Children at daycare

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Malden, MA

Compare 8 child daycare & preschools in Malden. Average rating: 4.06/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Malden, Massachusetts at a glance

Programs
8
Avg rating
4.06/5
Parent reviews
59
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Malden has 8 licensed child daycare & preschools with 59 parent reviews averaging 4.06/5.The largest concentration is in 02148 with 13 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Malden

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
    My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center
    4.31 score
    4.4(17)

    384 Main St, Malden, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 116 children

    My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center in Malden receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating the facility 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring, professional staff, strong developmental support, and nurturing environment that makes children feel at home. Multiple families report their children were well-prepared for kindergarten and felt comfortable leaving their infants and toddlers in the center's care.

    caring and nurturing staffstrong developmental milestones and academic preparationprofessional and experienced teachersgood parent communication via Brightwheel app and photos

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Malden

4.5 - 5.0
2
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
4
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.85avg rating
8 daycares · 4 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4avg rating
5 daycares · 2 rated

Church Daycare

5avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Malden zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0214813
4.06
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Malden (15–287 children)

Small

up to 30 children

1

Medium

31–75 children

7

Large

76–150 children

5

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Malden based on parent reviews

My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center

4.4(17)

384 Main St, Malden, MA

My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center in Malden receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating the facility 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring, professional staff, strong developmental support, and nurturing environment that makes children feel at home. Multiple families report their children were well-prepared for kindergarten and felt comfortable leaving their infants and toddlers in the center's care.

caring and nurturing staffstrong developmental milestones and academic preparationprofessional and experienced teachers

Kiddie Garden Early Learning Center

3.7(1)

240 Main St, Malden, MA

Kid Stop Early Ed Program

3.7(3)

380 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA

One parent describes an exceptional experience with dedicated teachers and a supportive director, while another reports a negative experience involving frequent illness, rude staff, and a lack of communication. A third review highlights a loving environment with warm teachers and regular activity updates for their toddler.

teachers go above and beyonddirector is approachable and organizedstrong academic and social growth

On The Road Again Early Learning Center

3.6(4)

180 Exchange St., Malden, MA

One parent reports excellent care and strong teacher-child bonds, with their toddler enjoying the environment and making friends. Conversely, other parents allege severe neglect and abuse, including physical injury to a non-verbal child, isolation and yelling directed at children on the spectrum, and a lack of accountability from staff and authorities.

caring and attentive teacherspositive social interactions for toddlersresponsive staff

Map

Daycare types in Malden

Child Daycare & Preschools 8Church Daycare 1Before or After School Daycare 5

Child Daycare & Preschools in Malden, Massachusetts

There are 8 child daycare & preschools in Malden, Massachusetts, making up 57% of the 14 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 Malden have an average rating of 4.06 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 29% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 59 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Malden, 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 Malden

Showing 8 results

My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.4

My Little Best Friends Early Learning Center in Malden receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating the facility 5/5 stars. Parents praise the caring, professional staff, strong developmental support, and nurturing environment that makes children feel at home. Multiple families report their children were well-prepared for kindergarten and felt comfortable leaving their infants and toddlers in the center's care.

caring and nurturing staffstrong developmental milestones and academic preparationprofessional and experienced teachers
Address
384 Main St, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 321-1085
Kiddie Garden Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7
Address
240 Main St, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 605-3372
Kid Stop Early Ed Program
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7

One parent describes an exceptional experience with dedicated teachers and a supportive director, while another reports a negative experience involving frequent illness, rude staff, and a lack of communication. A third review highlights a loving environment with warm teachers and regular activity updates for their toddler.

teachers go above and beyonddirector is approachable and organizedstrong academic and social growth
Address
380 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 324-3445
On The Road Again Early Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.6

One parent reports excellent care and strong teacher-child bonds, with their toddler enjoying the environment and making friends. Conversely, other parents allege severe neglect and abuse, including physical injury to a non-verbal child, isolation and yelling directed at children on the spectrum, and a lack of accountability from staff and authorities.

caring and attentive teacherspositive social interactions for toddlersresponsive staff
Address
180 Exchange St., Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 321-3578
Idiil Learning Center @ Malden
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
380 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 399-4643
Metro North Children'S Learning Center, INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
605r Broadway, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 324-2028
Malden Ymca Outreach-School Age Child Care Program
Child Daycare & Preschools

This YMCA facility has received consistently positive feedback from members, with particular praise for front desk staff excellence and facility cleanliness. Reviews highlight the welcoming atmosphere and helpful customer service. One security concern was raised regarding unauthorized photography at the facility.

Front desk staff (particularly Rosey/Rosie/Rose) professionalism and friendlinessclean facilityhelpful and knowledgeable staff
Address
99 Dartmouth St, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 324-7680 EXT 227
Malden Ywca After School Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools

Parents consistently praise the daycare's care quality, with multiple 5-star reviews highlighting staff dedication and child comfort. One parent noted poor customer service when inquiring about programs. Overall, the facility receives strong approval from families currently enrolled.

Staff professionalism and kindnesswelcoming environmentaccommodating and understanding approach
Address
54 Washington St, Malden, MA
Phone
(781) 322-3760

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Frequently asked questions

There are 8 child daycare & preschools daycares in Malden, Massachusetts, out of 14 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Malden have an average Google rating of 4.06 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 29% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Malden, 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
Malden offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 8 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 5 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 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 Malden for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Malden 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.