How do I choose the right daycare in Waterbury?

When choosing a daycare in Waterbury, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: 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 in Waterbury, Connecticut (18 Results)

Q: What types of daycare are available in Waterbury?

Waterbury offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 18 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 3 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in Connecticut?

Daycare costs in Connecticut 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 Waterbury for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Waterbury

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.

Waterbury Ymca Child Care Center

4.32 score

4.4(20)

136 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 224 children

Parents praise the Waterbury YMCA Child Care Center's preschool program, highlighting strong teacher communication, individualized student support, and a nurturing environment where children thrive. The facility is noted as clean and well-maintained with excellent staff who are patient and helpful.

Patient and understanding teachersstrong parent communicationindividualized learning techniquesclean facility

Toddler Town - Childcare Campus & Lrng Ctr

4.29 score

4.4(14)

120 Store Ave, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 56 children

Parents consistently praise Toddler Town as an excellent childcare facility with deeply committed staff and strong developmental focus. Children show measurable academic and social progress, and parents report feeling confident and at ease leaving their children in care. The center prioritizes safety, cleanliness, and transparent communication with families.

Caring and passionate staffstrong academic progress (writingreadingearly literacy)

The Ark Early Care & Education Center

4.18 score

4.3(8)

222 W Main St, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 70 children

The Ark has mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents about caring teachers, quality education, and positive child development, but serious concerns from parents of children with special needs regarding accommodation, communication, and staff conduct.

Caring and dedicated teachersstrong academic preparationclean and safe environmentexcellent parent communication

Muriel H Moore Child Development Center

3.95 score

3.9(6)

444 North Main Street, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 322 children

Muriel H Moore Child Development Center receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise the staff and learning environment, multiple parents report serious concerns including staffing shortages leading to classroom instability, administrative disorganization, inconsistent enforcement of policies, and one incident involving a child injury.

Caring and polite staffchildren enjoy teachersgood learning outcomes in first yearnice environment especially during summer

New Horizon Kids Academy

3.33 score

3(10)

2457 E Main St, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 67 children

New Horizon Kids Academy receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise attentive staff, clean facilities, strong child care, and a safe location. Negative reviews criticize rigid payment policies, inflexible scheduling, unprofessional business practices, and reported rudeness from staff.

Attentive and caring staffclean facilitysafe location away from trafficstrong child development

Lighthouse Day Care

3.16 score

2.7(9)

1245 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 77 children

Lighthouse Day Care receives highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the caring staff, religious curriculum, developmental activities, and communication updates. Negative reviewers report severe understaffing, poor behavior management, safety concerns, insensitive management, and high employee turnover.

caring and attentive staffclean environmentreligious/faith-based curriculumpreschool preparation activities (alphabet

Child Daycare & Preschools in Waterbury, Connecticut

There are 18 child daycare & preschools in Waterbury, Connecticut, making up 86% of the 21 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.

When choosing a daycare in Waterbury, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 18 child daycare & preschools daycares in Waterbury, Connecticut, out of 21 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Waterbury, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

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

Waterbury offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 18 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 3 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 Connecticut 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 Waterbury for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Waterbury must be licensed by Connecticut'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.

18 Child Daycare & Preschools in Waterbury, Connecticut

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Waterbury

Top Rated

Waterbury Ymca Child Care Center

Toddler Town - Childcare Campus & Lrng Ctr

Easterseals Children'S Academy East Campus

Ark Child Development Center

The Ark Early Care & Education Center

St Mary'S Hospital Child Development Center

Map

Daycare types in Waterbury

Browse by type in Waterbury