
Compare 364 child daycare & preschools in Columbus. Average rating: 4.29/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Columbus has 364 licensed child daycare & preschools with 2,364 parent reviews averaging 4.29/5.142 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 53% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 43221 (avg 4.9 stars), while 43224 has the largest selection (36 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.
5150 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Balanced Family Academy receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the exceptional care, communication, and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight staff dedication, individualized attention to children, and peace of mind regarding their child's safety and development.
1717 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Balanced Family Academy Clubhouse receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise exceptional staff care, strong communication, and a welcoming community environment. Parents consistently report feeling confident in their children's safety, development, and well-being at the facility.
1347 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise Balanced Family Academy (BFA) for exceptional staff who are caring, attentive, and communicative. First-time parents particularly appreciate the daily updates via the CareDay app and visible emotional security their children display. The facility offers quality meals, engaging activities, and a welcoming environment that makes parents feel confident leaving their children in capable hands.
2425 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 186 children
Meadow Park Children's Center receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring, experienced staff, enriching curriculum centered on play-based learning, and strong communication. Parents highlight the stable environment created by long-tenured teachers, diverse activities, and welcoming community atmosphere.
48 East North Broadway, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Clintonville CRC Kids Club receives universal praise from community members who describe it as a valuable resource offering food pantry services, support programs, and assistance to those in need. Staff and volunteers are consistently highlighted as friendly, helpful, and passionate about serving the community.
7 W Henderson Road, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
CLINTONVILLE CRC KIDS CLUB 2 is a community resource center with exceptional staff and programming that serves diverse populations including families in need, seniors, and those experiencing food insecurity. Parents and community members consistently praise the friendly, passionate staff, fresh produce pantry offerings, and comprehensive support services available to the community.
35 Oakland Park Ave., Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
This facility appears to be a community resource center rather than a traditional daycare, offering pantry services and community support programs. Parents consistently praise the friendly, passionate staff and the quality of fresh produce and assistance provided. Multiple reviewers highlight the organization's significant positive impact on individuals and families in need.
1800 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Parents consistently praise Mary's Little Lamb as an exceptional daycare with outstanding leadership under Ms. Tiffany. Reviews highlight the clean, well-organized facility, caring staff who treat children like family, engaging educational activities, and strong community involvement. Parents report feeling confident leaving their children in this program's care.
5511 N. Hamilton Road, Columbus, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 152 children
Jolly Tots Too! receives universal praise from parents across all reviews. Parents consistently highlight the caring, experienced staff, small teacher-to-child ratios, on-site nurse, and nurturing environment that supports children's growth from infancy through Pre-K. Families report feeling confident in the quality of care and describe the center as a loving community where children thrive.
4567 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children
Our Lady of Bethlehem is a highly regarded religious daycare facility in Columbus, Ohio with universally positive reviews. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, strong academic curriculum, spiritual guidance, and nurturing environment that supports children's development across multiple domains.
Based on 268 daycares with Google ratings in Columbus
Top qualities mentioned across 2,364 reviews, analyzed by AI
Average ratings by facility type in Columbus, based on parent reviews
Columbus zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43221 | 7 | 4.9 | 5 | |
| 43220 | 19 | 4.75 | 9 | |
| 43214 | 19 | 4.75 | 9 | |
| 43240 | 6 | 4.7 | 2 | |
| 43235 | 17 | 4.7 | 3 | |
| 43201 | 8 | 4.64 | 3 | |
| 43215 | 16 | 4.63 | 7 | |
| 43209 | 16 | 4.62 | 5 | |
| 43212 | 8 | 4.56 | 3 | |
| 43224 | 36 | 4.35 | 12 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in Columbus (12–312 children)
Small
up to 30 children
8
Medium
31–75 children
64
Large
76–150 children
64
Very Large
150+ children
11
Highest rated daycares in Columbus based on parent reviews
5150 Reed Rd, Columbus, OH
Balanced Family Academy receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the exceptional care, communication, and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight staff dedication, individualized attention to children, and peace of mind regarding their child's safety and development.
1717 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH
Balanced Family Academy Clubhouse receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise exceptional staff care, strong communication, and a welcoming community environment. Parents consistently report feeling confident in their children's safety, development, and well-being at the facility.
1347 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, OH
Parents consistently praise Balanced Family Academy (BFA) for exceptional staff who are caring, attentive, and communicative. First-time parents particularly appreciate the daily updates via the CareDay app and visible emotional security their children display. The facility offers quality meals, engaging activities, and a welcoming environment that makes parents feel confident leaving their children in capable hands.
2425 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH
Meadow Park Children's Center receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring, experienced staff, enriching curriculum centered on play-based learning, and strong communication. Parents highlight the stable environment created by long-tenured teachers, diverse activities, and welcoming community atmosphere.
48 East North Broadway, Columbus, OH
Clintonville CRC Kids Club receives universal praise from community members who describe it as a valuable resource offering food pantry services, support programs, and assistance to those in need. Staff and volunteers are consistently highlighted as friendly, helpful, and passionate about serving the community.
7 W Henderson Road, Columbus, OH
CLINTONVILLE CRC KIDS CLUB 2 is a community resource center with exceptional staff and programming that serves diverse populations including families in need, seniors, and those experiencing food insecurity. Parents and community members consistently praise the friendly, passionate staff, fresh produce pantry offerings, and comprehensive support services available to the community.
Navigating childcare options in Columbus, Ohio, involves exploring a diverse landscape of 364 facilities, ranging from large centers to intimate home-based programs. Parents frequently highlight clean environments and safe settings as key priorities, often noting their children's excitement to attend. With a standout neighborhood in the 43221 zip code offering exceptional ratings, families have multiple pathways to find a supportive community for their little ones.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Columbus have an average rating of 4.29 out of 5 across 268 rated facilities, with 53% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.85 stars. Our analysis covers 2,364 parent reviews. Parents in Columbus most frequently praise daycares for clean facility, safe environment, and children excited to attend.
When choosing a daycare in Columbus, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 364 results
Twinkle Star Child Care Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, professional staff and safe, clean environment. Parents highlight individualized attention, flexible scheduling, educational activities, and a family-like atmosphere. Two reviews were largely negative but provided minimal substantive feedback.
Parents describe this center as a clean and nurturing facility with professional staff. They highlight the exceptional care and recommend the program for families seeking a high-quality environment.
Kiddie Korner receives mixed reviews with most parents praising the staff's kindness, professionalism, and communication. However, several serious concerns have been raised regarding child safety, staff conduct, and vehicle operation.
One parent highlights the welcoming atmosphere and expresses strong appreciation for the owner, Bisharo, noting that their children enjoy attending. However, a separate review requests weekend operating hours, indicating a potential gap in availability for families needing Saturday and Sunday care.
Forest Park Christian School is a center-based facility in Columbus, Ohio with strong academic reputation and Christian values integration. Most parents praise the caring staff, learning outcomes, and school environment, though a few report concerns about bullying and conflict resolution in after-school programs.
The Ohio State University Child Care Program receives mixed reviews. Parents praise the attentive teachers and children's learning progress, but several express serious concerns about safety, cleanliness, administration responsiveness, and facility conditions. The university affiliation is viewed by some as a benefit for classroom learning support but criticized by others as justifying high costs without quality delivery.
KEYS TO EARLY SUCCESS receives mixed reviews with significant variation in parent experiences. Most positive reviews praise cleanliness, staff friendliness, safety features, and child development, while negative reviews cite neglect, unresponsive staff, and poor management, particularly at the Canal Winchester location.
One parent highlights positive experiences including timely school pickup, engaging field trips, and supportive teachers, while two others report severe issues involving unprofessional staff, verbal abuse, unsafe facilities, and inadequate food. Conflicting accounts suggest either a fun, child-centered environment or a chaotic, unsanitary workplace with discriminatory practices. The few reviews so far mention both the benefits of free play and the significant drawbacks of staff behavior and safety concerns.
One parent highlights the owners as open, honest, and flexible, noting they treat children like family and accommodated short-notice enrollment. Conversely, another inquiry indicates the business phone number is inactive, raising concerns about whether the center is still operational.
StarZone Daycare receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring and professional staff, positive learning environment, and strong management responsiveness. Parents report their children are happy, well-respected, and enjoy attending daily. The facility is frequently described as the best daycare option in Columbus.
Columbus Montessori Education Center receives mixed reviews with strong praise from satisfied parents and serious concerns from others. Most positive reviews highlight engaged children, skilled teachers, and effective Montessori methods, while negative reviews cite behavioral management issues, pressure to seek autism diagnosis for typical toddler behavior, and unprofessional staff interactions.
Feedback for Kiddy Grove West Day Care Center is sharply divided, with one parent highlighting engaging activities and supportive teachers, while others report serious concerns regarding staff professionalism and child safety. Specific complaints include allegations of verbal abuse, inadequate food portions, and unsafe playground conditions, alongside claims of discriminatory hiring and management practices.
One parent reports significant concerns regarding staff negligence and self-centered behavior among the principal, teachers, and bus drivers. The review highlights a lack of care for student issues and suggests the facility prioritizes financial gain over student well-being.
Most parents report positive experiences with Connected Pathways, praising the caring staff, cleanliness, and supportive environment where children thrive. However, one parent raised serious concerns about sanitation and facility maintenance, recommending prospective families tour the facility and follow up on any improvements.
Feedback for Michael's 'Lil' Angels in Columbus is mixed, with one parent describing the staff as awesome and another simply calling the experience great. However, a third reviewer expresses strong dissatisfaction, stating they extremely hate the facility and do not recommend it.
One parent describes the facility as a good place, indicating a positive experience with the center itself.
Prewitt's Playhouse Early Learning Center in Columbus, Ohio has predominantly positive reviews from current and former staff and parents who praise the safe environment, quality care, and child development support. However, there are concerns about the owner's unprofessional conduct, including alleged inappropriate disclosure of parent information and rude interactions with customers.
One parent rates the center highly for its clean environment and age-appropriate classrooms, while another criticizes the facility for being filthy and relying on excessive screen time. The latter reviewer also alleges that staff do not speak English and that management is unresponsive to parental concerns.
Kids Care Academy receives mixed reviews with significant polarization. Positive reviews praise the teachers, facility atmosphere, and engaging environment, while negative reviews cite chronic cancellation of scheduled activities, inadequate facilities (no playground, gym, specialized teachers), poor classroom maintenance, and concerns about staff experience and child engagement.
Connected Pathways Early Learning Centers in Columbus receives mixed reviews with strong polarization. Positive reviews praise hands-on teaching, cleanliness, and family-like staff treatment, while negative reviews cite serious safety concerns including bottle burn incidents, forced feeding, and claims of neglect and unqualified staff.
Edwards Creative Learning Center receives mostly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, friendly staff and strong developmental programs. However, two negative reviews raise serious concerns about bus driver supervision and staff attentiveness. The majority of reviews highlight long-term enrollment and family satisfaction with the center's care.
Perkins Playhouse has mixed reviews with strong polarization. Five parents gave 5-star ratings praising the caring, professional staff, educational activities, and safe environment. However, two parents gave 1-star ratings citing communication issues with management, concerns about child safety and peer interactions, inconsistent staff behavior, and poor responsiveness after withdrawal.
Kids World CDC receives mixed reviews. Parents praise the safe, entertaining, and educational environment with a caring director and staff. However, concerns include transportation safety issues, communication difficulties, and staff competency problems.
One parent highlights that the center provides a clean, affordable, and respectful environment where staff treat children with genuine care. Additional feedback notes that the teachers are friendly, professional, and enthusiastic in their approach to childcare.
Sunny Day Academy receives mixed reviews with most parents praising the caring staff, clean facility, educational activities, and communication via the Tadpole app. However, a minority of parents reported concerns about staff turnover, lack of educational structure, and instances of inappropriate staff behavior.
Start Fresh Learning Academy receives mixed reviews. Parents praise the cleanliness, healthy food, and quality of teachers. However, multiple parents reported unprofessional behavior and arguing by staff members in front of children during business hours.
YWCA Family Center Safe & Sound is a shelter facility that receives mixed reviews. Positive reviews highlight caring staff, helpful resources, and spiritual support, while negative reviews cite strict rules, limited amenities for sick residents, and insufficient job placement assistance.
Feedback for Debi's Day Care Center is sharply divided, with some parents praising the learning environment and enrichment programs while others report serious concerns regarding hygiene, staffing, and care quality. One reviewer highlights the great atmosphere, whereas another describes the service as horrible, citing bed bugs, neglected hygiene, and unprofessional behavior from the owner.
Parents highlight welcoming staff and a secure environment, with one noting that the administrator helps make things easier for families. While inquiries were described as professional, the limited feedback does not reveal specific operational complaints.
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