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134 Daycare Centers in Dayton, Ohio

Browse all 134 daycare centers in Dayton, Ohio. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Dayton

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
    A Great Start Preschool INC
    4.8 score
    5(20)

    7001 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    A Great Start Preschool receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the school's educational quality, safe environment, and strong staff leadership under director Christina Miller. Parents consistently report significant developmental progress in their children, who enjoy attending and form lasting friendships. The school is noted for its engaging activities and welcoming atmosphere.

    Excellent director leadershipcaring and professional staffstrong academic preparation for kindergartenfun activities and events
  2. 2
    Little Heart School House Early Learning Academy LLC
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    4501 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Little Hearts School House Early Learning Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented environment where children thrive academically and emotionally. Parents highlight the staff's genuine care, patience, and dedication to individual child development, along with the center's commitment to education and community engagement. Multiple parents credit the daycare with supporting their children's long-term success and pers

  3. 3
    Little Hearts School House Evening Family
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    1823 N Main St, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Little Hearts School House Evening Family receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise the caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Parents report their children thrive academically and emotionally, with the center going above and beyond to meet individual needs including special needs accommodation. The facility is also recognized for community involvement through mentoring programs and educational scholarships.

    Caring and attentive staffnurturing family-like environmentstrong child development and progresspersonalized attention
  4. 4
    Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    4821 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented center with dedicated staff who provide personalized attention and genuine care. Parents highlight the center's educational focus, strong community involvement, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs, including special needs support. Multiple reviewers credit the center with significant developmental progress in their children and express long-term loyalty.

    Dedicated and attentive staffpersonalized child carefamily-oriented atmosphereeducational curriculum
  5. 5
    Playtime Nursery School
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    821 Whitmore Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 33 children

    Playtime Nursery School receives universal 5-star praise from parents who highlight the welcoming environment, caring staff leadership under owner Ms. Terri, and strong educational curriculum that prepares children for grade school. Parents consistently report their children are excited to attend, feel safe, and thrive developmentally in a clean, family-oriented setting.

    Convenient hourswelcoming staffeducational curriculumclean facility
  6. 6
    Center For Jewish Culture & Education
    4.71 score
    5(12)

    525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 88 children

    Parents praise the Center for Jewish Culture & Education as an outstanding daycare with consistently excellent staff who are described as family-like and welcoming. The facility is well-organized, clean, and offers quality childcare alongside special events, community programs, and kosher food. All reviews are 5-star ratings highlighting the positive experience for both children and families.

    Caring and family-like staffquality childcarewell-organized programsspecial events
  7. 7
    For Love Of Chidren
    4.64 score
    4.8(20)

    128 W. First St, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    For Love of Children (FLOC) is a highly-regarded nonprofit organization in the Dayton area that provides comprehensive support to struggling children and youth through tutoring, mentorship, and assistance programs. Parents consistently praise the dedicated volunteer staff for their genuine care, transformative impact on children's academic performance and well-being, and generous support including clothing, food, and educational resources. The organization serves foster children, homeless youth, and families in need across Montgomery and Greene Counties.

    Caring and dedicated volunteersAcademic improvement in studentsSafe and welcoming environmentComprehensive support programs including tutoring and mentoring
  8. 8
    On Purpose Academy And Mentoring Center
    4.56 score
    4.7(20)

    51 Best Street, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 74 children

    On Purpose Academy receives consistently excellent feedback from parents, with particular praise for Director Ms. Kim's personal attention and hands-on leadership. Parents highlight the qualified teaching staff, individualized education focused on kindergarten preparation, and strong partnerships with families for child development across academic, social, and emotional domains.

    Director Ms. Kim knows families by name and is highly involved in enrollmentcompassionate and dedicated teaching staffindividualized attention to each child's needslive classroom cameras for parents
  9. 9
    The Word Youth Center
    4.55 score
    4.9(8)

    3401 W. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 21 children

    Unable to provide daycare summary. The reviews provided are for a church (The Word Youth Center functioning as a place of worship), not a daycare center. No reviews about childcare services, staff qualifications, activities, safety, or educational programs were found.

    None applicable - reviews discuss religious worship experiencenot childcare
  10. 10
    Steps Creative Center
    4.5 score
    5(5)

    1930 N Main Street, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children

    STEPS CREATIVE CENTER receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the professional and caring staff, clean and safe facility, and engaging educational activities. Parents highlight the family atmosphere, nutritious meals, field trips, and annual pageant as standout features, with children expressing enthusiasm about attending.

    Professional and caring staffclean and safe facilityfamily atmosphereengaging activities and field trips

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Dayton based on parent reviews

A Great Start Preschool INC

5(20)

7001 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH

A Great Start Preschool receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the school's educational quality, safe environment, and strong staff leadership under director Christina Miller. Parents consistently report significant developmental progress in their children, who enjoy attending and form lasting friendships. The school is noted for its engaging activities and welcoming atmosphere.

Excellent director leadershipcaring and professional staffstrong academic preparation for kindergarten

Little Heart School House Early Learning Academy LLC

4.9(20)

4501 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH

Little Hearts School House Early Learning Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented environment where children thrive academically and emotionally. Parents highlight the staff's genuine care, patience, and dedication to individual child development, along with the center's commitment to education and community engagement. Multiple parents credit the daycare with supporting their children's long-term success and pers

Little Hearts School House Evening Family

4.9(20)

1823 N Main St, Dayton, OH

Little Hearts School House Evening Family receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise the caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Parents report their children thrive academically and emotionally, with the center going above and beyond to meet individual needs including special needs accommodation. The facility is also recognized for community involvement through mentoring programs and educational scholarships.

Caring and attentive staffnurturing family-like environmentstrong child development and progress

Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy

4.9(20)

4821 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH

Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented center with dedicated staff who provide personalized attention and genuine care. Parents highlight the center's educational focus, strong community involvement, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs, including special needs support. Multiple reviewers credit the center with significant developmental progress in their children and express long-term loyalty.

Dedicated and attentive staffpersonalized child carefamily-oriented atmosphere

Playtime Nursery School

4.9(20)

821 Whitmore Ave, Dayton, OH

Playtime Nursery School receives universal 5-star praise from parents who highlight the welcoming environment, caring staff leadership under owner Ms. Terri, and strong educational curriculum that prepares children for grade school. Parents consistently report their children are excited to attend, feel safe, and thrive developmentally in a clean, family-oriented setting.

Convenient hourswelcoming staffeducational curriculum

Center For Jewish Culture & Education

5(12)

525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, OH

Parents praise the Center for Jewish Culture & Education as an outstanding daycare with consistently excellent staff who are described as family-like and welcoming. The facility is well-organized, clean, and offers quality childcare alongside special events, community programs, and kosher food. All reviews are 5-star ratings highlighting the positive experience for both children and families.

Caring and family-like staffquality childcarewell-organized programs

Map

Daycare types in Dayton

Child Daycare & Preschools 101Church Daycare 9Before or After School Daycare 24

Browse by type in Dayton

🎨 Preschools 9✝️ Christian Daycare 3⛪ Catholic Daycare 2

Daycare Centers in Dayton, Ohio

There are 134 daycare centers in Dayton, Ohio. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Dayton, 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 Dayton

Showing 134 results

Wee Care Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.4

Wee Care Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children thrive academically and socially under the care of warm, enthusiastic staff. Parents highlight excellent communication, individualized attention (including special needs support), cleanliness, and reasonable pricing. The center fosters a strong sense of community among staff, parents, and children.

Staff warmth and enthusiasmdaily updates with pictureschild development and learning progress
Address
9675 N. Dixie, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 454-9363
Ymca Child Care At Grace
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.3
Address
1001 Harvard Boulevard, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 278-4636
Inspire Me Learning Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
3
Address
2900 Philadelphia Dr, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 673-1851
Miami Valley Cdc-Dixie
Before or After School Daycare
3
Address
5421 N. Dixie Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 274-6869
Miami Valley Cdc-Kings Highway
Before or After School Daycare
3
Address
3805 Kings Highway, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 256-9808
Smart Start Child Development Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3
Address
4130 Free Pike, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 277-2222
Greater Galilee Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3
Address
1001 Beatrice Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 233-5656
A & D Day Care And Learning Center INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.7

A & D Day Care and Learning Center has received highly polarized reviews. While some parents praise the friendly staff, well-behaved children, and affordable pricing with extended hours (6am-12am), multiple parents report serious concerns including alleged physical abuse, inappropriate language toward children, poor owner attitude, and inadequate nap scheduling for preschool-aged children.

Friendly and knowledgeable staffwell-behaved childrenextended hours (6am-12am)
Address
1049 Infirmary Rd, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 263-4447
Ruff-N-Tumble Childcare INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.5

Ruff-N-Tumble Childcare receives mixed reviews with strong polarization between parents. Three parents praise individual staff members and the facility itself, while four parents report serious concerns about management, staff conduct, and child safety. The primary point of contention appears to be the head teacher/owner's leadership and interpersonal approach.

Individual staff member Miss Z is caring and dedicatedbeautiful facilitychildren stay engaged and busy
Address
5500 N. Dixie Dr., Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 276-5575
The Early Learning Tree Children'S Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.5

The Early Learning Tree Children's Center has extremely polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise staff efforts to make children's experiences enjoyable and mention 24/7 video monitoring and fair treatment policies. Negative reviewers report serious concerns including unprofessional staff behavior, unsafe conditions, child neglect, and administrative unresponsiveness to complaints.

Staff makes children's experience enjoyable24/7 video monitoring availablefair treatment policies enforced
Address
2332 N Main St, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 276-3221
Rosa Parks Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.4

Rosa Parks Early Learning Center has received mixed reviews reflecting a significant incident involving staff misconduct toward a neurodivergent child. While some parents praise individual teachers and report positive developmental outcomes for their children, multiple reviews document serious safety concerns and allegations of abuse that have generated widespread concern.

Caring and helpful staff membersstrong developmental progress in speech and social skillssafe walking track
Address
3705 Lori Sue Ave, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 542-4390
Kids Nest II
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.3
Address
3980 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 275-4366
The Kids Institute
Child Daycare & Preschools
2.2

THE KIDS INSTITUTE has extremely polarized reviews with two 5-star ratings praising cleanliness and staff professionalism, but seven 1-2 star ratings citing serious concerns about owner T. Ivory's unprofessional and rude behavior, poor communication about closures, inadequate bullying response, and overall management issues. Multiple parents report feeling disrespected and unwelcome.

Spotless facilityquality foodprofessional and helpful staff
Address
5300 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 277-9681
Abc Leap Into Learning Family Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
2
Address
4700 Philadelphia Dr, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 938-8061
Abc Leap Into Learning Totland University LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
2
Address
333 Salem Ave, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 826-0000
All About Us Learning Ctr
Child Daycare & Preschools
1.8

All About Us Learning Center receives mixed reviews with significant concerns. While a few parents praise long-term care and the owner Ms. Rochelle, the majority of reviews report serious issues including unprofessional behavior from staff, poor hygiene, inadequate feeding, lack of supervision, and allegations of physical discipline.

Long-term care experienceowner Ms. Rochelle described as great by some parents
Address
114 Brandt Street, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 567-8807
Debbye S Darling Daycare & Learning Center INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
1
Address
1333 Wisconsin Blvd, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 223-2745
Ms. Shelly'S Place Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
1
Address
3221 W. Siebenthaler, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 281-1400
True Care Early Childhood Learning Center INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
1
Address
4215 N. Dixie Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 221-9043
D.M.C Smart Start Academy INC
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
333 Salem Ave, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 826-0000
East Dayton Christian School Preschool And Daycare
Before or After School Daycare
Address
999 Spinning Rd, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 253-7485
Have Hope Center For Children
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
320 South Main Street, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 829-3339
NitaS Nurturing Nest
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
3701 Salem Ave, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 274-9176
Top Of The Hill Preschool Of Oakwood
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
155 E. Thruston Blvd., Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 815-6557
The Learning Tree Academy Of Dayton
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
168 Avondale Drive, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 952-5201
Ymca School Age Enrichment Program At River'S Edge
Before or After School Daycare
Address
108 Linwood St, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 278-4636
Youthland Academy Of Dayton
Child Daycare & Preschools

Youthland Academy of Dayton receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring, professional staff, child development support, and welcoming family-like environment. Children are reported to be happy, thriving, and developing well across multiple age groups.

caring and professional staffchild development milestones trackingpersonalized attention to each child
Address
2350 Catalpa Dr, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 535-5437
Smith Elementary School
Before or After School Daycare
Address
1701 Shafor Blvd, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 297-5335
Miami Valley Cdc- East Dayton Early Learning Center
Before or After School Daycare
Address
1304 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 262-7804
Miami Valley Cdc-Blairwood
Before or After School Daycare

Miami Valley CDC-Blairwood receives mostly positive reviews praising its kindergarten preparation, caring staff, and educational services across multiple counties. However, several parents report significant enrollment difficulties, including unresponsive staff and failure to return calls despite repeated attempts.

Excellent kindergarten preparationcaring and knowledgeable staffstrong leadership
Address
1241 Blairwood Avenue, Dayton, OH
Phone
(937) 263-9844

Page 3 of 5· 134 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 134 all daycares in Dayton, Ohio. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
When choosing a daycare in Dayton, 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
Dayton offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 101 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 9 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 24 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 Dayton for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Dayton 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.