Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Essex, VT
Compare 18 child daycare & preschools in Essex. Average rating: 4.39/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Essex, Vermont at a glance
- Programs
- 18
- Avg rating
- 4.39/5
- Parent reviews
- 114
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 6
Essex has 18 licensed child daycare & preschools with 114 parent reviews averaging 4.39/5.6 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 50% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 05452 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 21 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Essex
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.
- 1Little One'S University INC4.51 score4.8(9)
104 Old Colchester Road, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 54 children
Parents consistently praise Little Ones University for its organized, structured environment with passionate staff who genuinely care for children. The center emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities, regular communication with parents via the Brightwheel app, and creates a welcoming community where children are happy and engaged.
Passionate and caring staffstrong leadership (Director Caryl)organized and structured daily routinesdevelopmentally appropriate activities - 2The Balancing Act Enrichment Center4.48 score4.6(20)
2 Corporate Drive, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 20 children
Parents consistently praise this gymnastics facility for its excellent coaching staff, top-quality equipment, and expanded facility. Reviews highlight strong competitive performance, welcoming atmosphere, and quality programming for various age groups from toddlers through competitive team members.
Experienced and supportive coachesclean and well-equipped facilitycompetitive success and high placementsvariety of classes for different ages - 3Center For Technology Essex Preschool4.44 score4.8(6)
3 Educational Drive, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 15 children
This facility appears to be a technical/vocational school rather than a traditional daycare center. Reviews are limited and mixed in relevance, with positive feedback about instructor quality, communication, and support for students pursuing cosmetology and technical training.
Good administrative communicationknowledgeable and engaging instructorsstrong student supportsuccessful career outcomes for graduates - 4Steamworks Preschool4.23 score4.3(18)
51 Center Road, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children
Parents consistently praise STEAMworks Preschool for its caring, dedicated staff and enriching educational activities. Children show enthusiasm for attending and demonstrate significant growth in social skills and academics. The director Amy and teachers like Crystal, Lauren, Nikki, and Tess receive particular recognition for their commitment and individualized attention to each child.
Caring and dedicated teachersenriching STEAM-based activitiesstrong communication with parentshelps develop social skills - 5Loveworks Child Care Centers INC.4.16 score4.2(20)
25 Pinecrest Drive, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 58 children
Loveworks Child Care Centers in Essex receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews are 5-star ratings, with parents highlighting excellent teacher engagement, strong communication, and their children's happiness and development at the center.
Caring and dedicated teachersexcellent parent-child transitionsopen daily communication with directors and staffvaried activities including outdoor and creative time - 6Sports & Fitness Edge Kids & Fitness4.16 score4.2(20)
4 Morse Drive, Essex, VT · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 187 children
Sports & Fitness Edge Kids & Fitness is highly rated for its caring, experienced staff and comprehensive programming including sports instruction, music classes, and kindergarten preparation. Parents praise the clean facilities, responsive management, and welcoming community atmosphere. The facility offers strong fitness amenities alongside quality childcare services.
Caring and long-tenured staffexcellent sports programming (swimmingtennissoccer) - 7Camp Maple Street3.7 score3.4(5)
75 Maple Street, Essex, VT · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 125 children
Reviews are mixed and largely discuss the associated public park and pool facilities rather than the daycare itself. Parents praise the park's maintenance and amenities, but several complaints focus on pool safety rules and facility restrictions.
Well-maintained public parkmultiple playgrounds for different agesskate parkbike paths
Rating Distribution
Based on 12 daycares with Google ratings in Essex
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in Essex, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
Essex zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05452 | 21 | 4.43 | 6 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in Essex (10–187 children)
Small
up to 30 children
7
Medium
31–75 children
14
Large
76–150 children
3
Very Large
150+ children
1
Top Rated
Highest rated daycares in Essex based on parent reviews
Little One'S University INC
104 Old Colchester Road, Essex, VT
Parents consistently praise Little Ones University for its organized, structured environment with passionate staff who genuinely care for children. The center emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities, regular communication with parents via the Brightwheel app, and creates a welcoming community where children are happy and engaged.
The Balancing Act Enrichment Center
2 Corporate Drive, Essex, VT
Parents consistently praise this gymnastics facility for its excellent coaching staff, top-quality equipment, and expanded facility. Reviews highlight strong competitive performance, welcoming atmosphere, and quality programming for various age groups from toddlers through competitive team members.
Center For Technology Essex Preschool
3 Educational Drive, Essex, VT
This facility appears to be a technical/vocational school rather than a traditional daycare center. Reviews are limited and mixed in relevance, with positive feedback about instructor quality, communication, and support for students pursuing cosmetology and technical training.
Reach For The Stars
5 Ewing Place, Essex, VT
Parents describe the center as a warm, home-away-from-home that prioritizes social and emotional learning, with one long-term family highlighting the staff's deep knowledge of their children. Another parent notes their son's enjoyment over two years, while a fifth-star reviewer mentions minor difficulties finding the location online. The few reviews so far emphasize the supportive environment and staff dedication, with no operational complaints regarding care quality.
Kinderworks INC.
21 Essex Way, Essex, VT
Parents highlight the caring staff and effective Kindergarten preparation at this Essex center, with one family noting their child's sadness at leaving. Reviewers describe the environment as safe and happy, emphasizing the teachers' genuine dedication to student success.
Frog & Toad Child Care & Learning Center LLC
26 Suzie Wilson Road, Essex, VT
Parents highlight the center's warm and welcoming atmosphere, noting that children and staff are happy and engaged during tours. Reviewers appreciate the high level of daily communication regarding their child's activities and well-being, attributing this to the director and staff's kindness.
Map
Daycare types in Essex
Browse by type in Essex
Child Daycare & Preschools in Essex, Vermont
There are 18 child daycare & preschools in Essex, Vermont, making up 72% of the 25 total childcare facilities in the city. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Essex have an average rating of 4.39 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.48 stars. Our analysis covers 114 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Essex, 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 Essex
Showing 18 results
Parents highlight the center's warm and welcoming atmosphere, noting that children and staff are happy and engaged during tours. Reviewers appreciate the high level of daily communication regarding their child's activities and well-being, attributing this to the director and staff's kindness.
- Address
- 26 Suzie Wilson Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 871-5309
- Quality
Parents describe the center as a warm, home-away-from-home that prioritizes social and emotional learning, with one long-term family highlighting the staff's deep knowledge of their children. Another parent notes their son's enjoyment over two years, while a fifth-star reviewer mentions minor difficulties finding the location online. The few reviews so far emphasize the supportive environment and staff dedication, with no operational complaints regarding care quality.
- Address
- 5 Ewing Place, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 871-5117
- Quality
Parents consistently praise Little Ones University for its organized, structured environment with passionate staff who genuinely care for children. The center emphasizes developmentally appropriate activities, regular communication with parents via the Brightwheel app, and creates a welcoming community where children are happy and engaged.
- Address
- 104 Old Colchester Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 872-7444
- Quality
This facility appears to be a technical/vocational school rather than a traditional daycare center. Reviews are limited and mixed in relevance, with positive feedback about instructor quality, communication, and support for students pursuing cosmetology and technical training.
- Address
- 3 Educational Drive, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 857-7459
- Quality
Parents highlight the caring staff and effective Kindergarten preparation at this Essex center, with one family noting their child's sadness at leaving. Reviewers describe the environment as safe and happy, emphasizing the teachers' genuine dedication to student success.
- Address
- 21 Essex Way, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 878-7331
- Quality
Parents consistently praise this gymnastics facility for its excellent coaching staff, top-quality equipment, and expanded facility. Reviews highlight strong competitive performance, welcoming atmosphere, and quality programming for various age groups from toddlers through competitive team members.
- Address
- 2 Corporate Drive, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 655-3300
- Quality
Parents consistently praise STEAMworks Preschool for its caring, dedicated staff and enriching educational activities. Children show enthusiasm for attending and demonstrate significant growth in social skills and academics. The director Amy and teachers like Crystal, Lauren, Nikki, and Tess receive particular recognition for their commitment and individualized attention to each child.
- Address
- 51 Center Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 871-3376
- Quality
Loveworks Child Care Centers in Essex receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews are 5-star ratings, with parents highlighting excellent teacher engagement, strong communication, and their children's happiness and development at the center.
- Address
- 25 Pinecrest Drive, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 879-2021
- Quality
Sports & Fitness Edge Kids & Fitness is highly rated for its caring, experienced staff and comprehensive programming including sports instruction, music classes, and kindergarten preparation. Parents praise the clean facilities, responsive management, and welcoming community atmosphere. The facility offers strong fitness amenities alongside quality childcare services.
- Address
- 4 Morse Drive, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 879-7734
- Quality
Parents highlight the center's friendly, caring staff and engaging, educational curriculum, noting that children often love attending. However, one review reports a negative experience with waitlist management, citing broken promises regarding spot availability and unprofessional interactions with the owner.
- Address
- 3 Oliver Wight Drive, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 879-9955
- Quality
Opinions on Green Mountain Munchkins Children's Center are sharply divided, with some families praising the educational activities and daily communication, while others report significant issues regarding forced fundraising, rigid policies, and unresponsive administration. One parent highlights the fun and learning aspects, whereas another details a negative experience involving mandatory volunteer requirements, communication failures, and a lack of flexibility during inclement weather.
- Address
- 27 River Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 876-7114
- Quality
- Address
- 21 Park Street, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 878-1375
- Quality
- Address
- 30 Hiawatha Avenue, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 857-7771
- Quality
- Address
- 1 Bixby Hill Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 651-4180
- Address
- 130 Maple Street, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 879-0791
- Address
- 17 Summit Street, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 857-7707
- Quality
- Address
- 8 Jericho Road, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 879-9114
- Quality
- Address
- 39 Main Street, Essex, VT
- Phone
- (802) 878-1060
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Frequently asked questions
- Licensing status with Vermont's regulatory agency
- Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Vermont)
- Safety measures and cleanliness
- Daily routines and educational curriculum
- Parent reviews and ratings
- Location and hours that fit your schedule
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 18 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 7 facilities