How do I choose the right daycare in Carlisle?

When choosing a daycare in Carlisle, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with Pennsylvania's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Pennsylvania) Safety measures and cleanliness Daily routines and educational curriculum Parent reviews and ratings Location and hours that fit your schedule

Child Daycare & Preschools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (18 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in Pennsylvania?

Daycare costs in Pennsylvania 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 Carlisle for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Carlisle

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.

Ymca Child Development Center

4.32 score

4.4(20)

311 S West St, Carlisle, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 76 children

Parents praise the YMCA Child Development Center for its friendly, welcoming staff, clean facilities, and diverse amenities including a swimming pool, fitness center, and sports programs. The facility offers good value with family discounts and 24-hour access to equipment. Parents consistently highlight positive experiences with swim instructors and staff across multiple departments.

Friendly and welcoming staffclean facilitiesmodern renovationsswimming pool an

Dickinson College School-Age Program

4.32 score

4.4(20)

1250 Ritner Hwy, Ste 1, Carlisle, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children

Reviews are mixed in relevance to the daycare program itself. One parent praised the school-age program's fantastic staff and age-appropriate curriculum. However, most reviews appear to be about Dickinson College rather than the daycare center, discussing campus facilities, academics, and student life.

Fantastic staffperfect curriculum for different age groupsbeautiful campusprofessional admissions office

Little Lambs Day Care Center

4.16 score

4.2(18)

2135 Ritner Hwy, Carlisle, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Little Lambs Day Care Center receives consistently excellent feedback from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and nurturing environment. Parents report their children are happy, engaged in learning, and receive regular updates through photos and messages. The center is commended for making both children and parents feel valued and supported.

Caring and loving staffregular communication with parents via app and messagesstructured lesson plans and learning activitiesclean and safe environment

Carlisle Early Education Center

3.85 score

3.7(5)

100 E Pomfret St, Carlisle, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 175 children

Carlisle Early Education Center receives mixed reviews. Parents praise the staff's professionalism, responsiveness, and quality care for children, noting affordable pricing. However, some parents report significant issues with communication and disorganization regarding waitlist management and follow-up procedures.

affordable pricinggreat work with childrenquick staff responseprofessional staff

Christian Youth Ministries

3.65 score

3.3(5)

450 E North St, Carlisle, PA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Christian Youth Ministries receives mixed reviews with significant variation in parent experiences. Positive reviewers praise the sweet director, attentive communication, pleasant staff, and amenities like a bounce house. Negative reviewers report unprofessional behavior, poor communication with teachers, unstructured programming, and facility cleanliness issues.

Attentive directorgood parent communicationpleasant staffaccommodating to parents and children

Child Daycare & Preschools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania

There are 18 child daycare & preschools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Carlisle, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 18 child daycare & preschools daycares in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Carlisle, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

Licensing status with Pennsylvania's regulatory agency
Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Pennsylvania)
Safety measures and cleanliness
Daily routines and educational curriculum
Parent reviews and ratings
Location and hours that fit your schedule

Daycare costs in Pennsylvania 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 Carlisle for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Carlisle must be licensed by Pennsylvania'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.

18 Child Daycare & Preschools in Carlisle, Pennsylvania