
Compare 143 child daycare & preschools in Raleigh. Average rating: 4.34/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Raleigh has 143 licensed child daycare & preschools with 1,630 parent reviews averaging 4.34/5.63 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 57% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 27613 (avg 5 stars), while 27604 has the largest selection (20 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.
3922 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Guru Academy is highly praised by parents for its strong academic focus combined with genuine care from staff and owners. Children show enthusiasm for attending, demonstrate rapid learning progress, and form positive relationships with teachers. Parents consistently report their children are thriving both educationally and emotionally.
5315 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Temple Beth Or Preschool receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all parents surveyed. Parents consistently praise the nurturing teachers, strong academic preparation, inclusive community, and warm environment where children thrive both academically and socially.
1020 Penselwood Drive, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise Denise's Learn and Play for its caring, attentive staff led by Ashley, with children showing strong academic and social development. Families appreciate the home-based environment, transparent communication, reasonable rates, and the staff's genuine affection for the children. Many parents have kept their children enrolled for multiple years and recommend the facility highly.
6941 Hilburn Dr, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Primrose School of Hilburn in Raleigh receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, professional staff and quality curriculum. Parents report their children are excited to attend, develop strong skills, and receive individualized attention and support. The school is commended for its responsive communication, developmental focus, and long-tenured staff.
1215 Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise The Goddard School for its caring, invested teachers who help children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The school is noted for excellent communication, safety, community atmosphere, and successful transitions for children of all ages. Parents report high satisfaction with classroom management, special events, and the overall quality of care.
1601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
No reviews of this daycare center were found. The reviews provided are for Mount Peace Baptist Church, not the Mount Peace Child Development Center daycare. Unable to provide accurate summary of parent experiences with the childcare facility.
9725 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Cornerstone Learning Center receives universal praise from parents who report their children are thriving academically and emotionally. Parents consistently highlight the caring, engaged staff, effective communication through apps and updates, and strong learning outcomes. Multiple families express relief about their children's development and readiness for kindergarten.
1590 Dunn Road, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Rainbow Child Care Center (Falls Lake KinderCare) in Raleigh receives consistently high praise from parents for its caring staff, strong leadership, clean facilities, and structured educational programs. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere, individualized attention to children, nutritious meals provided, and seamless transitions for children moving from other facilities. The center is noted for going above and beyond expectations in both childcare and educational support.
6612 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh, NC · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Asbury Preschool receives uniformly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, invested teachers and fun, engaging learning environment. Parents report their children develop strong foundational skills, social abilities, and enthusiasm for learning while feeling well-prepared for kindergarten. The facility fosters a family-like community atmosphere that parents value long-term.
6215 Litchford Rd, Raleigh, NC · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise Childworks Inc. for its warm, nurturing environment and caring staff. The facility is noted for excellent communication with families, strong leadership under the director, and individual attention to children's development. Multiple long-term families credit the center with supporting their children's growth and confidence.
Based on 110 daycares with Google ratings in Raleigh
Top qualities mentioned across 1,630 reviews, analyzed by AI
Average ratings by facility type in Raleigh, based on parent reviews
Raleigh zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27613 | 10 | 5 | 3 | |
| 27616 | 14 | 4.92 | 6 | |
| 27617 | 5 | 4.65 | 2 | |
| 27612 | 10 | 4.58 | 3 | |
| 27603 | 13 | 4.56 | 7 | |
| 27615 | 19 | 4.51 | 7 | |
| 27604 | 20 | 4.42 | 8 | |
| 27614 | 7 | 4.41 | 4 | |
| 27607 | 8 | 4.33 | 3 | |
| 27601 | 7 | 4.32 | 4 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in Raleigh (– children)
Small
up to 30 children
0
Medium
31–75 children
0
Large
76–150 children
0
Very Large
150+ children
0
Highest rated daycares in Raleigh based on parent reviews
3922 Buffaloe Road, Raleigh, NC
Guru Academy is highly praised by parents for its strong academic focus combined with genuine care from staff and owners. Children show enthusiasm for attending, demonstrate rapid learning progress, and form positive relationships with teachers. Parents consistently report their children are thriving both educationally and emotionally.
1020 Penselwood Drive, Raleigh, NC
Parents consistently praise Denise's Learn and Play for its caring, attentive staff led by Ashley, with children showing strong academic and social development. Families appreciate the home-based environment, transparent communication, reasonable rates, and the staff's genuine affection for the children. Many parents have kept their children enrolled for multiple years and recommend the facility highly.
6941 Hilburn Dr, Raleigh, NC
Primrose School of Hilburn in Raleigh receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, professional staff and quality curriculum. Parents report their children are excited to attend, develop strong skills, and receive individualized attention and support. The school is commended for its responsive communication, developmental focus, and long-tenured staff.
1601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, NC
No reviews of this daycare center were found. The reviews provided are for Mount Peace Baptist Church, not the Mount Peace Child Development Center daycare. Unable to provide accurate summary of parent experiences with the childcare facility.
1590 Dunn Road, Raleigh, NC
Rainbow Child Care Center (Falls Lake KinderCare) in Raleigh receives consistently high praise from parents for its caring staff, strong leadership, clean facilities, and structured educational programs. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere, individualized attention to children, nutritious meals provided, and seamless transitions for children moving from other facilities. The center is noted for going above and beyond expectations in both childcare and educational support.
6215 Litchford Rd, Raleigh, NC
Parents consistently praise Childworks Inc. for its warm, nurturing environment and caring staff. The facility is noted for excellent communication with families, strong leadership under the director, and individual attention to children's development. Multiple long-term families credit the center with supporting their children's growth and confidence.
Raleigh offers a robust selection of 143 childcare and preschool facilities, catering to diverse parenting needs and schedules. Parents consistently highlight clean environments and safe spaces as key drivers of their satisfaction, noting that their children are often excited to attend. The directory highlights standout neighborhoods like 27613, where facilities maintain exceptional average ratings across multiple locations.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Raleigh have an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 across 110 rated facilities, with 57% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.54 stars. Our analysis covers 1,630 parent reviews. Parents in Raleigh most frequently praise daycares for safe environment, clean facility, and children excited to attend.
When choosing a daycare in Raleigh, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 143 results
Guru Academy is highly praised by parents for its strong academic focus combined with genuine care from staff and owners. Children show enthusiasm for attending, demonstrate rapid learning progress, and form positive relationships with teachers. Parents consistently report their children are thriving both educationally and emotionally.
Southeast Raleigh Day Care receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the staff's dedication and individualized attention to children. Parents report their children are happy, eager to attend, and make developmental progress, including speech improvement and successful transitions for children with autism and anxiety.
One parent highlights the school's educational value and specifically commends Ms. Shae for her support.
Parents highlight the school's clean, community-focused environment and diverse educational programs, noting that their children are happy and making significant developmental progress. Reviewers appreciate the strong teacher-to-child ratio, which ensures individual attention, and report high satisfaction with the devoted staff.
One parent describes the center as 'awesome' and 'perfect,' expressing strong satisfaction with the quality of care. The reviewer enthusiastically recommends checking out the facility, noting their positive experience with an emoji.
Parents consistently praise Denise's Learn and Play for its caring, attentive staff led by Ashley, with children showing strong academic and social development. Families appreciate the home-based environment, transparent communication, reasonable rates, and the staff's genuine affection for the children. Many parents have kept their children enrolled for multiple years and recommend the facility highly.
Parents consistently praise Little Leaf Discovery School for its engaging outdoor spaces, nurturing environment, and experienced teachers Ms. Myra and Ms. Monea. Families report their children developed strong social-emotional skills, gained excitement for learning, and felt well-prepared for kindergarten. Multiple parents expressed deep satisfaction and would recommend the facility without hesitation.
Primrose School of Hilburn in Raleigh receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, professional staff and quality curriculum. Parents report their children are excited to attend, develop strong skills, and receive individualized attention and support. The school is commended for its responsive communication, developmental focus, and long-tenured staff.
Parents highlight the center's experienced staff, noting that teachers have decades of tenure and appear deeply committed to their work. Reviewers appreciate the genuine care, honesty, and transparency shown by the leadership, which fosters a trusting environment for families.
Bright Haven Academy is a highly-regarded small daycare center in Raleigh where parents report their children are well-cared for and loved. Parents consistently praise the owners Jennifer and Stacey, the warm and attentive staff, strong communication, and family-like atmosphere. Multiple families have enrolled multiple children and expressed confidence in the center's reliability and quality care across different age groups.
Parents highlight the center's warm, dedicated staff and safe environment, noting that children leave well-prepared for kindergarten with strong social and academic foundations. Several families report high satisfaction with the balance of education and fun, attributing their children's positive development directly to the teachers' intentional care.
Reviewers highlight the facility's exceptional programming, small class sizes, and new campus with outdoor learning areas. Parents value the Montessori-inspired approach and the supportive atmosphere for children's social and intellectual development.
Parents highlight the center's family-like atmosphere and praise specific staff members, including Principal Ms. Chasity, teachers Miss Joni, Ms. Brandi, Ms. Courtney, and Ms. Dare, for their dedication and warmth. One family notes long-term satisfaction with the safe, nurturing, and educational environment provided for multiple children.
Parents highlight the staff's attentiveness, warmth, and proactive communication regarding daily activities and child development. While most feedback is positive, one review notes a lower rating without specifying additional issues beyond the general praise for caring teachers.
No reviews of this daycare center were found. The reviews provided are for Mount Peace Baptist Church, not the Mount Peace Child Development Center daycare. Unable to provide accurate summary of parent experiences with the childcare facility.
Parents consistently praise Childworks Inc. for its warm, nurturing environment and caring staff. The facility is noted for excellent communication with families, strong leadership under the director, and individual attention to children's development. Multiple long-term families credit the center with supporting their children's growth and confidence.
Parents highlight the center's attentive and caring staff, noting that teachers are kind, responsive to messages, and focused on child development. One review specifically mentions a smooth transition for new children, while another appreciates the regular communication regarding daily activities and learning achievements.
Rainbow Child Care Center (Falls Lake KinderCare) in Raleigh receives consistently high praise from parents for its caring staff, strong leadership, clean facilities, and structured educational programs. Parents highlight the welcoming atmosphere, individualized attention to children, nutritious meals provided, and seamless transitions for children moving from other facilities. The center is noted for going above and beyond expectations in both childcare and educational support.
Precious Lambs Early Learning Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with 6 five-star reviews and 1 three-star review. Parents consistently praise the small class sizes, caring staff, Christian education approach, and developmental progress of their children. One parent raised concerns about rising tuition costs, frequent facility closures, and inflexible drop-off/pick-up policies with additional fees.
Country Day Montessori School of Raleigh receives consistently high praise from parents, with children enthusiastic about attending daily. Parents highlight the caring, stable staff, Montessori curriculum, and nurturing environment that fosters independence and a love of learning.
Parents consistently praise Kiddie University for its warm, caring staff led by Ms. June, who create a nurturing and inclusive environment where children thrive academically and socially. Families highlight strong communication, responsive leadership, and successful transitions to kindergarten. The facility is described as an extension of family with high safety standards and genuine investment in each child's development.
Triangle Learning Center is highly rated by parents as a warm, family-oriented Christian-based daycare that provides strong academic preparation for kindergarten. Parents consistently praise the caring and attentive staff, engaging curriculum, and welcoming environment where children thrive developmentally and emotionally.
Creative Kidz Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who emphasize the caring, dedicated staff, warm environment, and strong communication. Parents highlight enriching activities, extensive outdoor play, and individualized attention to children's needs and development.
Several parents highlight the center as a high-quality alternative to larger chains, praising the staff's care and their children's social and developmental progress. Reviewers specifically commend the director's experience and respect, while one parent dismisses negative feedback as coming from former customers who left voluntarily.
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