How do I choose the right daycare in Athens?

When choosing a daycare in Athens, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with Georgia's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Georgia) Safety measures and cleanliness Daily routines and educational curriculum Parent reviews and ratings Location and hours that fit your schedule

What types of daycare are available in Athens?

Athens offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 36 facilities Church Daycare — 5 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 15 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Child Daycare & Preschools in Athens, Georgia (36 Results)

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

Daycare costs in Georgia 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 Athens for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Athens

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.

Primrose School Of Athens

4.78 score

5(18)

180 Athens Town Boulevard, Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 199 children

Primrose School of Athens receives perfect 5-star ratings across all reviews. Parents consistently praise the caring, invested staff, safe and clean facility, structured educational approach, and strong communication. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show measurable academic and social growth.

Dedicated and caring teachersconsistent staff with low turnoversafe and clean facilitystructured learning with no screen time

Lil' Explorers

4.56 score

4.7(20)

4680 Lexington Road, Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Unable to provide summary. The reviews provided are for Cornerstone Church Athens, a religious institution, not for Lil' Explorers daycare center in Athens, Georgia. No actual daycare reviews are available to analyze.

None - reviews are for a different establishment

Trinity Lutheran Academy

4.48 score

4.7(11)

2535 Jefferson Road, Athens, GA · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Trinity Lutheran Academy is a religious facility in Athens, Georgia that receives consistently positive feedback from parents. Reviews highlight the welcoming atmosphere, educated and communicative teachers, clean facilities, and Bible-based curriculum. Parents express strong satisfaction with both the daycare services and the church community.

Friendly and welcoming staffeducated teachersgood communication with parentsclean facilities

Destiny Starr Creative Learning Academy

4.4 score

4.5(20)

1850 Timothy Road, Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 120 children

Destiny Starr Creative Learning Academy receives perfect 5-star ratings from all reviewers. Parents consistently praise the caring, attentive staff, creative curriculum, and safe, nurturing environment that prepares children well for elementary school. Children reportedly enjoy attending daily and show strong growth in academics and confidence.

caring and professional staffcreative curriculum that encourages imaginationsafe and nurturing environmentindividualized attention to children's needs

Lifespan Montessori Of Athens INC.

4.35 score

4.6(7)

570 Research Drive, Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 87 children

Lifespan Montessori of Athens receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and knowledgeable teaching staff, strong educational outcomes, and nurturing environment. One parent raised concerns about infant room operations, including the legal minimum staff-to-baby ratio feeling chaotic, security procedures, and lack of preparation for new enrollments.

Caring and attentive teachersstrong academic preparation for elementary schoolwarm and nurturing environmentchildren excited to attend

Child Development Lab At The Mcphaul Center

4.2 score

4.4(5)

202 Carlton Street, Athens, GA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 101 children

Parents overwhelmingly praise Child Development Lab as one of the best daycares in Athens, highlighting highly trained and empathetic staff and excellent early learning experiences under UGA's operation. One parent reported concerns about waiting list management practices.

Highly trained and empathetic staffexcellent quality of carestrong learning environmentuniversity-run program

Friendship Presbyterian Preschool

4.2 score

4.4(5)

8531 Macon Hwy., Athens, GA · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

Parents praise Friendship Presbyterian Preschool as a welcoming and loving environment with outstanding leadership. The facility is described as a small church with a big mission that emphasizes God's love and community. Staff and clergy are noted as friendly, innovative, and engaging.

Welcoming atmosphereloving communitystrong leadership (Pastor Tara Bulger)biblically sound teaching

Tuckston Umc Pre-School

4.16 score

4.2(20)

4175 Lexington Road, Athens, GA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 63 children

Tuckston UMC Pre-School receives consistently positive feedback from parents. Parents praise the responsive teachers, caring environment, and helpful director Connie. Children are reported to be well-cared for and happy in the program.

Responsive and loving teacherswelcoming environmenthelpful director (Connie)top-notch preschool program

Georgia Academy Of Early Learning

4.08 score

4.1(20)

2400 Daniels Bridge Rd., Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 255 children

Georgia Academy of Early Learning receives consistently excellent feedback from parents, with all recent reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring and professional staff, quality curriculum, cleanliness, and strong communication. Many parents note significant improvements since the center transitioned to Big Blue Marble Academy ownership in late 2022.

Caring and invested staffprofessional environmentquality curriculum with developmental focusexcellent communication and daily updates

University Childcare Center

4.06 score

4.1(8)

111 Bowstrom Road, Athens, GA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 146 children

University Childcare Center in Athens, Georgia receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the engaging teachers, clean facilities, and happy children. However, one former parent raised serious concerns about data privacy practices, including failure to remove their information upon departure and accidental disclosure of another student's information.

engaging teachersclean facilitiessafe environmentcaring staff

Child Daycare & Preschools in Athens, Georgia

There are 36 child daycare & preschools in Athens, Georgia, making up 64% of the 56 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 Athens, 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 36 child daycare & preschools daycares in Athens, Georgia, out of 56 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 Athens, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

Licensing status with Georgia's regulatory agency
Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Georgia)
Safety measures and cleanliness
Daily routines and educational curriculum
Parent reviews and ratings
Location and hours that fit your schedule

Athens offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 36 facilities
Church Daycare — 5 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 15 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 Georgia 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 Athens for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Athens must be licensed by Georgia'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.

36 Child Daycare & Preschools in Athens, Georgia

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Athens

Top Rated

Primrose School Of Athens

Lil' Explorers

Athens Clarke County Leisure Services

Destiny Starr Creative Learning Academy

Heaven'S Rainbow Learning Center LLC

Lifespan Montessori Of Athens INC.

Map

Daycare types in Athens

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