Children at daycare

Best Before or After School Daycare in South Portland, ME

Compare 1 before or after school daycare in South Portland. Average rating: 4.34/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

South Portland, Maine at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.34/5
Parent reviews
76
Top rated (4.5+)
4

South Portland has 1 licensed before or after school daycare with 76 parent reviews averaging 4.34/5.Notable: 4 Montessori programs offer alternative early-learning approaches.The largest concentration is in 04106 with 19 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in South 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.

  1. 1
    Lighthouse School & Child Care Center
    4.48 score
    4.7(11)

    525 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 163 children

    Parents consistently praise Lighthouse School & Child Care Center for its caring and nurturing environment. The facility is described as clean, safe, and well-organized with engaging activities, and staff are frequently noted as warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in children's well-being. Multiple parents report their children thrived there and chose to stay rather than transition to other options.

    Caring and compassionate staffwarm and loving environmentclean and safe facilitywell-organized
  2. 2
    Shining Star Child Development Center
    4.06 score
    4.1(8)

    60 Darling Ave, South Portland, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 115 children

    Shining Star Child Development Center receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, welcoming environment, and educational benefits. However, two negative reviews raise serious concerns about staffing levels, supervision during nap times, and the center's ability to support children with trauma or special needs.

    Friendly and caring staffconsistent hourscolorful and welcoming infant roomregular photo/update communication with parents
  3. 3
    Building Blocks Day Care - South Portland
    3.68 score
    3.5(9)

    100 Westbrook St Thornton Hgts Un, South Portland, ME · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 87 children

    Building Blocks Day Care receives mixed reviews with strong praise from most families but serious concerns from a few parents. The majority of reviewers highlight excellent staff, safety, communication, and a nurturing environment, while a small number report communication breakdowns, inadequate support for children with autism spectrum disorder, and disorganization.

    Experiencedstableand caring staff; strong parent-teacher communication; daily photo and activity

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in South Portland

4.5 - 5.0
4
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
2
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in South Portland, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.34avg rating
19 daycares · 7 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

South Portland zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0410619
4.34
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in South Portland (12–163 children)

Small

up to 30 children

7

Medium

31–75 children

7

Large

76–150 children

4

Very Large

150+ children

2

Map

Daycare types in South Portland

Child Daycare & Preschools 19Before or After School Daycare 1

Browse by type in South Portland

🌱 Montessori 4

Before or After School Daycare in South Portland, Maine

There are 1 before or after school daycare in South Portland, Maine, making up 5% of the 20 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 South Portland have an average rating of 4.34 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 57% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.34 stars. Our analysis covers 76 parent reviews.

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

All Before or After School Daycare in South Portland

Showing 1 results

Ymca Of Southern Maine - Brown School
Before or After School Daycare

These reviews do not pertain to the daycare facility. All reviews discuss the Portland YMCA's gym, pool, and fitness facilities rather than the YMCA of Southern Maine - Brown School daycare program located in South Portland.

None applicable to daycare services
Address
35 Highland Avenue, South Portland, ME
Phone
(207) 874-1111

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Frequently asked questions

There are 1 before or after school daycares in South Portland, Maine, out of 20 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in South Portland have an average Google rating of 4.34 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 57% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in South Portland, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Maine's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Maine)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
South Portland offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 19 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 1 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 Maine 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 South Portland for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in South Portland must be licensed by Maine'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.