Children at daycare

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Derry, NH

Compare 10 child daycare & preschools in Derry. Average rating: 4.08/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Derry, New Hampshire at a glance

Programs
10
Avg rating
4.08/5
Parent reviews
90
Top rated (4.5+)
4

Derry has 10 licensed child daycare & preschools with 90 parent reviews averaging 4.08/5.The largest concentration is in 03038 with 14 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Derry

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
    Clubhouse Day Care
    4.58 score
    4.8(13)

    11 And 13 Peabody Road, Derry, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Clubhouse Day Care in Derry receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight the nurturing, organized environment and dedicated long-term staff. Parents emphasize the facility's cleanliness, educational curriculum, daily communication via app, and on-site meal preparation. Children reportedly look forward to attending and show visible growth and happiness.

    Experienced staff with low turnovernurturing and caring environmentwell-organized curriculumeducational activities and field trips
  2. 2
    Greater Derry Extended Day Program
    4.41 score
    4.6(11)

    21 Eastgate Road, Derry, NH · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

    Parents overwhelmingly praise the Greater Derry Extended Day Program for its caring staff, affordable pricing, and positive impact on children's social development and confidence. The program is described as a safe, well-run facility that teaches valuable life skills and helps children build lasting friendships. One parent raised concerns about staff oversight of age-appropriate relationships between boys and girls.

    Affordable pricingcaring and attentive staffsafe environmentstrong social development for children
  3. 3
    Greater Derry Extended Day Program
    4.41 score
    4.6(11)

    6 Grinnell Road, Derry, NH · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

    Greater Derry Extended Day Program receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the staff's care, affordability, and positive impact on children's social development and well-being. The program is described as a safe, well-run facility that teaches valuable life skills and helps children thrive. One parent raised a concern about age-appropriate relationship boundaries.

    Caring and supportive staffaffordable pricingsafe environmentstrong social development for children
  4. 4
    Sonshine Preschool And Day Care
    4.27 score
    4.5(6)

    53 North Main Street, Derry, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Sonshine Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from most parents who praise the caring staff, loving atmosphere, and above-average academics. However, one parent reported serious safety concerns including a child going missing and alleged inappropriate discipline practices.

    caring and loving staffabove-average academicsconsistent and understanding with sick daysjoyful atmosphere

Rating Distribution

Based on 8 daycares with Google ratings in Derry

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

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 90 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Safe environment
3

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.28avg rating
10 daycares · 5 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4.6avg rating
3 daycares · 2 rated

Headstart Programs

2avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Derry zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0303814
4.08
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Derry (– children)

Small

up to 30 children

0

Medium

31–75 children

0

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Derry based on parent reviews

Clubhouse Day Care

4.8(13)

11 And 13 Peabody Road, Derry, NH

Clubhouse Day Care in Derry receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight the nurturing, organized environment and dedicated long-term staff. Parents emphasize the facility's cleanliness, educational curriculum, daily communication via app, and on-site meal preparation. Children reportedly look forward to attending and show visible growth and happiness.

Experienced staff with low turnovernurturing and caring environmentwell-organized curriculum

Sonshine Preschool And Day Care

4.5(6)

53 North Main Street, Derry, NH

Sonshine Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from most parents who praise the caring staff, loving atmosphere, and above-average academics. However, one parent reported serious safety concerns including a child going missing and alleged inappropriate discipline practices.

caring and loving staffabove-average academicsconsistent and understanding with sick days

Stepping Stones School

4.4(1)

1 Partridge Lane, Derry, NH

One parent describes a highly positive preschool experience where teachers are dedicated to teaching through arts and crafts, resulting in a child who enjoys attending. The reviewer highlights the program as a standout choice for the Derry area, noting the engaging curriculum and staff quality.

dedicated teachersengaging arts and craftschild enjoys school

The Circle Of Friends School

4(1)

49 South Main Street, Derry, NH

One parent describes The Circle of Friends School as an amazing daycare and school. This single positive review highlights high satisfaction without noting specific operational details or complaints.

amazing daycareamazing school

Over The Rainbow Preschool

3.7(4)

223 Rockingham Road, Derry, NH

One parent highlights the staff's genuine care and the center's welcoming, family-like atmosphere, while another describes a distressing experience involving staff hostility and neglect. A third account details abrupt dismissal and concerns about the child's well-being and safety protocols during their final weeks. The few reviews so far mention significant variability in staff behavior and operational consistency.

friendly teachersfamily-like atmospherecaring staff

Map

Daycare types in Derry

Child Daycare & Preschools 10Headstart Programs 1Before or After School Daycare 3

Child Daycare & Preschools in Derry, New Hampshire

There are 10 child daycare & preschools in Derry, New Hampshire, making up 71% 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 Derry have an average rating of 4.08 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.6 stars. Our analysis covers 90 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Derry, 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 Derry

Showing 10 results

Clubhouse Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

Clubhouse Day Care in Derry receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight the nurturing, organized environment and dedicated long-term staff. Parents emphasize the facility's cleanliness, educational curriculum, daily communication via app, and on-site meal preparation. Children reportedly look forward to attending and show visible growth and happiness.

Experienced staff with low turnovernurturing and caring environmentwell-organized curriculum
Address
11 And 13 Peabody Road, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 434-7897
Sonshine Preschool And Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.5

Sonshine Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from most parents who praise the caring staff, loving atmosphere, and above-average academics. However, one parent reported serious safety concerns including a child going missing and alleged inappropriate discipline practices.

caring and loving staffabove-average academicsconsistent and understanding with sick days
Address
53 North Main Street, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 434-6987
Stepping Stones School
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.4

One parent describes a highly positive preschool experience where teachers are dedicated to teaching through arts and crafts, resulting in a child who enjoys attending. The reviewer highlights the program as a standout choice for the Derry area, noting the engaging curriculum and staff quality.

dedicated teachersengaging arts and craftschild enjoys school
Address
1 Partridge Lane, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 434-6900
The Circle Of Friends School
Child Daycare & Preschools
4

One parent describes The Circle of Friends School as an amazing daycare and school. This single positive review highlights high satisfaction without noting specific operational details or complaints.

amazing daycareamazing school
Address
49 South Main Street, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 434-8167
Over The Rainbow Preschool
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.7

One parent highlights the staff's genuine care and the center's welcoming, family-like atmosphere, while another describes a distressing experience involving staff hostility and neglect. A third account details abrupt dismissal and concerns about the child's well-being and safety protocols during their final weeks. The few reviews so far mention significant variability in staff behavior and operational consistency.

friendly teachersfamily-like atmospherecaring staff
Address
223 Rockingham Road, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 432-6655
East Derry Memorial School Extended Day Program
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
18 Dubeau Drive, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 421-0170
The Goddard School
Child Daycare & Preschools

The Goddard School in Derry receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the combination of play-based and structured learning, dedicated staff, and strong communication through daily photo updates and reports. Parents report their children are enthusiastic about attending, making significant developmental gains, and receiving warm, nurturing care in a clean facility. The center's extended hours (7am-6pm) and limited closures make it convenient for working parents.

play-based yet educational curriculumdaily photo updates and detailed reports via appwarm and dedicated teachers
Address
12 Tsienneto Road, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 432-2210
Greater Derry Extended Day Program
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
28 South Main Street, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 818-1008
Broadway Learning Academy
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
6 West Broadway, Suite 6, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 681-1986
Wonder Years Learning Center
Child Daycare & Preschools

Wonder Years Learning Center in Derry receives exclusively positive feedback from parents. All 10 reviews rate the facility 5/5 stars, praising the caring and dedicated staff, responsive leadership, and nurturing educational environment. Parents consistently report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving developmentally across all age groups from infants through kindergarten.

Warm and caring staffattentive teachers who go above and beyondpresent and accessible owners/directors
Address
39 Birch Street, Derry, NH
Phone
(603) 432-0505

Page 1 of 1· 10 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 10 child daycare & preschools daycares in Derry, New Hampshire, 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 Derry have an average Google rating of 4.08 out of 5 across 8 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Derry, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with New Hampshire's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in New Hampshire)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Derry offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 10 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 3 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 New Hampshire 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 Derry for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Derry must be licensed by New Hampshire'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.