
Compare 287 child daycare & preschools in St Louis. Average rating: 4.25/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
St Louis has 287 licensed child daycare & preschools with 2,531 parent reviews averaging 4.25/5.131 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 50% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 63141 (avg 4.85 stars), while 63110 has the largest selection (14 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
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.
4008 Shreve Ave, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 16 children
Parents consistently praise Little People Learning Center for exceptional care, strong child development outcomes, and a loving, Christian-based environment. Staff are described as passionate, patient, and genuinely invested in children's growth. The facility is noted as affordable, well-organized, and the only five-star daycare in St. Louis city.
12546 Conway Rd, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 80 children
Parents consistently praise Lucky Lane as an exceptional early childhood program with caring, compassionate staff and a warm community environment. The 4-5 acre campus with extensive outdoor spaces, specialized rooms (STEM, music, library, wheel-toy room), and nature-based curriculum are frequently highlighted as standout features. Families appreciate the reasonable tuition, flexible scheduling options, and individualized attention their children receive.
100 E Adams, St Louis, MO · Church Daycare · Capacity: 62 children
First Presbyterian Church Preschool receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring staff, strong teacher-student relationships, and well-rounded curriculum. Parents report their children thrive in this small, welcoming community and feel well-prepared for kindergarten. The school is noted for excellent communication with families and flexibility in scheduling options.
9001 Clayton Rd, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 44 children
Ethical Society Nursery School receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise its play-based learning philosophy, nurturing teachers, and small class sizes. Parents consistently report that their children thrive academically and socially, with strong preparation for kindergarten and a welcoming community atmosphere.
8375 N Broadway Ave, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children
Baden Christian Child Care Center receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the trustworthy, loving, and clean environment. Parents consistently highlight the caring and attentive staff, strong communication, engaging activities, and the center's ability to meet individual child needs including behavioral support. Many parents express deep satisfaction and recommend the center highly.
4221 Shaw Blvd, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
This is not a daycare center but a theater company. The reviews describe Stray Dog Theatre as a high-quality local theater venue in St. Louis known for excellent performances and a welcoming atmosphere.
3800 Watson Rd, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 81 children
Mary Margaret Day Care and Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents. All reviews are 5-star ratings, with parents highlighting the caring and college-educated staff, safe learning environment, child development outcomes, and strong communication. Parents report children are happy, engaged, and excited to attend daily.
6031 Southwest Ave, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
This is not a daycare center—it is a theater company in St. Louis. The reviews describe experiences attending live theatrical performances, not childcare services. All reviews are 5-star ratings praising the venue, performances, and staff.
6131 Leona St, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
This is not a daycare center but a theater venue. The reviews are for Stray Dog Theatre, a community theater in St. Louis, not a childcare facility. All reviews praise the theater's performances, intimate venue, and welcoming atmosphere.
2745 Meramec St, St Louis, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children
These reviews are for Stray Dog Theatre, a performance venue, not a daycare center. The reviews describe an intimate theater company in St. Louis that produces high-quality shows in a converted church space with consistently excellent performances and welcoming staff.
Based on 261 daycares with Google ratings in St Louis
Top qualities mentioned across 2,531 reviews, analyzed by AI
Average ratings by facility type in St Louis, based on parent reviews
St Louis zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63141 | 11 | 4.85 | 6 | |
| 63122 | 8 | 4.8 | 4 | |
| 63109 | 6 | 4.78 | 4 | |
| 63112 | 12 | 4.62 | 4 | |
| 63116 | 10 | 4.59 | 6 | |
| 63139 | 11 | 4.58 | 5 | |
| 63110 | 14 | 4.55 | 5 | |
| 63128 | 12 | 4.54 | 4 | |
| 63146 | 6 | 4.53 | 2 | |
| 63123 | 7 | 4.5 | 2 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in St Louis (8–399 children)
Small
up to 30 children
64
Medium
31–75 children
185
Large
76–150 children
111
Very Large
150+ children
32
Highest rated daycares in St Louis based on parent reviews
4008 Shreve Ave, St Louis, MO
Parents consistently praise Little People Learning Center for exceptional care, strong child development outcomes, and a loving, Christian-based environment. Staff are described as passionate, patient, and genuinely invested in children's growth. The facility is noted as affordable, well-organized, and the only five-star daycare in St. Louis city.
12546 Conway Rd, St Louis, MO
Parents consistently praise Lucky Lane as an exceptional early childhood program with caring, compassionate staff and a warm community environment. The 4-5 acre campus with extensive outdoor spaces, specialized rooms (STEM, music, library, wheel-toy room), and nature-based curriculum are frequently highlighted as standout features. Families appreciate the reasonable tuition, flexible scheduling options, and individualized attention their children receive.
9001 Clayton Rd, St Louis, MO
Ethical Society Nursery School receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise its play-based learning philosophy, nurturing teachers, and small class sizes. Parents consistently report that their children thrive academically and socially, with strong preparation for kindergarten and a welcoming community atmosphere.
8375 N Broadway Ave, St Louis, MO
Baden Christian Child Care Center receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the trustworthy, loving, and clean environment. Parents consistently highlight the caring and attentive staff, strong communication, engaging activities, and the center's ability to meet individual child needs including behavioral support. Many parents express deep satisfaction and recommend the center highly.
4221 Shaw Blvd, St Louis, MO
This is not a daycare center but a theater company. The reviews describe Stray Dog Theatre as a high-quality local theater venue in St. Louis known for excellent performances and a welcoming atmosphere.
3800 Watson Rd, St Louis, MO
Mary Margaret Day Care and Learning Center receives consistently high praise from parents. All reviews are 5-star ratings, with parents highlighting the caring and college-educated staff, safe learning environment, child development outcomes, and strong communication. Parents report children are happy, engaged, and excited to attend daily.
St Louis offers a robust selection of 287 childcare and preschool facilities, catering to a wide variety of family needs and schedules. Parents frequently highlight clean environments, safety, and affordable pricing as key factors in their decision-making process. The directory highlights standout options in neighborhoods like 63122, where high satisfaction rates among local families are evident.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in St Louis have an average rating of 4.25 out of 5 across 261 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.61 stars. Our analysis covers 2,531 parent reviews. Parents in St Louis most frequently praise daycares for clean facility, safe environment, and professional staff.
When choosing a daycare in St Louis, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 287 results
Faith's In Home Child Development Center 2 receives mostly positive reviews from parents who praise the educational focus, caring staff, and family-like atmosphere. However, one parent reported a negative experience with staff communication and attitude during an initial inquiry call.
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive about YMCA South County Preschool's facilities and staff. Parents praise the clean, well-maintained facility, friendly and caring staff who genuinely engage with children, and diverse programming including swimming, sports, and fitness classes. The center offers a strong sense of community and reasonably-priced children's activities.
Several parents highlight the center's cleanliness, safety, and engaging educational environment, noting that their children are well-fed and making strong developmental progress. One reviewer expresses extreme dissatisfaction, alleging that staff are unprofessional, exhibit strange energy, and fail to provide adequate food for the children.
D.U.M.A.S. BI-LINGUAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER receives mixed reviews. Most parents praise the attentive, professional staff, caring owner, and supportive environment, while a small number report cleanliness issues, disrespectful staff, and poor communication.
Parents describe the center as exceptionally loving and caring, with staff treating children as if they were their own. Reviewers highlight the owner's genuine kindness, including instances of providing medicine and food when children are sick, and note that children enjoy attending daily. The few reviews mention strong academic engagement and a welcoming atmosphere that makes families feel like part of the community.
Growing Minds Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who appreciate the caring, well-trained staff, clean and safe facility, and strong parent communication. Parents report their children are engaged, happy, and benefiting from educational activities and individualized support. The center is particularly commended for handling behavioral issues appropriately and supporting children's developmental milestones.
Charlotte's Web Early Childhood Center receives mostly positive reviews praising the caring staff, responsive owners Julie and Jared, small class sizes, cleanliness, and engaging activities. However, two negative reviews raise serious concerns about the director's communication, supervision practices, facility safety, and credential misrepresentation.
Parents highlight the center's convenient hours, helpful staff, and focus on academic learning and homework assistance. However, some families report negative experiences regarding rigid behavioral policies that may lead to suspension, as well as concerns about the director's interpersonal conduct.
Honey-Bee Plus receives consistently excellent reviews from parents who praise the caring staff, clean facility, and strong educational outcomes. Parents report their children are excited to attend, develop significantly in speech and learning, and arrive at kindergarten ahead of schedule. The center is described as safe, structured, and family-oriented with responsive leadership.
Little Precious Angels Childcare 2 LLC in St. Louis receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating the center 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the caring and qualified staff, particularly owner Ladonna, clean facility, academic curriculum, and strong communication about their children's daily activities. The center is noted for providing a safe, loving environment where children are happy and engaged.
Parents overwhelmingly praise Brighter Futures Day Care for its caring, professional staff and clean, safe facility. Reviews highlight the center's educational focus, with children learning academics like ABCs, counting, and sight words. Parents express strong loyalty and recommend the facility to others.
TILSUNUP24HR DAYCARE LLC receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the staff's care, flexibility, and learning activities. The facility is noted as reliable and accommodating to various schedules. However, one parent reported significant difficulties contacting the business for enrollment inquiries.
Montessori Learning Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents, with strong praise for teacher dedication, child learning outcomes, and kindergarten readiness. One negative review describes a conflict with the director at a bus stop, alleging aggressive behavior toward a non-enrolled student.
A few reviewers highlight the center's safe, loving environment and commitment to supporting children from diverse backgrounds, including those with behavioral health needs. However, one review notes that the facility operates as a foster care system, with one former resident recommending it based on personal experience.
One parent describes the University of Missouri St. Louis as a very good school in the St. Louis area. The feedback is limited to a single positive comment without specific details on childcare operations.
One parent describes the staff as caring and kind despite being short-staffed, while another criticizes the center for not operating 24 hours.
One parent describes the center as the best in St. Louis, highlighting that their son enjoys the teachers and classmates. Conversely, another reviewer criticizes the facility for having a creepy basement and expresses concern about undergraduate students living in the building above the daycare.
Mary Margaret Day Care has highly polarized reviews. Many parents praise the caring staff, cleanliness, activities, and welcoming environment, particularly for infants. However, several parents raised serious safety concerns including inadequate supervision, hygiene issues, and failure to address parental complaints.
One parent reports an exceptional experience with their son attending for over a year, noting that the family maintains a strong connection with the center. Another parent describes a negative interaction where a staff member spoke too quickly and ended the call abruptly after being asked for clarification.
Kyddie Karnival receives consistently high praise from parents for its strong curriculum, hands-on director and caring staff. Parents highlight the facility's early hours, before/after care, and special events. Children are reported to be happy, engaged in learning, and well-prepared for school transitions.
Webster Child Care Center receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from long-term families who praise the nurturing environment, individualized attention, and strong staff-family relationships. However, two recent 1-star reviews raise serious concerns about billing practices, staff qualifications, supervision issues, and past state citations for safety violations.
JCE Child Care Center receives mixed reviews with strong praise from most parents who describe caring, attentive staff and a family-friendly environment. However, several parents report serious concerns including inadequate hygiene practices, poor communication about health issues, insufficient supervision, and unprofessional staff behavior.
Lots of Love Learning Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring staff, child development, and family-like atmosphere. However, two negative reviews raise concerns about the facility's strict late pickup policy and unspecified allegations that warrant investigation.
Precious Days Learning Academy receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, patient staff and school-like educational approach. Parents highlight strong academic preparation, special needs accommodation, engaging activities, and a family-oriented environment where children thrive both academically and socially.
Buttons and Bows Preschool receives mixed reviews. Positive feedback highlights cleanliness, responsible care, and effective behavior redirection, though some parents praise the facility highly. Negative concerns include safety issues with child injuries, staff retention problems, billing disputes, and misleading 24/7 hours advertising (closed weekends and holidays).
Lamb's Bride Child Care Center is a church-based facility offering weekend and after-hours care with consistently positive feedback from long-term families. Parents praise the friendly, helpful staff and family-oriented environment. The center requires out-of-pocket payment and shot records for enrollment.
Good Shepherd Infant and Toddler Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the loving, well-trained staff and supportive environment. Parents highlight the facility's ability to work with children of varying needs, including those on the autism spectrum. However, one parent expressed frustration with poor phone communication and responsiveness.
THE SOULFISHER MINISTRIES is a center-based program in St. Louis with highly polarized reviews. Positive reviews praise the facility's cleanliness, staff dedication, and transformative impact on participants in their AGAPE program. Negative reviews cite issues with accreditation loss, poor participant treatment, withheld belongings, and disrespectful staff conduct.
Playtime Academy LLC receives mixed reviews with strong praise for staff friendliness, curriculum quality, and child engagement, but significant complaints about strict late pickup policies and inconsistent rule enforcement. Multiple parents report children being denied care or sent home for minor tardiness, with concerns about unprofessional handling of incidents.
Parents consistently praise Kim's Kids for its caring, professional staff who treat children with love and support their development in academics and social skills. Multiple reviewers highlight the director Sherry's flexibility and responsiveness, as well as the strong bonds formed between staff and children. Families report high satisfaction with their overall experience.
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