Best Daycare Centers in Cookeville, TN
Compare 45 daycare centers in Cookeville. Average rating: 3.88/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Cookeville, Tennessee at a glance
- Daycares
- 45
- Avg rating
- 3.88/5
- Parent reviews
- 125
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 4
Cookeville has 45 licensed daycares with 125 parent reviews averaging 3.88/5.The largest concentration is in 38501 with 36 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Cookeville
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.
- 1Best Beginnings4.6 score4.9(10)
122 E. 12th Street, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Best Beginnings in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as caring, patient, and communicative. Parents highlight the center's clean facilities, engaging learning environment, and the staff's genuine affection for the children in their care.
Caring and patient staffexcellent parent communicationclean classroomsengaging activities and learning opportunities - 2Lighthouse Learning Academy, LLC4.55 score4.9(8)
1160 Perimeter Park Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 166 children
Parents consistently praise this homeschooling curriculum for its comprehensive academics, professional administration, and Christian-based education. Students report academic improvement, college acceptance, and flexible learning structures. The program offers diagnostic testing, graduation diplomas, and responsive advisor support.
Rigorous curriculum that surpasses traditional schoolsaccredited with professional record-keepingresponsive advisors and customer supportincludes Bible studies - 3Shiloh Head Start4.47 score4.7(10)
839 P. Brewington Road, Cookeville, TN · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 60 children
Parents consistently praise Shiloh Head Start for its caring and engaged teaching staff who genuinely enjoy working with children. The facility is described as providing a positive learning environment where children are happy to attend daily. All reviews are highly positive with no significant concerns raised.
Caring and attentive teacherspositive learning environmentstaff genuinely enjoy their jobschildren happy to attend - 4Busy Bees Preschool, LLC4.37 score4.6(8)
749 Buffalo Valley Rd., Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children
Busy Bees Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the teachers' attentiveness, care, and genuine love for the children. Parents consistently report their children are happy, engaged, and eager to attend. One parent questioned whether the facility functions more as daycare than preschool based on curriculum materials.
Attentive and caring staffclean facilityfun atmospherestrong teacher-child relationships - 5Noah'S Ark4.29 score4.4(13)
780 Fairground Street, Cookeville, TN · Church Daycare · Capacity: 129 children
Noah's Ark is a religious daycare in Cookeville with consistently excellent reviews from parents. Parents praise the staff's genuine care, strong teacher-child relationships, and support through developmental transitions. The facility is noted for going above and beyond, including attending children's events and accommodating special needs.
Caring and loving staffstrong family-like relationships between teachers and childrenexcellent communicationsupport with developmental milestones (potty training - 6The Brightside School, LLC4.19 score4.3(9)
520 E. 10th Street, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 51 children
The Brightside School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff who go above and beyond for children's wellbeing and development. However, there are two negative reviews citing concerns about staff quality. The facility has a long operational history in the area.
Caring and attentive staffchild development and educationpatience with children's individual needslong-established reputation - 7Creative Learning, LLC4.08 score4.1(18)
275 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 177 children
Creative Learning LLC in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews gave 5-star ratings, highlighting the welcoming staff, strong communication, secure facility, and positive developmental outcomes for children. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving in the program.
Welcoming and caring staffexcellent daily communication and photo updates via mobile appsecure facility with locked doors and entry codesextended hours (6:30am-5:30pm) - 8Kids Putnam4 score4(11)
1130 Chocolate Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 75 children
Parents consistently praise KIDS PUTNAM's staff and teachers as caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated to child development. The center is noted for cleanliness, structured learning, and developmental progress tracking. One parent expressed concern about the director's patience with children.
Caring and experienced staffchild development focusstructured learning environmentcleanliness and health precautions - 9Color My World Child Care & Learning4 score4(7)
1701 N. Dixie, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 47 children
Color My World Child Care & Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising caring, professional staff who create a family-like environment and support child development. One parent reported a negative experience with the director's handling of behavioral issues at age 2. Most reviews highlight strong teacher-child relationships, good communication, and flexibility with scheduling.
caring and loving staffprofessional communicationflexibi - 10Smart Play Day School3.44 score3.2(12)
600 E. Veterans Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 99 children
Smart Play Day School has highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the staff's care, bilingual/sign language education, developmental progress, and communication. However, negative reviewers report serious concerns including alleged staff physical abuse of children, unexplained injuries, poor management after ownership change, frequent unannounced closures with continued payment requirements, safety hazards, inadequate video transparency, and health protocol violat
Rating Distribution
Based on 15 daycares with Google ratings in Cookeville
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Cookeville, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Cookeville zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38501 | 36 | 3.87 | 4 | |
| 38506 | 7 | 0 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Cookeville (20–200 children)
Small
up to 30 children
3
Medium
31–75 children
19
Large
76–150 children
20
Very Large
150+ children
3
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Cookeville based on parent reviews
Best Beginnings
122 E. 12th Street, Cookeville, TN
Best Beginnings in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as caring, patient, and communicative. Parents highlight the center's clean facilities, engaging learning environment, and the staff's genuine affection for the children in their care.
Lighthouse Learning Academy, LLC
1160 Perimeter Park Drive, Cookeville, TN
Parents consistently praise this homeschooling curriculum for its comprehensive academics, professional administration, and Christian-based education. Students report academic improvement, college acceptance, and flexible learning structures. The program offers diagnostic testing, graduation diplomas, and responsive advisor support.
Shiloh Head Start
839 P. Brewington Road, Cookeville, TN
Parents consistently praise Shiloh Head Start for its caring and engaged teaching staff who genuinely enjoy working with children. The facility is described as providing a positive learning environment where children are happy to attend daily. All reviews are highly positive with no significant concerns raised.
Busy Bees Preschool, LLC
749 Buffalo Valley Rd., Cookeville, TN
Busy Bees Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the teachers' attentiveness, care, and genuine love for the children. Parents consistently report their children are happy, engaged, and eager to attend. One parent questioned whether the facility functions more as daycare than preschool based on curriculum materials.
Noah'S Ark
780 Fairground Street, Cookeville, TN
Noah's Ark is a religious daycare in Cookeville with consistently excellent reviews from parents. Parents praise the staff's genuine care, strong teacher-child relationships, and support through developmental transitions. The facility is noted for going above and beyond, including attending children's events and accommodating special needs.
The Brightside School, LLC
520 E. 10th Street, Cookeville, TN
The Brightside School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff who go above and beyond for children's wellbeing and development. However, there are two negative reviews citing concerns about staff quality. The facility has a long operational history in the area.
Map
Daycare types in Cookeville
Daycare Centers in Cookeville, Tennessee
There are 45 daycare centers in Cookeville, Tennessee. 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 Cookeville have an average rating of 3.88 out of 5 across 15 rated facilities, with 27% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.7 stars. Our analysis covers 125 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Cookeville, 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 Cookeville
Showing 45 results
Best Beginnings in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as caring, patient, and communicative. Parents highlight the center's clean facilities, engaging learning environment, and the staff's genuine affection for the children in their care.
- Address
- 122 E. 12th Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-9909
Parents consistently praise this homeschooling curriculum for its comprehensive academics, professional administration, and Christian-based education. Students report academic improvement, college acceptance, and flexible learning structures. The program offers diagnostic testing, graduation diplomas, and responsive advisor support.
- Address
- 1160 Perimeter Park Drive, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-7400
Parents consistently praise Shiloh Head Start for its caring and engaged teaching staff who genuinely enjoy working with children. The facility is described as providing a positive learning environment where children are happy to attend daily. All reviews are highly positive with no significant concerns raised.
- Address
- 839 P. Brewington Road, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 268-2759
Busy Bees Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the teachers' attentiveness, care, and genuine love for the children. Parents consistently report their children are happy, engaged, and eager to attend. One parent questioned whether the facility functions more as daycare than preschool based on curriculum materials.
- Address
- 749 Buffalo Valley Rd., Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 372-8275
Noah's Ark is a religious daycare in Cookeville with consistently excellent reviews from parents. Parents praise the staff's genuine care, strong teacher-child relationships, and support through developmental transitions. The facility is noted for going above and beyond, including attending children's events and accommodating special needs.
- Address
- 780 Fairground Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-7113
The Brightside School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff who go above and beyond for children's wellbeing and development. However, there are two negative reviews citing concerns about staff quality. The facility has a long operational history in the area.
- Address
- 520 E. 10th Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-9649
Creative Learning LLC in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews gave 5-star ratings, highlighting the welcoming staff, strong communication, secure facility, and positive developmental outcomes for children. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving in the program.
- Address
- 275 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-2782
Color My World Child Care & Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising caring, professional staff who create a family-like environment and support child development. One parent reported a negative experience with the director's handling of behavioral issues at age 2. Most reviews highlight strong teacher-child relationships, good communication, and flexibility with scheduling.
- Address
- 1701 N. Dixie, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-1503
One parent highlights a positive experience with the curriculum and teachers, noting their child's improved social engagement. Another family with deep ties to the center praises the consistent care and loving environment, while a third reviewer criticizes the difficult enrollment process and poor communication. The few reviews so far mention a strong staff but significant barriers to entry.
- Address
- 210 E. Broad Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-0181
Parents consistently praise KIDS PUTNAM's staff and teachers as caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated to child development. The center is noted for cleanliness, structured learning, and developmental progress tracking. One parent expressed concern about the director's patience with children.
- Address
- 1130 Chocolate Drive, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-5437
One parent praises the friendly staff and engaging activities, while another highlights severe administrative issues including a three-year waitlist and unresponsive phone lines. A third reviewer commends specific employees and the director's kindness, noting the center's suitability for their child.
- Address
- 200 W. 10th Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 372-6262
One parent describes the facility's medical staff as excellent, while another expresses significant frustration regarding a two-year waiting list and perceived priority given to hospital employees. The few reviews so far highlight a stark contrast between clinical quality and administrative accessibility.
- Address
- 125 Chestnut Avenue, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 783-2492
Smart Play Day School has highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the staff's care, bilingual/sign language education, developmental progress, and communication. However, negative reviewers report serious concerns including alleged staff physical abuse of children, unexplained injuries, poor management after ownership change, frequent unannounced closures with continued payment requirements, safety hazards, inadequate video transparency, and health protocol violat
- Address
- 600 E. Veterans Drive, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 854-0653
London Bridge Preschool & Infant Toddler has highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise responsive communication, photo updates, cleanliness, and caring staff, while negative reviews cite rude ownership, poor internal staff communication, inconsistent potty training support, lack of transparency, and concerns about child neglect.
- Address
- 1175 East 10th Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-6860
- Address
- 777 S. Willow Ave., Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-3766
- Address
- 545 Scott Ave, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-2516
- Address
- 452 Ellis Avenue, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-9322
- Address
- 178 E Jere Whtison, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-6575
- Address
- 2525 Old Walton Road, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 303-0362
- Address
- Prescott South School, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-3647
- Address
- 230 Raider Drive, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-5910
- Address
- 1500 W. Jackson Street, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-1173
- Address
- 1 Cougar Lane, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-2414
- Address
- 452 Ellis Ave, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 526-9322
- Address
- 571 South Willow Avenue, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 372-8021
- Address
- 575 Old Kentucky Road, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-1136
- Address
- 230 Raider Drive, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-2200
- Address
- 545 Scott Avenue, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-8713
- Address
- 1500 W Jackson St, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 520-1173
- Address
- 115 W. Cemetery Road, Cookeville, TN
- Phone
- (931) 528-3647
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Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with Tennessee's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Tennessee)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 12 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
- Church Daycare — 3 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 28 facilities