Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Portland, OR
Compare 149 child daycare & preschools in Portland. Average rating: 4.55/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Portland, Oregon at a glance
- Programs
- 149
- Avg rating
- 4.55/5
- Parent reviews
- 929
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 67
Portland has 149 licensed child daycare & preschools with 929 parent reviews averaging 4.55/5.67 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 67% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 97212 zip code, averaging 5 stars across 19 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Portland
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.
- 1Creative Minds Learning Center - Gateway4.8 score5(20)
334 Se 146th Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children
Creative Minds Learning Center (Cadence Academy) Gateway receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the warm, engaging staff and strong developmental outcomes for their children. Parents highlight the director Emily's supportive leadership, creative teachers, and smooth transitions to kindergarten, with families reporting their children thrived socially and academically during their time at the center.
Warm and engaging staffstrong social and academic preparation for kindergartencreative lesson plans and activitiesresponsive and communicative director - 2Overlook Collaborative Preschool4.78 score5(18)
1707 N Jarrett St, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 12 children
Overlook Collaborative Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, welcoming environment and thoughtful, child-centered approach to education. Parents highlight the dedicated leadership of owner Erin and her teaching staff, along with the school's excellent daily communication and play-based learning model. Children are reported to show enthusiasm for attending, confidence growth, and strong social-emotional development.
Warm and welcoming environmentthoughtful and caring teacherschild-led/play-based curriculumdaily email updates with pictures and stories - 3St James Child Development Center4.77 score5(17)
1315 Sw Park Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 120 children
St. James Child Development Center in Portland receives consistently excellent feedback from parents who praise the dedicated, long-tenured staff and warm community atmosphere. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with many staying enrolled for multiple years and willingly commuting despite distance to keep their children there.
Highly experienced and stable staff with low turnovercaring and attentive teachersstrong sense of community - 4Northeast Community Child Development Center4.74 score5(14)
1624 Ne Hancock St, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Northeast Community Child Development Center in Portland receives consistently high praise from parents. The center is recognized for its experienced and caring staff, play-based curriculum emphasizing social-emotional growth, extended operating hours, and large secure outdoor courtyard. Parents particularly value the cooperative model that encourages parent involvement and the inclusive, community-oriented environment.
Experienced and dedicated long-term teacherswarm and caring staffplay-based curriculum with emphasis on social-emotional learningextended hours (7:30am-5:30pm) - 5Creative Minds Learning Center-Woodstock4.72 score4.9(20)
7103 Se 60th Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 42 children
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.
Caring and attentive staffresponsive directorclean facilitymeals provided - 6David Douglas Day Care4.72 score4.9(20)
1610 Se 130th Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children
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.
Caring and patient teachersminimal staff turnoverre - 7Irvington Preschool Co-Op4.71 score5(12)
2710 Ne 14th Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children
Irvington Preschool Co-Op is a highly regarded play-based preschool in Portland where parents consistently praise the warm, respectful community and child-led learning approach. Teacher Sam is repeatedly highlighted as exceptional, deeply understanding individual children and fostering their social-emotional growth. The co-op model is valued for enabling meaningful family involvement and authentic community building.
Play-based learning environmentchild-led approachTeacher Sam's exceptional care and skillwarm and respectful community - 8Aprende Con Amigos LLC4.67 score5(10)
5206 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Aprende con Amigos is a highly regarded Spanish immersion preschool in Portland where parents report exceptional experiences. Parents consistently praise the bilingual curriculum, caring and well-trained staff, strong child development practices, and nurturing environment that supports both academic and social growth.
Spanish immersion programbilingual language developmentthoughtful curriculum combining Waldorf/Montessori/Reggio Emilia approacheshighly trained and passionate staff - 9Aleph Bet Jewish Day School4.64 score5(9)
6612 Sw Capital Hwy, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children
Parents consistently praise Aleph Bet Jewish Day School (The Gan) as a nurturing, safe environment that combines progressive education with Jewish cultural foundations. The director Mimi and teaching staff are highlighted as warm, experienced, and responsive, with children showing genuine enthusiasm for attending. Parents appreciate the balance of academic learning tailored to individual development and strong emotional support.
Warm and caring staffdirector's kindness and professionalismReggio method trainingindividualized learning pace - 10El Pilar School4.64 score5(9)
6805 Sw Vermont St, Portland, OR · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 43 children
El Pilar School is a highly-regarded center-based daycare in Portland with 25 years of operation under owner Imma. Parents consistently praise the caring staff, child development outcomes, and Spanish language instruction, with children showing enthusiasm for attendance. The facility prioritizes genuine care and structured learning over modern communication apps.
Caring and attentive staffstrong Spanish language developmentstructured daily schedulesmooth transitions between age groups
Rating Distribution
Based on 100 daycares with Google ratings in Portland
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 929 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Portland, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Portland zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97212 | 19 | 5 | 9 | |
| 97215 | 7 | 4.87 | 3 | |
| 97206 | 15 | 4.81 | 7 | |
| 97220 | 6 | 4.8 | 1 | |
| 97217 | 12 | 4.73 | 5 | |
| 97219 | 19 | 4.72 | 5 | |
| 97201 | 12 | 4.67 | 2 | |
| 97232 | 6 | 4.58 | 2 | |
| 97213 | 8 | 4.58 | 3 | |
| 97229 | 17 | 4.57 | 2 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Portland (8–185 children)
Small
up to 30 children
75
Medium
31–75 children
106
Large
76–150 children
52
Very Large
150+ children
9
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Portland based on parent reviews
Creative Minds Learning Center - Gateway
334 Se 146th Ave, Portland, OR
Creative Minds Learning Center (Cadence Academy) Gateway receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the warm, engaging staff and strong developmental outcomes for their children. Parents highlight the director Emily's supportive leadership, creative teachers, and smooth transitions to kindergarten, with families reporting their children thrived socially and academically during their time at the center.
Overlook Collaborative Preschool
1707 N Jarrett St, Portland, OR
Overlook Collaborative Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its warm, welcoming environment and thoughtful, child-centered approach to education. Parents highlight the dedicated leadership of owner Erin and her teaching staff, along with the school's excellent daily communication and play-based learning model. Children are reported to show enthusiasm for attending, confidence growth, and strong social-emotional development.
St James Child Development Center
1315 Sw Park Ave, Portland, OR
St. James Child Development Center in Portland receives consistently excellent feedback from parents who praise the dedicated, long-tenured staff and warm community atmosphere. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially, with many staying enrolled for multiple years and willingly commuting despite distance to keep their children there.
Northeast Community Child Development Center
1624 Ne Hancock St, Portland, OR
Northeast Community Child Development Center in Portland receives consistently high praise from parents. The center is recognized for its experienced and caring staff, play-based curriculum emphasizing social-emotional growth, extended operating hours, and large secure outdoor courtyard. Parents particularly value the cooperative model that encourages parent involvement and the inclusive, community-oriented environment.
Creative Minds Learning Center-Woodstock
7103 Se 60th Ave, Portland, OR
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.
David Douglas Day Care
1610 Se 130th Ave, Portland, OR
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.
Map
Daycare types in Portland
Browse by type in Portland
Child Daycare & Preschools in Portland, Oregon
Portland offers a robust selection of 149 childcare and preschool facilities, providing parents with diverse options to suit their specific needs. Reviews highlight a strong emphasis on affordable pricing, safe environments, and caring staff across the city's various neighborhoods. Parents will find a wide range of approaches, from traditional daycare to specialized programs, ensuring there is a fit for every family.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Portland have an average rating of 4.55 out of 5 across 100 rated facilities, with 67% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.67 stars. Our analysis covers 929 parent reviews. Parents in Portland most frequently praise daycares for safe environment, affordable pricing, and caring and attentive staff.
When choosing a daycare in Portland, 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 Portland
Showing 149 results
- Address
- 234 Se 7th Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Long-term parents highlight attentive, stable staff and ample indoor and outdoor play opportunities, with one noting the administrator's communicative improvements. Conversely, a recent review describes a sharp decline in service quality following a contract loss, citing non-existent communication and the relocation of summer camp to an inconvenient location.
- Address
- 6836 Sw 46th Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 1705 Ne Dekum St, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Parents consistently praise this Chinese immersion preschool and health center for its friendly, helpful staff and quality services. Reviews highlight community events, cultural celebrations, and assistance with health applications. The facility is described as a valuable resource for Asian families in Portland.
- Address
- 5239 Se Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 620 N Fremont St, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 7700 Se Reed College Pl, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Parents consistently praise Panda at Parkrose (also referenced as Pitter Patter) for its caring, communicative staff and nurturing environment. Children show significant developmental progress and enjoy attending daily. The facility offers excellent outdoor space, provided meals, and strong parent-staff partnerships.
- Address
- 10339 Ne Prescott St, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 1015 Se 182nd Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
A few parents describe positive experiences, highlighting caring teachers, a play-based curriculum, and strong community bonds that make children eager to attend. Conversely, one reviewer reports a negative experience involving staff distraction, inappropriate conversations, and unprofessional management practices.
- Address
- 601 Sw 2nd Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 6651 Sw Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 4332 Se 130th Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 7740 Sw Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 025 Sw Sherman St, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 025 Sw Sherman St, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 1231 Se 92nd Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
PROJECT NETWORK/LIFEWORKS NORTHWEST in Portland receives mixed reviews. While some parents praise individual staff members and therapists as knowledgeable and compassionate, multiple reviewers report significant issues with scheduling reliability, communication responsiveness, staff hostility during intake and provider-matching processes, and concerns about program management and care continuity.
- Address
- 3655 Ne Garfield Ave, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 1785 Ne Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 2860 Se Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 4155 Nw Saltzman Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Parents consistently praise West Union KinderCare for its exceptional staff, safe and clean environment, and strong curriculum that promotes learning and development. Multiple reviewers highlight excellent communication, caring teachers, and family engagement activities. All 10 reviews rate the center 5/5 stars.
- Address
- 18275 Nw West Union Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Parents consistently praise The Goddard School Portland location for its warm, nurturing environment where children thrive academically and socially. Staff are described as dedicated, patient, and caring, with strong communication and a robust curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten.
- Address
- 4086 Nw Saltzman Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 6300 Sw Nicol Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
KinderCare Learning Center - Cedar Hills receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all reviewers. Parents consistently praise the caring, dedicated staff, strong communication, age-appropriate activities, and safe environment where children thrive emotionally and academically.
- Address
- 165 Sw Cedar Hills Blvd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 11775 Nw Mcdaniel Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 8800 Sw Leahy Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
Parents consistently praise The Goddard School for its warm, nurturing environment and dedicated staff who genuinely care for children's development. Children are reported to be happy, engaged, and thriving academically through a structured curriculum that includes enrichment activities like music, sports, chess, ASL, Spanish, and yoga. The school stands out for strong parent communication, special events, and staff retention.
- Address
- 4074 Nw Saltzman Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 5210 Sw Corbett, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 17705 Nw Springville Rd, Bldg 3, Rm 101, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
- Address
- 7323 Sw Barnes Rd, Portland, OR
- Phone
- NOT AVAILABLE
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Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with Oregon's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Oregon)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 149 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 21 facilities
- Church Daycare — 3 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 72 facilities