Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Exeter, NH

Compare 9 daycare centers in Exeter. Average rating: 4.38/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Exeter, New Hampshire at a glance

Daycares
9
Avg rating
4.38/5
Parent reviews
64
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Exeter has 9 licensed daycares with 64 parent reviews averaging 4.38/5.The largest concentration is in 03833 with 9 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Exeter

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
    Southern District Ymca School'S Out - Ecca
    4.08 score
    4.1(20)

    30 Linden Street, Exeter, NH · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

    Parents consistently praise the Exeter Area YMCA's clean facilities, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and variety of amenities including fitness equipment, group exercise classes, and recreational activities. The facility is described as a safe, positive environment suitable for families and after-school care. One reviewer noted occasional crowding and inconsistent cleaning by younger staff.

    Excellent staffclean facilitiessafe environmentvariety of fitness equ
  2. 2
    Exeter Day School
    3.77 score
    3.6(7)

    11 Marlboro Street, Exeter, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Exeter Day School receives mixed reviews with strong praise from satisfied families highlighting caring staff, enriching curriculum, and a nurturing environment, but serious concerns raised by other parents regarding administrative fairness, director conduct, and safety issues.

    Caring and experienced staffwarm and welcoming atmospherediverse curriculum including music and gymnasticswell-designed classrooms encouraging curiosity and independence

Rating Distribution

Based on 4 daycares with Google ratings in Exeter

4.5 - 5.0
2
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 64 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Safe and nurturing environment
3

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.47avg rating
7 daycares · 3 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4.1avg rating
2 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Exeter zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
038339
4.38
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Exeter (– children)

Small

up to 30 children

0

Medium

31–75 children

0

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Exeter based on parent reviews

Appleseeds Day School

4.8(3)

15 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH

Parents describe Appleseeds Day School as a safe, high-quality NAEYC-accredited environment where teachers are kind, caring, and supportive of families. Reviewers highlight excellent communication and their children's happiness and excitement about attending. One parent notes they delayed enrolling for nearly four years, though no specific operational complaints were raised.

NAEYC accreditationsafe environment during the pandemickind and caring teachers

Harris Family Children'S Center - Phillips Exeter Academy

5(1)

261 Water Street, Exeter, NH

One parent describes the experience at Harris Family Children's Center as good. This single review provides limited insight into the center's overall operations.

Good

Southern District Ymca School'S Out - Ecca

4.1(20)

30 Linden Street, Exeter, NH

Parents consistently praise the Exeter Area YMCA's clean facilities, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and variety of amenities including fitness equipment, group exercise classes, and recreational activities. The facility is described as a safe, positive environment suitable for families and after-school care. One reviewer noted occasional crowding and inconsistent cleaning by younger staff.

Excellent staffclean facilitiessafe environment

Exeter Day School

3.6(7)

11 Marlboro Street, Exeter, NH

Exeter Day School receives mixed reviews with strong praise from satisfied families highlighting caring staff, enriching curriculum, and a nurturing environment, but serious concerns raised by other parents regarding administrative fairness, director conduct, and safety issues.

Caring and experienced staffwarm and welcoming atmospherediverse curriculum including music and gymnastics

Map

Daycare types in Exeter

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Before or After School Daycare 2

Daycare Centers in Exeter, New Hampshire

There are 9 daycare centers in Exeter, New Hampshire. 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 Exeter have an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.47 stars. Our analysis covers 64 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Exeter, 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 Exeter

Showing 9 results

Harris Family Children'S Center - Phillips Exeter Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent describes the experience at Harris Family Children's Center as good. This single review provides limited insight into the center's overall operations.

Good
Address
261 Water Street, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 777-3160
Appleseeds Day School
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

Parents describe Appleseeds Day School as a safe, high-quality NAEYC-accredited environment where teachers are kind, caring, and supportive of families. Reviewers highlight excellent communication and their children's happiness and excitement about attending. One parent notes they delayed enrolling for nearly four years, though no specific operational complaints were raised.

NAEYC accreditationsafe environment during the pandemickind and caring teachers
Address
15 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 772-9995
Southern District Ymca School'S Out - Ecca
Before or After School Daycare
4.1

Parents consistently praise the Exeter Area YMCA's clean facilities, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and variety of amenities including fitness equipment, group exercise classes, and recreational activities. The facility is described as a safe, positive environment suitable for families and after-school care. One reviewer noted occasional crowding and inconsistent cleaning by younger staff.

Excellent staffclean facilitiessafe environment
Address
30 Linden Street, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 642-3361
Exeter Day School
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.6

Exeter Day School receives mixed reviews with strong praise from satisfied families highlighting caring staff, enriching curriculum, and a nurturing environment, but serious concerns raised by other parents regarding administrative fairness, director conduct, and safety issues.

Caring and experienced staffwarm and welcoming atmospherediverse curriculum including music and gymnastics
Address
11 Marlboro Street, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 772-3342
The Montessori School Of Exeter
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
307 Epping Road, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 772-5558
Great Bay Kids' Company
Child Daycare & Preschools

Great Bay Kids' Company in Exeter receives consistently positive reviews from parents and grandparents. Reviewers praise the caring, nurturing staff who treat families like their own, with many noting that children are happy and well-prepared for school. The facility is described as safe, professional, and offering quality education and development.

caring and loving stafffamily-like atmospherelong-term dedicated employees
Address
25 Lincoln Street, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 772-4132
Great Bay Kids' Company
Child Daycare & Preschools

Great Bay Kids' Company in Exeter receives consistently high praise from parents and grandparents. Reviewers emphasize the caring, nurturing staff, safe environment, and quality educational programs. Multiple reviewers note long-tenured employees and children's happiness and preparedness for school.

caring and loving staffsafe and nurturing environmentquality education and learning
Address
64 Epping Road, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 772-4132
Great Bay Kids' Company
Before or After School Daycare

Great Bay Kids' Company in Exeter receives consistently excellent reviews with a perfect 5/5 rating across all submissions. Parents and grandparents praise the caring, nurturing staff who create a safe, family-like environment where children are happy and well-prepared for school.

Dedicated and caring staffsome with 20+ years tenuresafe and nurturing environment
Address
40 Main Street, Elementary School, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 770-5057
Little Munchkins Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
134 Portsmouth Avenue, Exeter, NH
Phone
(603) 580-2010

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Frequently asked questions

There are 9 all daycares in Exeter, New Hampshire. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Exeter have an average Google rating of 4.38 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Exeter, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with New Hampshire's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in New Hampshire)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Exeter offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 2 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 New Hampshire 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 Exeter for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Exeter must be licensed by New Hampshire'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.