Children at daycare

Best Daycare Centers in Athens, OH

Compare 11 daycare centers in Athens. Average rating: 3.63/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Athens, Ohio at a glance

Daycares
11
Avg rating
3.63/5
Parent reviews
42
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Athens has 11 licensed daycares with 42 parent reviews averaging 3.63/5.The largest concentration is in 45701 with 11 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Athens

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
    Athens Community Center
    4.4 score
    4.5(20)

    701 E State Street, Athens, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 99 children

    These reviews do not pertain to daycare services. The Athens Community Center is a recreational facility offering gym equipment, sports activities, and community gatherings. Reviews praise the clean facilities, friendly staff, affordable pricing, and diverse amenities.

    Clean facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffaffordable membership optionsdiverse activities (gym
  2. 2
    Athens Church Of Christ Preschool
    3.93 score
    3.9(12)

    785 W Union St, Athens, OH · Church Daycare · Capacity: 78 children

    Athens Church of Christ Preschool receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the caring staff and developmental benefits for their children, one reviewer reported serious concerns about child neglect and inadequate supervision.

    Caring and compassionate staffchild development and learningconfident in staff qualitywelcoming community meals
  3. 3
    Stages Early Learning Center
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    817c West Union St, Athens, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Stages Early Learning Center receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the caring staff, engaging activities, and supportive environment for their children. However, a few parents report negative experiences with management and facility conditions.

    Caring and loving teachers and staffengaging daily activities and lessonsattentive directorchildren feel safe and confident

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Athens

4.5 - 5.0
2
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
4
Below 3
1

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.1avg rating
9 daycares · 5 rated

Church Daycare

3.9avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Headstart Programs

1avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Athens zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
4570111
3.63
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Athens (30–99 children)

Small

up to 30 children

1

Medium

31–75 children

2

Large

76–150 children

3

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Athens based on parent reviews

Athens Community Center

4.5(20)

701 E State Street, Athens, OH

These reviews do not pertain to daycare services. The Athens Community Center is a recreational facility offering gym equipment, sports activities, and community gatherings. Reviews praise the clean facilities, friendly staff, affordable pricing, and diverse amenities.

Clean facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffaffordable membership options

The Growing Tree Preschool

5

2 S College St, Athens, OH

Ohio University Child Development Center

3.6(1)

Building 27, Athens, OH

One parent reports a negative experience, stating that most teachers are very mean and declaring they will not return. The review highlights a lack of staff warmth and care as a primary concern.

Athens Church Of Christ Preschool

3.9(12)

785 W Union St, Athens, OH

Athens Church of Christ Preschool receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the caring staff and developmental benefits for their children, one reviewer reported serious concerns about child neglect and inadequate supervision.

Caring and compassionate staffchild development and learningconfident in staff quality

Nova Learning Center

3.7(3)

9111 W Bentbrook Lane, Athens, OH

Feedback for Nova Learning Center is polarized, with some parents highlighting exceptional staff warmth and communication, while others report severe unprofessionalism and inappropriate behavior by leadership. One reviewer notes the staff's patience and kindness made them feel at ease as a new mother, whereas another alleges the owner made unprofessional comments about their child and displayed hostile behavior.

helpful and warm-hearted staffpatient and friendly teachersexcellent communication

Stages Early Learning Center

3.7(5)

817c West Union St, Athens, OH

Stages Early Learning Center receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the caring staff, engaging activities, and supportive environment for their children. However, a few parents report negative experiences with management and facility conditions.

Caring and loving teachers and staffengaging daily activities and lessonsattentive director

Map

Daycare types in Athens

Child Daycare & Preschools 9Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 1

Daycare Centers in Athens, Ohio

There are 11 daycare centers in Athens, Ohio. 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 Athens have an average rating of 3.63 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 29% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.1 stars. Our analysis covers 42 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Athens, 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 Athens

Showing 11 results

The Growing Tree Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
2 S College St, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 593-3977
Athens Community Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

These reviews do not pertain to daycare services. The Athens Community Center is a recreational facility offering gym equipment, sports activities, and community gatherings. Reviews praise the clean facilities, friendly staff, affordable pricing, and diverse amenities.

Clean facilitiesfriendly and welcoming staffaffordable membership options
Address
701 E State Street, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 592-3325
Athens Church Of Christ Preschool
Church Daycare
3.9

Athens Church of Christ Preschool receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the caring staff and developmental benefits for their children, one reviewer reported serious concerns about child neglect and inadequate supervision.

Caring and compassionate staffchild development and learningconfident in staff quality
Address
785 W Union St, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 594-6404
Stages Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7

Stages Early Learning Center receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the caring staff, engaging activities, and supportive environment for their children. However, a few parents report negative experiences with management and facility conditions.

Caring and loving teachers and staffengaging daily activities and lessonsattentive director
Address
817c West Union St, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 593-5700
Nova Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7

Feedback for Nova Learning Center is polarized, with some parents highlighting exceptional staff warmth and communication, while others report severe unprofessionalism and inappropriate behavior by leadership. One reviewer notes the staff's patience and kindness made them feel at ease as a new mother, whereas another alleges the owner made unprofessional comments about their child and displayed hostile behavior.

helpful and warm-hearted staffpatient and friendly teachersexcellent communication
Address
9111 W Bentbrook Lane, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 592-3744
Ohio University Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.6

One parent reports a negative experience, stating that most teachers are very mean and declaring they will not return. The review highlights a lack of staff warmth and care as a primary concern.

Address
Building 27, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 593-1819
Athens Head Start
Headstart Programs
1

One parent reports significant operational issues with bus scheduling, citing instances where drivers waited 10 to 15 minutes for late arrivals and blocked a road. The reviewer criticizes the lack of accountability for parents' tardiness, arguing that this approach fails to teach children time management.

Address
507 Richland Ave, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 592-1124
Blooming View Montessori Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
215 Columbus Road, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 590-8272
Francine C. Childs Early Learning Center L.L.C.
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
9322 Johnson Road, Athens, OH
Phone
(740) 447-9501
Ledger'S After School
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
41 Central Avenue, Athens, OH
Phone
(917) 733-0081
Beacon School
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
801 W Union St, Athens, OH
Phone
NOT AVAILABLE

Page 1 of 1· 11 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 11 all daycares in Athens, Ohio. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Athens have an average Google rating of 3.63 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 29% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Athens, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Ohio's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Ohio)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Athens offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 9 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church 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 Ohio 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 Athens for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Athens must be licensed by Ohio'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.