Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Meriden, CT
Compare 16 child daycare & preschools in Meriden. Average rating: 3.93/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Meriden, Connecticut at a glance
- Programs
- 16
- Avg rating
- 3.93/5
- Parent reviews
- 147
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 4
Meriden has 16 licensed child daycare & preschools with 147 parent reviews averaging 3.93/5.The largest concentration is in 06450 with 17 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Meriden
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.
- 1Kinder Garden Learning Center4.4 score4.6(10)
20 S Broad Ter, Meriden, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 54 children
KINDER GARDEN LEARNING CENTER receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with 9 five-star reviews praising the educational curriculum, caring staff, and child development outcomes. However, one parent with special needs children reported serious concerns including inadequate medical care management, favoritism, staff unprofessionalism, and inappropriate handling of behavioral and health issues.
Educational curriculum and academic advancementcaring - 2Meriden Ymca Head Start4.07 score4.1(11)
398 Liberty St, Meriden, CT · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 124 children
Meriden YMCA Head Start receives mostly positive reviews praising caring, patient teachers who know children by name and provide individualized attention. However, some parents report serious concerns about management communication, safety responsiveness, allergy accommodation, and administrative issues with enrollment and lost items.
Caring and patient teachersindividualized attention for students with special needstwo teachers per classroomvariety of toys and activities - 3
208 Main St, Meriden, CT · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 28 children
Meriden YMCA Little Hounds Preschool receives mostly high praise for caring, dedicated staff and a nurturing environment. However, two negative reviews cite serious hygiene concerns including pest issues and cleanliness problems. The majority of parents report feeling confident in the daycare's safety and support, particularly noting the director Heather and staff's ability to address individual child needs.
Caring and dedicated stafffamily-oriented environmentst - 4Meriden Ymca Lil Rascals4 score4(8)
43 Swain Ave, Meriden, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 81 children
Meriden YMCA Lil Rascals receives mostly positive reviews praising caring, attentive staff and a nurturing environment, though two negative reviews raise significant concerns about cleanliness, pest issues, and health safety practices.
caring and patient teachersstrong communication with parentsindividualized support for children with special needsfamily-oriented and welcoming environment - 5Meriden Ymca B/A School At Israel Putnam3.84 score3.8(20)
133 Parker Ave, Meriden, CT · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 58 children
The Meriden YMCA at Israel Putnam is highly rated for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and diverse programs including swimming, fitness classes, and team sports. Parents appreciate the facility's family-friendly atmosphere and quality instruction. Some concerns exist regarding payment processing issues and limited lap swimming availability.
Clean facilitiesfriendly and helpful staffdiverse programs for all agesswimming instruction and teams - 6Meriden Ymca B/A School At Thomas Hooker3.84 score3.8(20)
70 Overlook Rd, Meriden, CT · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 52 children
Reviews praise the YMCA's clean facilities, friendly and professional staff, and diverse programs including swimming, fitness classes, and team sports. Parents appreciate the family-friendly environment and individual staff members' dedication to customer service. However, some customers report billing issues and payment processing problems.
Clean facilitiesfriendly and helpful staffdiverse classes and programsswimming instruction - 7Meriden Ymca @ John Barry3.84 score3.8(20)
124 Columbia St, Meriden, CT · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 134 children
The Meriden YMCA @ John Barry receives overwhelmingly positive feedback with parents praising its family-friendly atmosphere, clean facilities, and quality instructors across swimming, fitness classes, and sports programs. Most reviewers highlight excellent staff friendliness and dedication. A few members report billing issues and limited lap swimming availability.
Clean facilitiesfriendly and helpful staffvariety of classes (Zumbaaqua aerobics - 8Fairy Tales Child Care & Development Center3.83 score3.7(7)
470 Murdock Ave,Unit 9, Meriden, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 84 children
Fairy Tales Child Care & Development Center receives mostly positive reviews from long-term parents who praise the caring environment, strong academic curriculum, and cleanliness. However, a few negative reviews mention concerns about staff attentiveness, high tuition costs, and director behavior.
Loving and caring environmentstrong academic curriculum with above-grade-level resultsclean facilitieswell-organized classrooms - 9Meriden-New Britain-Berlin Ymca Early Learning Center3.44 score3.3(20)
12 Johnson Ave, Meriden, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 44 children
Reviews are mixed with significant concerns about the daycare program. Multiple parents reported poor conditions in the basement childcare area, including inadequate supervision, limited space and activities, and unhygienic conditions. Gym facilities and fitness classes received positive feedback, but daycare operations were criticized for poor customer service and unsafe practices.
Friendly and responsive staffclean gym facilitiesvariety of exercise classesaff
Rating Distribution
Based on 19 daycares with Google ratings in Meriden
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 147 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Meriden, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Meriden zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06451 | 9 | 4.1 | 2 | |
| 06450 | 17 | 3.81 | 2 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Meriden (16–134 children)
Small
up to 30 children
4
Medium
31–75 children
13
Large
76–150 children
9
Very Large
150+ children
0
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Meriden based on parent reviews
Kinder Garden Learning Center
20 S Broad Ter, Meriden, CT
KINDER GARDEN LEARNING CENTER receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with 9 five-star reviews praising the educational curriculum, caring staff, and child development outcomes. However, one parent with special needs children reported serious concerns including inadequate medical care management, favoritism, staff unprofessionalism, and inappropriate handling of behavioral and health issues.
Carriage House Day Care Center
320 Colony St, Meriden, CT
Parents highlight the warm, family-oriented atmosphere and staff dedication, with one noting that children continue to speak fondly of a specific caregiver, Mrs. Quinn, years after attending. Reviewers describe the center as caring for families rather than just providing childcare, while another simply commends the great staff.
Star Cubs Child Development Center
169 Main St, Meriden, CT
Several parents highlight Ms. Lana and her staff for providing a loving, clean, and inclusive environment that offers significant peace of mind through features like live camera feeds. Conversely, one review describes a distressing incident involving the owner's aggressive behavior toward a parent in the parking lot.
Meriden Ymca Child Care @ Ben Franklin
426 W Main St, Meriden, CT
Feedback for this center-based program is mixed, with one parent describing it as a very good little school while another reports it is the worst daycare they have experienced. Specific complaints include the facility being dirty and the organization failing to take accountability for its workers.
Ymca Meriden Child Care Center
66 Crown St, Meriden, CT
Feedback for the YMCA Meriden Child Care Center is mixed, with one parent describing it as a 'very good little school' while another labels it the 'worst daycare' due to cleanliness and management issues. The low rating reflects these starkly contrasting experiences regarding accountability and facility maintenance.
Meriden Ymca Lil Rascals
43 Swain Ave, Meriden, CT
Meriden YMCA Lil Rascals receives mostly positive reviews praising caring, attentive staff and a nurturing environment, though two negative reviews raise significant concerns about cleanliness, pest issues, and health safety practices.
Map
Daycare types in Meriden
Browse by type in Meriden
Child Daycare & Preschools in Meriden, Connecticut
There are 16 child daycare & preschools in Meriden, Connecticut, making up 62% of the 26 total childcare facilities in the city. 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 Meriden have an average rating of 3.93 out of 5 across 19 rated facilities, with 21% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 147 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Meriden, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
All Child Daycare & Preschools in Meriden
Showing 16 results
Parents highlight the warm, family-oriented atmosphere and staff dedication, with one noting that children continue to speak fondly of a specific caregiver, Mrs. Quinn, years after attending. Reviewers describe the center as caring for families rather than just providing childcare, while another simply commends the great staff.
- Address
- 320 Colony St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-4859
KINDER GARDEN LEARNING CENTER receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with 9 five-star reviews praising the educational curriculum, caring staff, and child development outcomes. However, one parent with special needs children reported serious concerns including inadequate medical care management, favoritism, staff unprofessionalism, and inappropriate handling of behavioral and health issues.
- Address
- 20 S Broad Ter, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 686-1586
Several parents highlight Ms. Lana and her staff for providing a loving, clean, and inclusive environment that offers significant peace of mind through features like live camera feeds. Conversely, one review describes a distressing incident involving the owner's aggressive behavior toward a parent in the parking lot.
- Address
- 169 Main St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 443-5451
Feedback for this center-based program is mixed, with one parent describing it as a very good little school while another reports it is the worst daycare they have experienced. Specific complaints include the facility being dirty and the organization failing to take accountability for its workers.
- Address
- 426 W Main St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-6386
Feedback for the YMCA Meriden Child Care Center is mixed, with one parent describing it as a 'very good little school' while another labels it the 'worst daycare' due to cleanliness and management issues. The low rating reflects these starkly contrasting experiences regarding accountability and facility maintenance.
- Address
- 66 Crown St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-8906
Meriden YMCA Lil Rascals receives mostly positive reviews praising caring, attentive staff and a nurturing environment, though two negative reviews raise significant concerns about cleanliness, pest issues, and health safety practices.
- Address
- 43 Swain Ave, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 630-0039
Fairy Tales Child Care & Development Center receives mostly positive reviews from long-term parents who praise the caring environment, strong academic curriculum, and cleanliness. However, a few negative reviews mention concerns about staff attentiveness, high tuition costs, and director behavior.
- Address
- 470 Murdock Ave,Unit 9, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 440-4244
One parent reports a negative experience, specifically advising against enrollment for children with special needs. The feedback highlights a concern regarding the facility's ability to accommodate specialized requirements.
- Address
- 125 Broad St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 686-1438
Reviews are mixed with significant concerns about the daycare program. Multiple parents reported poor conditions in the basement childcare area, including inadequate supervision, limited space and activities, and unhygienic conditions. Gym facilities and fitness classes received positive feedback, but daycare operations were criticized for poor customer service and unsafe practices.
- Address
- 12 Johnson Ave, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 440-3254
One parent describes severe safety and hygiene failures, including unexplained bruises, bites, missing personal items, and sick children, while citing poor communication and staff behavior. Another reviewer criticizes the center's location and staff conduct regarding parking disputes with neighboring businesses.
- Address
- 95 Main St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 379-0651
One parent reports that a staff member named Jennifer used inappropriate language and inappropriately shared negative details about a student's family situation, including legal issues, in front of the children. The reviewer states this behavior was traumatic for their niece.
- Address
- 81 Akron St, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 238-0845
- Address
- 277 Atkins Street Ext, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-9297
Several parents highlight the facility's engaging theme-based curriculum, knowledgeable staff, and strong safety record, with one noting a structured, love-filled environment. Conversely, a single review criticizes the center's rigid part-time scheduling and lack of sliding-scale pricing options.
- Address
- 186 Pomeroy Ave, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-8461
- Address
- 62 Colony Street, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 634-8886
- Address
- 100 Clearview Ave, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 235-9297
- Address
- 474 Broad Street, Meriden, CT
- Phone
- (203) 238-2579
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Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with Connecticut's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Connecticut)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 16 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
- Church Daycare — 2 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 7 facilities