How do I choose the right daycare in Tucson?

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

What types of daycare are available in Tucson?

Tucson offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 196 facilities Headstart Programs — 23 facilities Church Daycare — 15 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 77 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Headstart Programs in Tucson, Arizona (23 Results)

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

Daycare costs in Arizona 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 Tucson for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Tucson

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.

Happy Trails School

4.8 score

5(20)

3255 North Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ · Church Daycare · Capacity: 141 children

Happy Trails Christian Preschool in Tucson receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, family-like environment and faith-based curriculum. Parents highlight the affordability, quality staff, comprehensive services (meals, transportation, swimming lessons), and strong academic preparation. Multiple families report multi-year enrollment and recommend the facility highly.

Caring and dedicated teachersfamily-like welcoming environmentaffordabilityall meals provided

Little Castle Childcare & Preschool

4.76 score

5(16)

6425 S Pacheco Ave, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 105 children

Little Castle Childcare & Preschool in Tucson receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the facility's cleanliness, caring and attentive staff, and strong academic focus. Parents report their children love attending, show developmental progress, and are well-prepared for kindergarten.

friendly and caring staffclean facilitystrong academic curriculumdevelopmental progress observed

Creative Beginnings

4.75 score

5(15)

2690 North 1st Avenue, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 52 children

Creative Beginnings receives consistently high praise from parents, with particular recognition for staff members Samantha, Chelsea, and Lexi. Parents highlight the caring, patient teaching approach, well-rounded curriculum including education and self-care skills, and strong teacher-child relationships.

Caring and patient staffindividual teacher attentioncurriculum includes academics and life skillswarm welcoming environment

Kids Village Pre-School And Child Care

4.72 score

4.9(20)

1321 North 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 104 children

Parents consistently praise Kids Village for its nurturing environment, professional staff, and strong educational focus. The facility maintains excellent cleanliness and safety standards, with low staff turnover that ensures consistency. Multiple long-term families highlight the caring teachers, effective communication via app updates, and children's measurable developmental progress.

Warm and compassionate stafflow staff turnoverclean and safe facilitiesstrong educational curriculum

Three Points Child Care Center

4.71 score

4.9(19)

15530 W Ajo, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 96 children

Three Points Child Care Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the dedicated, caring staff and nurturing environment. Parents consistently highlight the strong communication, small class sizes, and visible child development across social, emotional, and cognitive areas.

Caring and professional staffstrong communication and transparencysmall intimate class sizeswell-rounded curriculum with educational activities and outdoor play

Creative Kids Preschool

4.71 score

5(12)

1310 West Ina Road, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children

Creative Kids Preschool receives consistently positive feedback from parents who praise the caring, attentive staff and nurturing environment. Parents highlight their children's happiness, engagement, and developmental progress, with particular appreciation for the small class sizes and faith-based curriculum.

Caring and attentive staffsmall class sizeschildren's happiness and enthusiasmstrong developmental progress and learning outcomes

Lamb'S Gate Preschool & Kindergarten

4.7 score

4.9(17)

4700 North Swan Road, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 176 children

Lamb's Gate Preschool & Kindergarten in Tucson is a highly-regarded Christian preschool with a 50+ year history that parents consistently praise for its welcoming, bright campus, caring staff, and balanced approach to early childhood education. Parents report their children develop strong academic skills, form lasting friendships, and retain positive memories well into elementary and high school. The school is noted for its secure facilities, daily Christian worship, sensory-

Capstone Quest Academy

4.69 score

5(11)

1150 North Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 59 children

Capstone Quest Academy receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise the Pre-K program, particularly teacher Ms. Lizette, for creating a loving, educational environment where children are excited to attend. Parents highlight the school's classroom-like setting, hands-on learning activities including STEM and Spanish, personal attention to each child, and strong communication with families.

Dedicated and caring staffespecially Ms. Lizette; hands-on learning activities and projects; STEM and Spanish instruction; classroom environment rather than daycare feel; circle time and daily educational structure; children eager to attend; personal relationships between staff and families; clean facilities; easy parent access to child's progress; consistent year-over-year improvements; teacher patience and emotional support for children

International School Of Tucson

4.67 score

5(10)

1701 East Seneca Street, Tucson, AZ · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 401 children

Parents consistently praise International School of Tucson for its multilingual immersion programs with native-speaking teachers, warm and caring staff, and strong sense of community. Children are reported to thrive academically and socially while developing language skills and global perspectives. The school is noted for rigorous curriculum, low class sizes, and genuine investment in student well-being.

Language immersion programs (GermanSpanishFrenchChinese)

Congregation Anshei Israel Esther B Feldman Preschool/Kindergarten

4.64 score

5(9)

5550 East 5th Street, Tucson, AZ · Church Daycare · Capacity: 220 children

Parents consistently praise Congregation Anshei Israel Esther B Feldman Preschool as a warm, nurturing facility with experienced, caring staff and strong academic and social-emotional growth. All reviewers highlight the welcoming community atmosphere, high-quality programming, and affordability, with many noting their children love attending and are well-prepared for kindergarten.

Experienced and long-tenured teacherssmall class sizeslow student-to-teacher ratioscaring and attentive staff

Headstart Programs in Tucson, Arizona

There are 23 headstart programs in Tucson, Arizona, making up 7% of the 311 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.

When choosing a daycare in Tucson, 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 23 headstart programs daycares in Tucson, Arizona, out of 311 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

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

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

Tucson offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 196 facilities
Headstart Programs — 23 facilities
Church Daycare — 15 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 77 facilities

Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Daycare costs in Arizona 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 Tucson for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Tucson must be licensed by Arizona'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.

23 Headstart Programs in Tucson, Arizona

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Tucson

Top Rated

Elvira Head Start

Keeling Head Start

Sunnyside Headstart

Santa Clara Head Start

Amphi Head Start

Prince Head Start

Map

Daycare types in Tucson

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