How do I choose the right daycare in Cookeville?

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

Cookeville offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 12 facilities Headstart Programs — 2 facilities Church Daycare — 3 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 28 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 Cookeville, Tennessee (28 Results)

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

Daycare costs in Tennessee 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 Cookeville for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Cookeville

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.

Best Beginnings

4.6 score

4.9(10)

122 E. 12th Street, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

Best Beginnings in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as caring, patient, and communicative. Parents highlight the center's clean facilities, engaging learning environment, and the staff's genuine affection for the children in their care.

Caring and patient staffexcellent parent communicationclean classroomsengaging activities and learning opportunities

Lighthouse Learning Academy, LLC

4.55 score

4.9(8)

1160 Perimeter Park Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 166 children

Parents consistently praise this homeschooling curriculum for its comprehensive academics, professional administration, and Christian-based education. Students report academic improvement, college acceptance, and flexible learning structures. The program offers diagnostic testing, graduation diplomas, and responsive advisor support.

Rigorous curriculum that surpasses traditional schoolsaccredited with professional record-keepingresponsive advisors and customer supportincludes Bible studies

Shiloh Head Start

4.47 score

4.7(10)

839 P. Brewington Road, Cookeville, TN · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 60 children

Parents consistently praise Shiloh Head Start for its caring and engaged teaching staff who genuinely enjoy working with children. The facility is described as providing a positive learning environment where children are happy to attend daily. All reviews are highly positive with no significant concerns raised.

Caring and attentive teacherspositive learning environmentstaff genuinely enjoy their jobschildren happy to attend

Busy Bees Preschool, LLC

4.37 score

4.6(8)

749 Buffalo Valley Rd., Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 68 children

Busy Bees Preschool receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the teachers' attentiveness, care, and genuine love for the children. Parents consistently report their children are happy, engaged, and eager to attend. One parent questioned whether the facility functions more as daycare than preschool based on curriculum materials.

Attentive and caring staffclean facilityfun atmospherestrong teacher-child relationships

Noah'S Ark

4.29 score

4.4(13)

780 Fairground Street, Cookeville, TN · Church Daycare · Capacity: 129 children

Noah's Ark is a religious daycare in Cookeville with consistently excellent reviews from parents. Parents praise the staff's genuine care, strong teacher-child relationships, and support through developmental transitions. The facility is noted for going above and beyond, including attending children's events and accommodating special needs.

Caring and loving staffstrong family-like relationships between teachers and childrenexcellent communicationsupport with developmental milestones (potty training

The Brightside School, LLC

4.19 score

4.3(9)

520 E. 10th Street, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 51 children

The Brightside School receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most parents praising the caring and attentive staff who go above and beyond for children's wellbeing and development. However, there are two negative reviews citing concerns about staff quality. The facility has a long operational history in the area.

Caring and attentive staffchild development and educationpatience with children's individual needslong-established reputation

Creative Learning, LLC

4.08 score

4.1(18)

275 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 177 children

Creative Learning LLC in Cookeville receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews gave 5-star ratings, highlighting the welcoming staff, strong communication, secure facility, and positive developmental outcomes for children. Parents report their children are happy, engaged, and thriving in the program.

Welcoming and caring staffexcellent daily communication and photo updates via mobile appsecure facility with locked doors and entry codesextended hours (6:30am-5:30pm)

Kids Putnam

4 score

4(11)

1130 Chocolate Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 75 children

Parents consistently praise KIDS PUTNAM's staff and teachers as caring, knowledgeable, and dedicated to child development. The center is noted for cleanliness, structured learning, and developmental progress tracking. One parent expressed concern about the director's patience with children.

Caring and experienced staffchild development focusstructured learning environmentcleanliness and health precautions

Color My World Child Care & Learning

4 score

4(7)

1701 N. Dixie, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 47 children

Color My World Child Care & Learning receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising caring, professional staff who create a family-like environment and support child development. One parent reported a negative experience with the director's handling of behavioral issues at age 2. Most reviews highlight strong teacher-child relationships, good communication, and flexibility with scheduling.

caring and loving staffprofessional communicationflexibi

Smart Play Day School

3.44 score

3.2(12)

600 E. Veterans Drive, Cookeville, TN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 99 children

Smart Play Day School has highly polarized reviews. Positive reviewers praise the staff's care, bilingual/sign language education, developmental progress, and communication. However, negative reviewers report serious concerns including alleged staff physical abuse of children, unexplained injuries, poor management after ownership change, frequent unannounced closures with continued payment requirements, safety hazards, inadequate video transparency, and health protocol violat

Before or After School Daycare in Cookeville, Tennessee

There are 28 before or after school daycare in Cookeville, Tennessee, making up 62% of the 45 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 Cookeville, 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 28 before or after school daycares in Cookeville, Tennessee, out of 45 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 Cookeville, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

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

Cookeville offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 12 facilities
Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
Church Daycare — 3 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 28 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 Tennessee 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 Cookeville for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Cookeville must be licensed by Tennessee'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.

28 Before or After School Daycare in Cookeville, Tennessee

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Cookeville

Top Rated

Dodson Branch Elem. Pre-K

Heavenly Host Early Childhood Center

Map

Daycare types in Cookeville