How do I choose the right daycare in Dayton?

When choosing a daycare in Dayton, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with Ohio's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Ohio) 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 Dayton?

Dayton offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 101 facilities Church Daycare — 9 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 24 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Before or After School Daycare in Dayton, Ohio (24 Results)

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

Daycare costs in Ohio 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 Dayton for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Dayton

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.

A Great Start Preschool INC

4.8 score

5(20)

7001 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

A Great Start Preschool receives universally positive feedback from parents who praise the school's educational quality, safe environment, and strong staff leadership under director Christina Miller. Parents consistently report significant developmental progress in their children, who enjoy attending and form lasting friendships. The school is noted for its engaging activities and welcoming atmosphere.

Excellent director leadershipcaring and professional staffstrong academic preparation for kindergartenfun activities and events

Little Heart School House Early Learning Academy LLC

4.72 score

4.9(20)

4501 Riverside Drive, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Little Hearts School House Early Learning Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented environment where children thrive academically and emotionally. Parents highlight the staff's genuine care, patience, and dedication to individual child development, along with the center's commitment to education and community engagement. Multiple parents credit the daycare with supporting their children's long-term success and pers

Little Hearts School House Evening Family

4.72 score

4.9(20)

1823 N Main St, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Little Hearts School House Evening Family receives consistently perfect ratings from parents who praise the caring, nurturing environment and dedicated staff. Parents report their children thrive academically and emotionally, with the center going above and beyond to meet individual needs including special needs accommodation. The facility is also recognized for community involvement through mentoring programs and educational scholarships.

Caring and attentive staffnurturing family-like environmentstrong child development and progresspersonalized attention

Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy

4.72 score

4.9(20)

4821 Salem Ave., Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

Little Hearts School House Infant Toddler Academy receives consistently high praise from parents who describe it as a nurturing, family-oriented center with dedicated staff who provide personalized attention and genuine care. Parents highlight the center's educational focus, strong community involvement, and willingness to accommodate individual child needs, including special needs support. Multiple reviewers credit the center with significant developmental progress in their children and express long-term loyalty.

Dedicated and attentive staffpersonalized child carefamily-oriented atmosphereeducational curriculum

Playtime Nursery School

4.72 score

4.9(20)

821 Whitmore Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 33 children

Playtime Nursery School receives universal 5-star praise from parents who highlight the welcoming environment, caring staff leadership under owner Ms. Terri, and strong educational curriculum that prepares children for grade school. Parents consistently report their children are excited to attend, feel safe, and thrive developmentally in a clean, family-oriented setting.

Convenient hourswelcoming staffeducational curriculumclean facility

Center For Jewish Culture & Education

4.71 score

5(12)

525 Versailles Drive, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 88 children

Parents praise the Center for Jewish Culture & Education as an outstanding daycare with consistently excellent staff who are described as family-like and welcoming. The facility is well-organized, clean, and offers quality childcare alongside special events, community programs, and kosher food. All reviews are 5-star ratings highlighting the positive experience for both children and families.

Caring and family-like staffquality childcarewell-organized programsspecial events

For Love Of Chidren

4.64 score

4.8(20)

128 W. First St, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

For Love of Children (FLOC) is a highly-regarded nonprofit organization in the Dayton area that provides comprehensive support to struggling children and youth through tutoring, mentorship, and assistance programs. Parents consistently praise the dedicated volunteer staff for their genuine care, transformative impact on children's academic performance and well-being, and generous support including clothing, food, and educational resources. The organization serves foster children, homeless youth, and families in need across Montgomery and Greene Counties.

Caring and dedicated volunteersAcademic improvement in studentsSafe and welcoming environmentComprehensive support programs including tutoring and mentoring

On Purpose Academy And Mentoring Center

4.56 score

4.7(20)

51 Best Street, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 74 children

On Purpose Academy receives consistently excellent feedback from parents, with particular praise for Director Ms. Kim's personal attention and hands-on leadership. Parents highlight the qualified teaching staff, individualized education focused on kindergarten preparation, and strong partnerships with families for child development across academic, social, and emotional domains.

Director Ms. Kim knows families by name and is highly involved in enrollmentcompassionate and dedicated teaching staffindividualized attention to each child's needslive classroom cameras for parents

The Word Youth Center

4.55 score

4.9(8)

3401 W. Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 21 children

Unable to provide daycare summary. The reviews provided are for a church (The Word Youth Center functioning as a place of worship), not a daycare center. No reviews about childcare services, staff qualifications, activities, safety, or educational programs were found.

None applicable - reviews discuss religious worship experiencenot childcare

Steps Creative Center

4.5 score

5(5)

1930 N Main Street, Dayton, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children

STEPS CREATIVE CENTER receives perfect 5-star ratings from parents who praise the professional and caring staff, clean and safe facility, and engaging educational activities. Parents highlight the family atmosphere, nutritious meals, field trips, and annual pageant as standout features, with children expressing enthusiasm about attending.

Professional and caring staffclean and safe facilityfamily atmosphereengaging activities and field trips

Before or After School Daycare in Dayton, Ohio

There are 24 before or after school daycare in Dayton, Ohio, making up 18% of the 134 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 Dayton, 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 24 before or after school daycares in Dayton, Ohio, out of 134 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 Dayton, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

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

Dayton offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 101 facilities
Church Daycare — 9 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 24 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 Ohio 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 Dayton for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Dayton must be licensed by Ohio'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.

24 Before or After School Daycare in Dayton, Ohio

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Dayton

Top Rated

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Map

Daycare types in Dayton

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