Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Traverse City, MI
Compare 26 child daycare & preschools in Traverse City. Average rating: 4.24/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Traverse City, Michigan at a glance
- Programs
- 26
- Avg rating
- 4.24/5
- Parent reviews
- 94
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 8
Traverse City has 26 licensed child daycare & preschools with 94 parent reviews averaging 4.24/5.8 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 47% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 49686 zip code, averaging 4.59 stars across 18 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Traverse City
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.
- 1Bayview Child Care Center And Preschool4.64 score4.8(20)
720 Wayne Street, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
Note: The reviews provided are for Bayview Wesleyan Church, not the daycare center. Reviews praise the church's welcoming atmosphere, pastoral leadership, and community involvement, but do not address daycare services, facilities, staff, or child care quality.
Welcoming congregationskilled pastor and teacherscommunity involvement (homeless servicesSpecial Olympics) - 2Community Children'S Center4.44 score4.8(6)
6105 Center Road, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children
Community Children's Center in Traverse City receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents. Reviews consistently praise the cleanliness, organization, and quality of staff. Parents highlight the caring and excellent nature of the staff with children.
Clean facilityorganizedcaring staffexcellent with children - 3Traverse City Christian Schools4.2 score4.4(5)
753 Emerson Road, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children
Parents praise Traverse City Christian Schools for its welcoming environment, kind and caring teachers, and strong religious instruction. The school is noted for being fun and engaging, with positive community involvement including basketball programs for law enforcement and youth teams.
Kind and caring teachersreligious education focused on Bible and faithfun learning environmentfriendly to outsiders - 4Strong Foundation Childcare3.95 score3.9(5)
790 Indian Trail Blvd, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 12 children
Strong Foundation Childcare receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with four 5-star reviews praising the caring staff, educational quality, and positive impact on children's development. However, one 1-star review describes a negative experience involving attempted disenrollment and a CPS report, which the parent disputes.
Kind and attentive staffstrong early childhood educationcaring and patient teacherschildren enthusiastic about attendi - 5Central Day Care Center3.93 score3.9(11)
4100 Barnes Road, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 74 children
Central Day Care Center in Traverse City receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, engaging activities, and transformational leadership under Director Lindsay. The facility has reportedly improved significantly in recent years and maintains strong parent communication. However, a small number of parents reported scheduling reliability issues and difficulty reaching staff.
caring and attentive teachersstrong director leadersh - 6Nmcaa Preschool - Discovery3.7 score3.4(5)
3962 Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children
This daycare center has very limited review data with a 3.4/5 Google rating based on minimal feedback. Reviews are predominantly negative, citing poor communication, lack of responsiveness, and inadequate support services. One positive review noted that issues were eventually resolved after management contact.
Responsive management when contactedissues resolved upon follow-up - 7Teddy Bear Daycare And Preschool 14th St. LLC3.65 score3.4(7)
222 E. 14th Street, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 74 children
Teddy Bear Daycare receives mostly positive reviews praising its nature-based curriculum, staff communication, and developmental focus. However, two negative reviews raise concerns about understaffing, professionalism, and defensive staff responses. The facility maintains consistent 5-star ratings from satisfied parents alongside isolated but serious complaints.
Nature-based programsoutdoor activitiesexcellent staff communicationtrustworthy environment - 8Munson Child Development Center2.8 score2.5(20)
1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 104 children
The reviews provided are for Munson Medical Center, a hospital in Traverse City, Michigan, not Munson Child Development Center. This appears to be a data mismatch, as the reviews discuss hospital care rather than daycare services.
None applicable - reviews are for a medical facilitynot a daycare
Rating Distribution
Based on 17 daycares with Google ratings in Traverse City
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Traverse City, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Traverse City zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49686 | 18 | 4.59 | 5 | |
| 49684 | 16 | 4.1 | 3 | |
| 49685 | 7 | 3.67 | 0 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Traverse City (12–232 children)
Small
up to 30 children
8
Medium
31–75 children
20
Large
76–150 children
14
Very Large
150+ children
1
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Traverse City based on parent reviews
Bayview Child Care Center And Preschool
720 Wayne Street, Traverse City, MI
Note: The reviews provided are for Bayview Wesleyan Church, not the daycare center. Reviews praise the church's welcoming atmosphere, pastoral leadership, and community involvement, but do not address daycare services, facilities, staff, or child care quality.
Community Children'S Center
6105 Center Road, Traverse City, MI
Community Children's Center in Traverse City receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents. Reviews consistently praise the cleanliness, organization, and quality of staff. Parents highlight the caring and excellent nature of the staff with children.
Pathways Preschool
703 Rose Street, Traverse City, MI
Reviewers highlight the center's play-based, nature-integrated approach, noting that children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in this environment. Parents appreciate the warm leadership and the engaging outdoor spaces, including gardens and water features, which make daily attendance exciting for young children.
Angel Care Child Care
834 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI
Reviewers highlight the caring and engaging staff who implement fun learning projects, noting that one child has attended for over three years without issues. Additionally, the center's non-profit status allows it to provide financial assistance to families who might otherwise be unable to afford care.
Angel Care Children'S Center At Omps
2699 Island View Dr., Traverse City, MI
One parent highlights the center as a wonderful, non-profit facility with caring teachers who engage children in fun learning projects, while another notes the amazing staff and lack of issues over a three-year period. Both reviewers express strong satisfaction with the quality of care and the organization's financial support for families.
Traverse City Christian Schools
753 Emerson Road, Traverse City, MI
Parents praise Traverse City Christian Schools for its welcoming environment, kind and caring teachers, and strong religious instruction. The school is noted for being fun and engaging, with positive community involvement including basketball programs for law enforcement and youth teams.
Map
Daycare types in Traverse City
Browse by type in Traverse City
Child Daycare & Preschools in Traverse City, Michigan
There are 26 child daycare & preschools in Traverse City, Michigan, making up 60% of the 43 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 Traverse City have an average rating of 4.24 out of 5 across 17 rated facilities, with 47% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.24 stars. Our analysis covers 94 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Traverse City, 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 Traverse City
Showing 26 results
Reviewers highlight the center's play-based, nature-integrated approach, noting that children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically in this environment. Parents appreciate the warm leadership and the engaging outdoor spaces, including gardens and water features, which make daily attendance exciting for young children.
- Address
- 703 Rose Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 943-2418
A parent reports that their two children enjoyed the teachers, environment, and additional resources at this center. They describe the staff as supportive and consider it the best daycare option in Traverse City.
- Address
- 1860 College Dr., Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 342-7861
- Address
- 720 S Elmwood, Suite 1, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 946-3950
Reviewers highlight the caring and engaging staff who implement fun learning projects, noting that one child has attended for over three years without issues. Additionally, the center's non-profit status allows it to provide financial assistance to families who might otherwise be unable to afford care.
- Address
- 834 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 933-3232
One parent highlights the center as a wonderful, non-profit facility with caring teachers who engage children in fun learning projects, while another notes the amazing staff and lack of issues over a three-year period. Both reviewers express strong satisfaction with the quality of care and the organization's financial support for families.
- Address
- 2699 Island View Dr., Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 933-3232
- Address
- 5625 Gray Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 922-0776
Note: The reviews provided are for Bayview Wesleyan Church, not the daycare center. Reviews praise the church's welcoming atmosphere, pastoral leadership, and community involvement, but do not address daycare services, facilities, staff, or child care quality.
- Address
- 720 Wayne Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 633-4582
Community Children's Center in Traverse City receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents. Reviews consistently praise the cleanliness, organization, and quality of staff. Parents highlight the caring and excellent nature of the staff with children.
- Address
- 6105 Center Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 947-1650
Parents praise Traverse City Christian Schools for its welcoming environment, kind and caring teachers, and strong religious instruction. The school is noted for being fun and engaging, with positive community involvement including basketball programs for law enforcement and youth teams.
- Address
- 753 Emerson Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 929-1747
One parent highlights the nature-based curriculum and fantastic garden, while another praises the staff's professionalism and effective communication. However, a third review cites poor communication skills and a lack of positive feedback during daily handovers.
- Address
- 7738 N. Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 409-7990
Strong Foundation Childcare receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, with four 5-star reviews praising the caring staff, educational quality, and positive impact on children's development. However, one 1-star review describes a negative experience involving attempted disenrollment and a CPS report, which the parent disputes.
- Address
- 790 Indian Trail Blvd, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 632-0488
Central Day Care Center in Traverse City receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, engaging activities, and transformational leadership under Director Lindsay. The facility has reportedly improved significantly in recent years and maintains strong parent communication. However, a small number of parents reported scheduling reliability issues and difficulty reaching staff.
- Address
- 4100 Barnes Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 947-6131
Feedback for the YMCA Child Development Center in Traverse City is mixed, with some parents expressing strong satisfaction while others cite serious operational failures. One reviewer highlights the positive staff and environment, whereas another reports a significant incident involving unauthorized pickup restrictions and poor communication. The few reviews so far present contrasting experiences regarding the quality of care and administrative reliability.
- Address
- 1027 Mcrae Hill Rd, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 346-4968
This daycare center has very limited review data with a 3.4/5 Google rating based on minimal feedback. Reviews are predominantly negative, citing poor communication, lack of responsiveness, and inadequate support services. One positive review noted that issues were eventually resolved after management contact.
- Address
- 3962 Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 947-3780
Teddy Bear Daycare receives mostly positive reviews praising its nature-based curriculum, staff communication, and developmental focus. However, two negative reviews raise concerns about understaffing, professionalism, and defensive staff responses. The facility maintains consistent 5-star ratings from satisfied parents alongside isolated but serious complaints.
- Address
- 222 E. 14th Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 941-1330
- Address
- 1497b Bass Lake Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 941-4877
The reviews provided are for Munson Medical Center, a hospital in Traverse City, Michigan, not Munson Child Development Center. This appears to be a data mismatch, as the reviews discuss hospital care rather than daycare services.
- Address
- 1105 Sixth Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 935-7990
- Address
- 11930 S. West Bayshore Dr, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 995-3800
- Address
- 402 9th Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 590-3806
- Address
- 5363 N. Long Lake Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 929-9325
- Address
- 1050 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 947-2725
- Address
- 1245 Hammond Road East, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 932-6953
- Address
- 2699 Island View Road, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 492-0327
- Address
- 3962 Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 933-5860
- Address
- 1600 Chartwell Drive, Suite F, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 933-7465
- Address
- 123 E 11th Street, Traverse City, MI
- Phone
- (231) 590-3806
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Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with Michigan's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Michigan)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 26 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
- Church Daycare — 2 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 14 facilities