
Compare 29 daycare centers in State College. Average rating: 4.51/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
State College has 29 licensed daycares with 152 parent reviews averaging 4.51/5.10 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 71% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 16801 zip code, averaging 4.53 stars across 21 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
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.
1250 University Dr, State College, PA · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Calvary Baptist is a large Baptist church in State College, Pennsylvania with approximately 1,000 members across two services. Reviews consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, quality pastoral teaching, and programming for children and families. Parents report feeling a strong sense of community and spiritual growth.
278 Gerald St, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 83 children
Parents consistently praise Kids Court as an excellent daycare with caring, stable staff and clean facilities. They highlight strong communication, accommodations for special needs (allergies, physical therapy), and the center's minimal holiday closures. Children show strong academic preparation and parents report high satisfaction after switching from other providers.
106 Village Dr, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Step by Step School for Early Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who value the professional, caring staff and educational focus. Parents highlight the owners Rachel and Rob's dedication, the well-organized management, and the strong sense of community that extends beyond enrollment. Children are reported to be excited to attend and well-prepared for kindergarten.
132 W Beaver Ave, State College, PA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 58 children
Stay and Play at State College Presbyterian Church is highly regarded by parents, with all reviews giving 5-star ratings. Parents praise the warm, welcoming environment with caring staff, diverse programs for children through high school, and the facility's community involvement and LGBTQ-affirming values.
2210 High Tech Rd, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Penn Skates Kidz Academy is a roller skating facility highly praised for birthday parties and family skating events. Parents consistently highlight excellent customer service, well-organized parties with food included, and a fun atmosphere. Staff are described as friendly, helpful, and skilled skaters.
301 Innovation Blvd, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 222 children
Daybridge receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, individualized attention, and inclusive curriculum. However, some parents report significant issues with enrollment communication, misleading information about waitlist availability, and poor responsiveness to inquiries.
677 W Whitehall Rd, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 188 children
These reviews appear to be for a YMCA facility rather than a daycare center. Parents praise the facility's equipment, pools, and free child watch services, but criticize cleanliness, staff attitudes, and pricing. The center offers good value for families seeking multiple amenities in one location.
200 Ellis Pl, State College, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 128 children
ABBA'S HOUSE BABYLAND AND DAYCARE has experienced significant operational decline since a new director took over in September 2018. While parents consistently praise the teaching staff as phenomenal and caring, they report severe management issues including high staff turnover, poor communication, policy violations, unjustified tuition increases, and unprofessional director conduct that has caused many families to leave.
Based on 14 daycares with Google ratings in State College
Average ratings by facility type in State College, based on parent reviews
State College zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16801 | 21 | 4.53 | 7 | |
| 16803 | 7 | 4.43 | 2 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in State College (19–222 children)
Small
up to 30 children
2
Medium
31–75 children
6
Large
76–150 children
7
Very Large
150+ children
4
Highest rated daycares in State College based on parent reviews
1250 University Dr, State College, PA
Calvary Baptist is a large Baptist church in State College, Pennsylvania with approximately 1,000 members across two services. Reviews consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, quality pastoral teaching, and programming for children and families. Parents report feeling a strong sense of community and spiritual growth.
278 Gerald St, State College, PA
Parents consistently praise Kids Court as an excellent daycare with caring, stable staff and clean facilities. They highlight strong communication, accommodations for special needs (allergies, physical therapy), and the center's minimal holiday closures. Children show strong academic preparation and parents report high satisfaction after switching from other providers.
106 Village Dr, State College, PA
Step by Step School for Early Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who value the professional, caring staff and educational focus. Parents highlight the owners Rachel and Rob's dedication, the well-organized management, and the strong sense of community that extends beyond enrollment. Children are reported to be excited to attend and well-prepared for kindergarten.
1011 E College Ave, State College, PA
Parents describe Joy for Kids Daycare as a safe, loving, and educational environment where staff treat children like family. Reviewers highlight the center's flexibility, affordability, and strong safety protocols, noting significant physical and mental growth in enrolled children. One parent also notes that the center is a positive workplace for employees.
132 W Beaver Ave, State College, PA
Stay and Play at State College Presbyterian Church is highly regarded by parents, with all reviews giving 5-star ratings. Parents praise the warm, welcoming environment with caring staff, diverse programs for children through high school, and the facility's community involvement and LGBTQ-affirming values.
2210 High Tech Rd, State College, PA
Penn Skates Kidz Academy is a roller skating facility highly praised for birthday parties and family skating events. Parents consistently highlight excellent customer service, well-organized parties with food included, and a fun atmosphere. Staff are described as friendly, helpful, and skilled skaters.
There are 29 daycare centers in State College, Pennsylvania. 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 State College have an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 across 14 rated facilities, with 71% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.8 stars. Our analysis covers 152 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in State College, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 29 results
One parent describes a nurturing environment with top-notch facilities and a well-planned curriculum that fosters confidence and independence, while another notes that teachers show genuine interest and care for the children.
Parents describe Joy for Kids Daycare as a safe, loving, and educational environment where staff treat children like family. Reviewers highlight the center's flexibility, affordability, and strong safety protocols, noting significant physical and mental growth in enrolled children. One parent also notes that the center is a positive workplace for employees.
One parent reports that their son has loved attending since starting at nine months old, expressing high comfort and trust in the staff. The reviewer highlights the center's caring nature and recommends the family-owned business.
Parents consistently praise Kids Court as an excellent daycare with caring, stable staff and clean facilities. They highlight strong communication, accommodations for special needs (allergies, physical therapy), and the center's minimal holiday closures. Children show strong academic preparation and parents report high satisfaction after switching from other providers.
Stay and Play at State College Presbyterian Church is highly regarded by parents, with all reviews giving 5-star ratings. Parents praise the warm, welcoming environment with caring staff, diverse programs for children through high school, and the facility's community involvement and LGBTQ-affirming values.
Calvary Baptist is a large Baptist church in State College, Pennsylvania with approximately 1,000 members across two services. Reviews consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, quality pastoral teaching, and programming for children and families. Parents report feeling a strong sense of community and spiritual growth.
Step by Step School for Early Learning receives consistently high praise from parents who value the professional, caring staff and educational focus. Parents highlight the owners Rachel and Rob's dedication, the well-organized management, and the strong sense of community that extends beyond enrollment. Children are reported to be excited to attend and well-prepared for kindergarten.
One parent highlights exceptional staff compassion, developmental expertise, and facilities that support potty training and nursing needs, while another review notes administrative frustrations regarding waitlist communication. A few brief comments describe the program as a great place for children.
Penn Skates Kidz Academy is a roller skating facility highly praised for birthday parties and family skating events. Parents consistently highlight excellent customer service, well-organized parties with food included, and a fun atmosphere. Staff are described as friendly, helpful, and skilled skaters.
Daybridge receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, individualized attention, and inclusive curriculum. However, some parents report significant issues with enrollment communication, misleading information about waitlist availability, and poor responsiveness to inquiries.
These reviews appear to be for a YMCA facility rather than a daycare center. Parents praise the facility's equipment, pools, and free child watch services, but criticize cleanliness, staff attitudes, and pricing. The center offers good value for families seeking multiple amenities in one location.
One parent highlights exceptional, attentive care and strong communication at this location, which is closing in May 2024, while another notes a positive learning experience with helpful staff. A few reviews from several years ago mentioned issues, though current families report no such problems.
ABBA'S HOUSE BABYLAND AND DAYCARE has experienced significant operational decline since a new director took over in September 2018. While parents consistently praise the teaching staff as phenomenal and caring, they report severe management issues including high staff turnover, poor communication, policy violations, unjustified tuition increases, and unprofessional director conduct that has caused many families to leave.
Reviewers highlight the center's affordable fees, spacious facilities, and genuinely caring staff, with one parent specifically praising a teacher named Miss Shelley. The few reviews so far mention that the staff treats children like their own, making the experience easy for families.
Easter Seals Child Development Center in State College receives exclusively positive reviews from parents. Parents consistently praise the caring, knowledgeable staff who provide individualized attention and create a loving, inclusive environment where children thrive and develop significantly.
The Goddard School in State College receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the quality of care, teaching staff, and educational curriculum. Parents consistently highlight excellent communication, safe and clean facilities, and strong preparation for kindergarten and beyond. The school is noted as particularly welcoming to families with unique circumstances, including those transitioning from other childcare and children with special needs.
Parents consistently praise Kindercare State College for exceptional staff, strong communication, and a nurturing environment where children thrive both academically and socially. The facility maintains high cleanliness and safety standards with proper teacher-child ratios. Parents report feeling confident in the center's care and appreciate the welcoming, supportive atmosphere.
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