Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Portland, OR

Little Stars Montessori receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, talented teaching staff and enriching learning environment. Parents report significant academic and developmental progress in their children, along with strong communication from teachers and administrators. Children are described as happy and eager to attend.

Parents consistently praise Cadence Academy for its caring, attentive staff and nurturing environment where children thrive academically and socially. The director Estera is highlighted as responsive and organized, and the facility provides meals, enrichment activities, and outdoor play. Multiple families report their children have made significant developmental gains and enjoy attending.

Parents consistently praise David Douglas Day Care for its caring, experienced staff, strong leadership, and inclusive environment. Children thrive academically and socially while parents appreciate the competitive pricing, flexible policies, and excellent communication. This family-owned business is described as special, with staff who genuinely love the children and attract quality families to their community.

Parents consistently praise Childswork Learning Center for its child-led, play-based approach to learning and its inclusive, caring community atmosphere. Teachers are described as dedicated, brilliant, and genuinely invested in supporting children's individual learning styles. Families appreciate the bright facilities, outdoor spaces, and welcoming environment for both children and parents.

Happy Day Child Care in Portland receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the exceptional, long-tenured staff, nurturing environment, and strong academic curriculum. Parents consistently report their children thriving academically and emotionally, with many noting the facility's cleanliness, organization, and genuine care for individual child development. Several reviewers span multiple generations of family attendance, citing lasting positive impacts and deep staff-child connections.

Reviewers highlight the center's friendly staff and flexible hours, noting that it remains open during school closures and inclement weather. Parents appreciate the community-focused environment, affordable amenities, and the director's organizational skills.

Parents highlight Children's Club as an excellent after-school care option, with one child loving the program. A few reviewers describe the facility as wonderful, noting it is the best in town for their family.

Rising Stars Child Development Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the attentive and caring teachers, engaging activities, and their children's developmental progress. However, one parent reported a negative experience with staff management and owner responsiveness to concerns about a specific teacher.

The Children's Garden receives unanimous praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the caring, attentive staff, strong communication, and balanced approach to academics and emotional development. Multiple long-term families report trusting the center completely and crediting it with their children's growth and positive behavior.

Parents highlight the kind and supportive staff, such as Kathy and Laura, who help children transition smoothly into daycare, while also appreciating the healthful on-site food and creative artwork. One reviewer notes the convenient location and simple menu, alongside staff who know each child by name. However, only one rating is below perfect, with a minor critique regarding the simplicity of the food options.

Reviews praise St. John the Baptist's preschool and school programs for warm, caring staff and quality education that exceeds typical standards. Parents highlight the welcoming community atmosphere, engaging religious services, and strong academic preparation for students.

Sonbeam Day Care receives universal praise from parents, with all 10 reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the caring and nurturing staff, engaging activities, affordable pricing, and safe environment that makes them feel confident leaving their children in the center's care.

Healthy Starts is highly regarded by parents, with consistent praise for caring, dedicated teachers and strong leadership under director Cindy. Families report their children thrive developmentally and form lasting bonds with staff. The facility offers good amenities and flexible hours that accommodate working parents.

St. Mark's Child Center is a church-based facility praised for its welcoming community and comprehensive support services. Parents highlight the kind staff and pastor, along with numerous outreach programs including a food pantry and children's clothing closet that serve families in need.

Grandma's Place receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring staff, safe environment, educational programming, and strong communication. Children reportedly enjoy attending and parents feel confident in their care. However, one parent reported concerns about unprofessional management behavior and gossip.

Shepherd's Door Children's Center receives overwhelmingly positive ratings from parents who describe it as life-changing, with staff praised as caring and dedicated. The facility is noted for its clean environment, good structure, and support in helping families through recovery. However, there are concerns about accessibility, intake responsiveness, and program eligibility limitations.

Joyful Noise Child Care Center receives unanimous 5-star praise from parents who describe it as the best childcare option in Portland. Parents consistently highlight the caring, experienced staff, clean facility, nutritious meals, and strong focus on child development and social-emotional growth. Multiple families report long-term positive impacts on their children's development and school readiness.

Fruit and Flower Child Care Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the dedicated staff, high-quality care, fresh in-house meals, and strong community atmosphere. Parents report their children develop excellent social and academic skills and feel the center provides care that exceeds typical daycare expectations. Two parents raised concerns about location information accuracy and waitlist fee practices without communication.

Creative Minds Learning Center-Westmoreland receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight the warm, caring staff, excellent communication throughout the day, age-appropriate activities, and strong leadership. Children appear to transition well and show enthusiasm for attending.

These reviews do not appear to be for a daycare center but rather for PSU Smith Memorial Student Union and campus facilities. Reviews praise the building's cleanliness, organization, and welcoming atmosphere for various events and student activities.

Joyful Noise Metro Kids receives mostly positive reviews praising warm staff, cleanliness, quality programming, and excellent communication. However, one parent raised serious concerns about staff failing to report inappropriate behavior between children and alleged mishandling of the incident.

Joyful Noise East receives mostly positive reviews praising staff warmth, cleanliness, communication, and quality programming. However, serious concerns are raised by one parent regarding failure to report inappropriate child-to-child contact and inadequate administrative response.

One parent describes the facility as well-organized and convenient, highlighting the provision of healthy meals and rigorous evening sanitization routines. In contrast, another reviewer reports a negative experience involving a manager who was avoidant and staff who failed to address repeated physical injuries to a child, resulting in emotional distress and early termination of care.

YMCA St. Anthony's receives mixed reviews. Positive reviewers praise the staff's genuine care, low turnover, flexibility, and cleanliness. Negative reviewers report concerns about staff conduct, management responsiveness to complaints, sanitation practices, and limited outdoor space.

A few parents highlight the loving, collaborative environment and the success of the Montessori approach in fostering independence, while one reviewer expresses strong disapproval of the school's involvement in anti-ICE protests.