Children at daycare

7 Child Daycare & Preschools in Merritt Island, Florida

Browse all 7 child daycare & preschools in Merritt Island, Florida. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Merritt Island

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

    670 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 80 children

    East Coast Christian Academy receives consistently high ratings from parents who praise the staff's care and dedication to children's development in a Christ-centered environment. Parents appreciate the welcoming, supportive community atmosphere and report their children are developing well.

    Caring and loving staffChrist-centered environmentchild developmentwelcoming community
  2. 2

    65 Needle Blvd, Merritt Island, FL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 150 children

    Grace United Methodist Preschool is highly regarded as the best preschool on Merritt Island with a 50+ year history, praised for its caring and experienced staff, engaging activities, and newer facilities. Parents appreciate the welcoming church community, quality programming, and the facility's outreach efforts. The preschool fills quickly during March registration with families traveling from nearby areas to attend.

    Experienced and caring stafftop-notch preschool
  3. 3
    New Discoveries, LLC
    4.33 score
    4.5(10)

    332 Tangerine Ave, Merritt Island, FL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 114 children

    New Discoveries Learning Center in Merritt Island receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff, child development, and warm environment. The majority of reviews highlight successful socialization, learning progress, and strong staff-child relationships. However, two negative reviews cite declining quality post-COVID, reduced communication, inconsistent potty training approaches, and concerns about cleanliness and staff attitudes.

    caring and attentive staffwarm and supportive environmentsuccessful socialization and friendship-buildingacademic learning (alphabet
  4. 4

    280 E Merritt Ave, Merritt Island, FL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 150 children

    Faith Lutheran School & Day Care receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the director, teachers, and learning environment. However, some serious safety concerns have been raised, including inadequate supervision, improper handling of toddlers, and insufficient staffing.

    Excellent director and stafffamily-like treatment of childrenstrong educational programsprofessional and caring environment
  5. 5

    675 S Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 91 children

    First Steps Education receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, clean facilities, and their children's learning progress. One parent raised concerns about the director's behavior and treatment of their child, citing exclusion and mid-day dismissals.

    Caring and dedicated teachersclean facilitiesfrequent parent communicationaffordable pricing
  6. 6
    Loving Care Academy
    3.36 score
    3(9)

    370 N Banana River Dr, Merritt Island, FL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 98 children

    Loving Care Academy received highly positive reviews when operating under that name, with parents praising caring staff, cleanliness, affordability, and children's happiness. However, after a change in ownership/rebranding to Bell Oak, multiple parents report serious concerns including DCF investigations, understaffing, inappropriate staff behavior toward children, and safety issues.

    Kind and friendly staffclean facilityaffordable priceschildren happy and enjoy attending

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Merritt Island based on parent reviews

East Coast Christian Academy

4.9(10)

670 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL

East Coast Christian Academy receives consistently high ratings from parents who praise the staff's care and dedication to children's development in a Christ-centered environment. Parents appreciate the welcoming, supportive community atmosphere and report their children are developing well.

Caring and loving staffChrist-centered environmentchild development

New Discoveries, LLC

4.5(10)

332 Tangerine Ave, Merritt Island, FL

New Discoveries Learning Center in Merritt Island receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff, child development, and warm environment. The majority of reviews highlight successful socialization, learning progress, and strong staff-child relationships. However, two negative reviews cite declining quality post-COVID, reduced communication, inconsistent potty training approaches, and concerns about cleanliness and staff attitudes.

caring and attentive staffwarm and supportive environmentsuccessful socialization and friendship-building

First Steps Education INC.

3.8(12)

675 S Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL

First Steps Education receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, clean facilities, and their children's learning progress. One parent raised concerns about the director's behavior and treatment of their child, citing exclusion and mid-day dismissals.

Caring and dedicated teachersclean facilitiesfrequent parent communication

Loving Care Academy

3(9)

370 N Banana River Dr, Merritt Island, FL

Loving Care Academy received highly positive reviews when operating under that name, with parents praising caring staff, cleanliness, affordability, and children's happiness. However, after a change in ownership/rebranding to Bell Oak, multiple parents report serious concerns including DCF investigations, understaffing, inappropriate staff behavior toward children, and safety issues.

Kind and friendly staffclean facilityaffordable prices

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Daycare types in Merritt Island

Browse by type in Merritt Island

Child Daycare & Preschools in Merritt Island, Florida

There are 7 child daycare & preschools in Merritt Island, Florida, making up 64% of the 11 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 Merritt Island, 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 Merritt Island

Showing 7 results

East Coast Christian Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.9

East Coast Christian Academy receives consistently high ratings from parents who praise the staff's care and dedication to children's development in a Christ-centered environment. Parents appreciate the welcoming, supportive community atmosphere and report their children are developing well.

Caring and loving staffChrist-centered environmentchild development
Address
670 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 453-5437
New Discoveries, LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

New Discoveries Learning Center in Merritt Island receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff, child development, and warm environment. The majority of reviews highlight successful socialization, learning progress, and strong staff-child relationships. However, two negative reviews cite declining quality post-COVID, reduced communication, inconsistent potty training approaches, and concerns about cleanliness and staff attitudes.

caring and attentive staffwarm and supportive environmentsuccessful socialization and friendship-building
Address
332 Tangerine Ave, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 452-7300
First Steps Education INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.8

First Steps Education receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, clean facilities, and their children's learning progress. One parent raised concerns about the director's behavior and treatment of their child, citing exclusion and mid-day dismissals.

Caring and dedicated teachersclean facilitiesfrequent parent communication
Address
675 S Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 449-1199
Loving Care Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
3

Loving Care Academy received highly positive reviews when operating under that name, with parents praising caring staff, cleanliness, affordability, and children's happiness. However, after a change in ownership/rebranding to Bell Oak, multiple parents report serious concerns including DCF investigations, understaffing, inappropriate staff behavior toward children, and safety issues.

Kind and friendly staffclean facilityaffordable prices
Address
370 N Banana River Dr, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 453-4432
Kindercare Learning Center LLC
Child Daycare & Preschools

Parents consistently praise Kindercare Learning Center in Merritt Island for its clean facility, caring and dedicated staff, and strong leadership. Children show developmental progress in speech, social skills, and learning. Parents appreciate daily communication through photos, activity updates via app, and the welcoming family-like atmosphere.

Clean facilitydedicated and loving staffstrong leadership
Address
55 Catalina Isle Dr, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 453-3473
La Petite Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools

La Petite Academy in Merritt Island has received exclusively positive feedback from parents. All 10 recent reviews gave 5-star ratings, praising the caring staff, safe environment, strong communication, and engaging curriculum. Parents report their children are happy, learning, and reluctant to leave.

Caring and passionate teachersSafe and secure facilityClean and well-maintained
Address
2200 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 459-1825
Calvary Chapel Christian School Vpk
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
3500 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL
Phone
(321) 459-2900

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Frequently asked questions

There are 7 child daycare & preschools daycares in Merritt Island, Florida, out of 11 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 Merritt Island, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Florida's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Florida)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Merritt Island offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 4 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 Florida 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 Merritt Island for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Merritt Island must be licensed by Florida'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.