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

There are 9 child daycare & preschools daycares in Stillwater, Minnesota, out of 13 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 Stillwater?

Based on parent reviews, daycares in Stillwater have an average Google rating of 4.72 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities. About 75% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.

How do I choose the right daycare in Stillwater?

When choosing a daycare in Stillwater, 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 types of daycare are available in Stillwater?

Stillwater offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 9 facilities Headstart Programs — 1 facilities Church Daycare — 2 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 1 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 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 Stillwater for current pricing.

Are daycares in Stillwater licensed and regulated?

Yes, daycare centers in Stillwater 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 Stillwater, MN — Compare 9+

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Stillwater

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
Smart Start Childcare & Learning Center
4.58 score
4.8(13)
14480 60th St N, Stillwater, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 124 children
Smart Start Childcare & Learning Center in Stillwater receives exclusively positive feedback from parents. Parents consistently praise the caring, dedicated staff led by owner Gina, the educational curriculum, outdoor learning opportunities, and the center's ability to help children thrive developmentally. Many parents report their children are excited to attend and feel confident in the quality of care provided.
Caring and dedicated staffStrong kindergarten preparationExtensive outdoor learning space including woods and outdoor classroomDaily picture and activity updates via app
2
Salem Lutheran Church & School
4.47 score
4.7(10)
14940 62nd St N, Stillwater, MN · Church Daycare · Capacity: 60 children
Salem Lutheran Church & School in Stillwater is a highly-rated religious facility praised for its welcoming faith community, quality education, and supportive environment. Parents consistently highlight the caring staff, strong pastoral leadership, and sense of belonging. The school appears to serve families from the surrounding area well, with multiple multi-year members reporting positive experiences.
Welcoming communityquality faculty and school stafffaith-bas
3
St Croix Kids Early Childhood Center
4.15 score
4.3(5)
111 E Orleans St, Stillwater, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 44 children
St. Croix Kids receives mostly positive reviews praising staff warmth, low turnover, small class sizes, and strong academic/social preparation for kindergarten. However, one parent raised serious concerns about differential treatment of children based on race, including isolation and exclusion from events.
Low staff turnoversmall class sizeswarm and caring environmentstrong communication with parents
4
Magical Minds Childcare & Learning Center
4 score
4(20)
6740 Stillwater Blvd, Stillwater, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children
Magical Minds receives consistently high praise from parents for quality care, loving staff, and strong communication. Parents report their children are happy, safe, and thriving in a nurturing environment with engaging activities and professional management.
Caring and affectionate teachersresponsive communication with parentssmooth transitions for infantsengaging curriculum and activities (music

Rating Distribution

Based on 8 daycares with Google ratings in Stillwater

4.5 - 5.0

6

4.0 - 4.4

2

3.0 - 3.9

0

Below 3

0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

Church Daycare

Before or After School Daycare

Headstart Programs

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Stillwater zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip Code	Daycares	Avg. Rating	Top Rated
55082	13	4.72	6

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Stillwater (20–130 children)

Small

up to 30 children

4

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

5

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Stillwater based on parent reviews

Smart Start Childcare & Learning Center

4.8(13)

14480 60th St N, Stillwater, MN

Smart Start Childcare & Learning Center in Stillwater receives exclusively positive feedback from parents. Parents consistently praise the caring, dedicated staff led by owner Gina, the educational curriculum, outdoor learning opportunities, and the center's ability to help children thrive developmentally. Many parents report their children are excited to attend and feel confident in the quality of care provided.

Caring and dedicated staffStrong kindergarten preparationExtensive outdoor learning space including woods and outdoor classroom

Sunny Hill Preschool

5(2)

813 W Myrtle St, Stillwater, MN

One parent describes a highly positive experience where children enjoyed the kind teachers, special guests, and optional programs like soccer and music, despite limited outdoor time in winter. Another review from an adult who attended as a child calls the place amazing and highly recommends it.

kind and caring teachersspecial guests (zookeepersmusic)

Valley Preschool

5(2)

413 S Greeley St, Stillwater, MN

Parents highlight the school's small size, compassionate teachers, and strong curriculum as key strengths. Reviewers also appreciate the responsive communication and community-building events that involve families.

small class sizekind and compassionate teachersstrong curriculum

St Croix Kids Early Childhood Center

4.3(5)

111 E Orleans St, Stillwater, MN

St. Croix Kids receives mostly positive reviews praising staff warmth, low turnover, small class sizes, and strong academic/social preparation for kindergarten. However, one parent raised serious concerns about differential treatment of children based on race, including isolation and exclusion from events.

Low staff turnoversmall class sizeswarm and caring environment

Magical Minds Childcare & Learning Center

4(20)

6740 Stillwater Blvd, Stillwater, MN

Magical Minds receives consistently high praise from parents for quality care, loving staff, and strong communication. Parents report their children are happy, safe, and thriving in a nurturing environment with engaging activities and professional management.

Caring and affectionate teachersresponsive communication with parentssmooth transitions for infants

Map

Child Daycare & Preschools in Stillwater, Minnesota

There are 9 child daycare & preschools in Stillwater, Minnesota, making up 69% of the 13 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 Stillwater have an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities, with 75% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 70 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Stillwater, 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 Stillwater, MN

Stillwater, Minnesota at a glance