How many child daycare & preschools daycares are in Lowell, Massachusetts?

There are 11 child daycare & preschools daycares in Lowell, Massachusetts, out of 18 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

What is the average rating of daycares in Lowell?

Based on parent reviews, daycares in Lowell have an average Google rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 11 rated facilities. About 36% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.

How do I choose the right daycare in Lowell?

When choosing a daycare in Lowell, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with Massachusetts's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Massachusetts) 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 Lowell?

Lowell offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 11 facilities Church Daycare — 1 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 6 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

What is the average cost of daycare in Massachusetts?

Daycare costs in Massachusetts 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 Lowell for current pricing.

Are daycares in Lowell licensed and regulated?

Yes, daycare centers in Lowell must be licensed by Massachusetts'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.

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Lowell, MA — Compare 11+

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Lowell

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
Merrimack Valley Christian Day School, INC.
4.35 score
4.6(7)
1195 Varnum Ave, Lowell, MA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 52 children
Merrimack Valley Christian Day School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the caring teachers, creative curriculum, and positive impact on children's development. One parent raised serious concerns about a teacher's physical treatment of a young child and the director's delayed communication about the incident.
Kind and compassionate teachersfocus on social skills developmentcreative and engaging curriculumclean and safe facility
2
Greater Lowell Family Ymca @ Stoklosa
4.32 score
4.4(20)
580 Broadway St, Lowell, MA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 52 children
Parents praise the Greater Lowell Family YMCA for its clean, well-maintained facilities and genuinely caring staff. The center offers diverse programs including swimming, fitness, physical therapy, and summer camps that parents say children enjoy and thrive in. Multiple reviewers highlight the welcoming atmosphere and comprehensive services for families.
Clean facilitiesfriendly and helpful staffupdated pooldiverse programs for children
3
Greater Lowell Family Ymca-Reilly
4.32 score
4.4(20)
115 Douglas Rd, Lowell, MA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 60 children
Parents consistently praise the Lowell YMCA facility for its friendly, supportive staff and well-maintained amenities including an updated pool, gym, and specialized programs. The center offers comprehensive services for children through summer camps and preschool, with particular recognition for helping families during difficult circumstances. Multiple reviewers describe feeling welcomed and comfortable in a family-like environment.
Clean facilitiesfriendly and helpful staffupdated poolwell-equipped gym and weight training
4
Lowell Day Nursery
4.22 score
4.3(14)
119 Hall St, Lowell, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 109 children
Parents consistently praise Lowell Day Nursery for its experienced staff, quality care, and family-oriented environment. The facility is noted for its longevity in the community, NAEYC accreditation, and staff retention. Multiple reviewers highlight the teachers' patience and dedication, particularly with children with special needs.
Caring and patient teachersexperienced staff with low turnoverNAEYC accreditedmeals included
5
Girls Incorporated Of Greater Lowell
3.93 score
3.9(11)
220 Worthen St, Lowell, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 104 children
Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most reviewers praising the nurturing, safe environment and engaging staff. Parents and attendees highlight the hands-on leadership, fun activities, and positive changes they've observed. One negative review reported bullying concerns and inadequate staff response.
engaging and fun staffsafe and nurturing environmenthands-on director and active boardquality activities and gym choices
6
Small Steps Daycare
3.84 score
3.8(20)
1275 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children
Small Steps Daycare receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are happy, well-cared for, and develop strong attachments to staff. Parents highlight the owner Karen's responsiveness, the center's organization, safety features, and use of a communication app for daily updates. Multiple long-term families express satisfaction with the curriculum, activities, and family-like environment.
Caring and attentive staffresponsive owner (Karen)daily app updates with photosage-appropriate activities and curriculum

Rating Distribution

Based on 11 daycares with Google ratings in Lowell

4.5 - 5.0

4

4.0 - 4.4

4

3.0 - 3.9

2

Below 3

1

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Lowell, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.1avg rating

11 daycares · 7 rated

Before or After School Daycare

Church Daycare

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Lowell zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip Code	Daycares	Avg. Rating	Top Rated
01854	8	4.3	1
01852	5	4.12	2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Lowell (16–392 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

10

Large

76–150 children

4

Very Large

150+ children

2

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Lowell based on parent reviews

Lowell Day Nursery

4.3(14)

119 Hall St, Lowell, MA

Parents consistently praise Lowell Day Nursery for its experienced staff, quality care, and family-oriented environment. The facility is noted for its longevity in the community, NAEYC accreditation, and staff retention. Multiple reviewers highlight the teachers' patience and dedication, particularly with children with special needs.

Caring and patient teachersexperienced staff with low turnoverNAEYC accredited

Lowell Collaborative Preschool Academy

4.4(3)

554 Pawtucket St, Lowell, MA

A parent highlights the center's supportive parenting classes and successful early intervention outcomes for a child with complex medical and developmental needs, while another review praises outreach services for families experiencing homelessness. Conversely, one parent reports severe dissatisfaction with health safety protocols, citing excessive testing requirements and exposure to contagious illnesses like hand, foot, and mouth disease.

supportive parenting classesfree childcare and food during classeseffective early intervention for speech and cognitive delays

Children'S Village At The Mill

4.5

246 Market St, Lowell, MA

Learning Latta

5

75 Douglas Rd, Lowell, MA

Girls Incorporated Of Greater Lowell

3.9(11)

220 Worthen St, Lowell, MA

Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most reviewers praising the nurturing, safe environment and engaging staff. Parents and attendees highlight the hands-on leadership, fun activities, and positive changes they've observed. One negative review reported bullying concerns and inadequate staff response.

engaging and fun staffsafe and nurturing environmenthands-on director and active board

Small Steps Daycare

3.8(20)

1275 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell, MA

Small Steps Daycare receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are happy, well-cared for, and develop strong attachments to staff. Parents highlight the owner Karen's responsiveness, the center's organization, safety features, and use of a communication app for daily updates. Multiple long-term families express satisfaction with the curriculum, activities, and family-like environment.

Caring and attentive staffresponsive owner (Karen)daily app updates with photos

Map

Child Daycare & Preschools in Lowell, Massachusetts

There are 11 child daycare & preschools in Lowell, Massachusetts, making up 61% of the 18 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 Lowell have an average rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 11 rated facilities, with 36% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.6 stars. Our analysis covers 138 parent reviews.

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

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Lowell, MA

Lowell, Massachusetts at a glance