How many child daycare & preschools daycares are in Elk River, Minnesota?

There are 7 child daycare & preschools daycares in Elk River, Minnesota. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

What is the average rating of daycares in Elk River?

Based on parent reviews, daycares in Elk River have an average Google rating of 4.75 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities. About 75% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.

How do I choose the right daycare in Elk River?

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

What is the average cost of daycare in Minnesota?

Daycare costs in Minnesota 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 Elk River for current pricing.

Are daycares in Elk River licensed and regulated?

Yes, daycare centers in Elk River must be licensed by Minnesota'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 Elk River, MN — Compare 7+

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Elk River

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
First Step Preschool & Childcare LLC
4.74 score
5(14)
555 Railroad Dr, Elk River, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 65 children
First Step Preschool & Childcare in Elk River has received perfect 5/5 star ratings from parents who praise the caring, invested staff and positive learning environment. Parents report their children have thrived academically and socially, with staff helping with transitions like potty training and new siblings. Communication with parents through the Brightwheel app and strong safety practices are consistently highlighted.
caring and dedicated staffchildren thriving and learningsmall class sizesclean facility
2
Little Lambs Christian Learning Center
4.69 score
5(11)
1103 School St, Elk River, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 164 children
Little Lambs Christian Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, passionate staff and nurturing environment. Parents highlight excellent communication through daily updates, quality in-house meals, and well-maintained facilities with age-appropriate spaces. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show enthusiasm for learning and development.
Kind and attentive staffdaily communication via Brightwheel appin-house mealsseparate playgrounds for age groups
3
Dawn Of Discovery
4.6 score
4.9(10)
19280 Evans St Nw, Elk River, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 116 children
Dawn of Discovery is a highly-regarded family-owned center in Elk River with consistently positive feedback. Parents praise the caring, knowledgeable staff at all levels, strong curriculum, and excellent communication. Children show significant academic progress and emotional attachment to the facility.
Caring and passionate staffstrong curriculum and learning outcomesexcellent parent communication through multiple channelsclean and well-maintained facility
4
Appletime INC
4.07 score
4.1(15)
11078 170th Ave Nw, Elk River, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 96 children
Parents consistently praise Appletime Inc (also referred to as Creative Kids Academy) for exceptional, caring staff and a safe, nurturing environment. Children show significant developmental progress in academics, social skills, and emotional learning. The facility receives universal positive feedback with strong parent satisfaction across all age groups from infants through preschool.
Caring and dedicated teacherssafe environmentstrong child development and learning outcomessocial-emotional learning curriculum

Rating Distribution

Based on 4 daycares with Google ratings in Elk River

4.5 - 5.0

3

4.0 - 4.4

1

3.0 - 3.9

0

Below 3

0

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Elk River zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip Code	Daycares	Avg. Rating	Top Rated
55330	7	4.75	3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Elk River (20–164 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

1

Large

76–150 children

3

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Elk River based on parent reviews

First Step Preschool & Childcare LLC

5(14)

555 Railroad Dr, Elk River, MN

First Step Preschool & Childcare in Elk River has received perfect 5/5 star ratings from parents who praise the caring, invested staff and positive learning environment. Parents report their children have thrived academically and socially, with staff helping with transitions like potty training and new siblings. Communication with parents through the Brightwheel app and strong safety practices are consistently highlighted.

caring and dedicated staffchildren thriving and learningsmall class sizes

Little Lambs Christian Learning Center

5(11)

1103 School St, Elk River, MN

Little Lambs Christian Learning Center receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, passionate staff and nurturing environment. Parents highlight excellent communication through daily updates, quality in-house meals, and well-maintained facilities with age-appropriate spaces. Children reportedly enjoy attending and show enthusiasm for learning and development.

Kind and attentive staffdaily communication via Brightwheel appin-house meals

Dawn Of Discovery

4.9(10)

19280 Evans St Nw, Elk River, MN

Dawn of Discovery is a highly-regarded family-owned center in Elk River with consistently positive feedback. Parents praise the caring, knowledgeable staff at all levels, strong curriculum, and excellent communication. Children show significant academic progress and emotional attachment to the facility.

Caring and passionate staffstrong curriculum and learning outcomesexcellent parent communication through multiple channels

Appletime INC

4.1(15)

11078 170th Ave Nw, Elk River, MN

Parents consistently praise Appletime Inc (also referred to as Creative Kids Academy) for exceptional, caring staff and a safe, nurturing environment. Children show significant developmental progress in academics, social skills, and emotional learning. The facility receives universal positive feedback with strong parent satisfaction across all age groups from infants through preschool.

Caring and dedicated teacherssafe environmentstrong child development and learning outcomes

Map

Child Daycare & Preschools in Elk River, Minnesota

There are 7 child daycare & preschools in Elk River, Minnesota. 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 Elk River have an average rating of 4.75 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities, with 75% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.75 stars. Our analysis covers 66 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Elk River, 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 Elk River, MN

Elk River, Minnesota at a glance