renaissance School INC.
Church Daycare
5

Renaissance School is a highly-rated part-time preschool in Amherst that uses a play-based, Reggio Emilia approach with small class sizes and strong teacher-to-student ratios. Parents praise the nurturing environment, personalized attention, affordability, diverse community, and the leadership of director Ms. Dotty Meyer. Children reportedly develop confidence, social skills, language abilities, and kindergarten readiness.

Play-based learningsmall class sizes (12-14 children)high teacher-to-student ratio
Address
867 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 548-9696
Hampshire College Children'S Center
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
893 West St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 559-5706
Center For Early Education And Care - Umass/Amherst
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
21 Clubhouse Dr, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 545-1566
Capacidad - Fort River School
Before or After School Daycare
5
Address
70 South East St., Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 253-5659
Spring Street Preschool
Before or After School Daycare
4.2

Spring Street Preschool is highly regarded by parents for its play-based, interest-led curriculum and experienced teachers who create a warm, nurturing environment. Parents consistently praise the school's focus on fostering creativity, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness through engaging activities like journal storytelling and outdoor play.

Experienced and attentive teachersplay-based and creative curriculumstudent-interest-guided learning
Address
64 Spring St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 256-8442
All About Learning
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

All About Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. Parents report significant positive developmental changes in their children, strong communication from teachers, and a family-centered approach to care. The center is well-organized and prepared children academically and emotionally for kindergarten.

Caring and patient teacherswelcoming environmentstrong communication with pa
Address
7 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 256-0013
All About Learning
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

All About Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children thrived emotionally and academically at the center. Parents consistently highlight the caring, attentive staff, excellent communication, welcoming environment, and strong preparation for kindergarten. One concern raised was excessive screen time during drop-off and pick-up.

Caring and patient teachersexcellent communication with parentswelcoming environment
Address
400 Riverglade Dr, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 835-0467
Woodside Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

One parent highlights the quality of the teaching staff, while others report significant administrative failures, including cashing application checks without follow-up and a complete lack of communication regarding enrollment status. These conflicting experiences suggest potential reliability issues despite positive feedback on staff.

great teachers
Address
155 Woodside Ave, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 253-2604
Cushman Scott Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7
Address
71 Henry St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 549-1167
Primetime @ Wildwood Elementary School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
71 Strong St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 259-3065
Mark'S Meadow After School Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
71 Strong St., Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 549-8406
Amherst Montessori School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
27 Pomeroy Ln, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 253-3101
Community Action @ North Amherst
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
01200 Pleasant St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 475-1426
Prime Time At Crocker Farm Elementary School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
280 West St, Amherst, MA
Phone
(413) 259-3065

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Frequently asked questions

There are 15 all daycares in Amherst, Massachusetts. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Amherst have an average Google rating of 4.49 out of 5 across 10 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Amherst, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Massachusetts's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Massachusetts)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Amherst offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 7 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 Massachusetts 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 Amherst for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Amherst must be licensed by Massachusetts'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.