Who is the #1 daycare in Arlington?

The Merit School of Arlington is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Arlington based on our Guide Score, which evaluates parent reviews, licensing status, accreditation, and quality signals. See the full ranked list above.

How are daycares ranked in Arlington?

Our Guide Score percentage combines weighted evidence from Google rating, review volume, web and contact presence, profile completeness, accreditation, press recognition, and years of operation, then normalizes across categories with captured positive evidence. There is no paid placement.

How much does daycare cost in Arlington?

Childcare costs in Arlington vary by program type and age group. Full-time infant care commonly ranges from $800–$2,500/month; preschool programs run $600–$1,800/month. Each center's profile page lists contact information for current rates.

Best Daycares in Arlington, VA — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 50 daycares and childcare centers in Arlington based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Arlington

#1 — The Merit School of Arlington Score: 97%

The Merit School of Arlington

Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
#2 — Little Ambassadors Academy Score: 80%

Little Ambassadors' Academy

Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
#3 — Tate Tots Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#4 — Sonshine Bible School Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →
#5 — C Care Preschool Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#6 — Primrose School of Southwest Arlington Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Private school, Home service. View full profile →
#7 — Childcare Network Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →
#8 — Trinity Early Learning Center Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →
#9 — GLEE - Grace Lutheran Early Education Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#10 — Play Academy Arlington Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Private school, Home service. View full profile →
#11 — Royalty Christian Academy LLC Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Private school, Home service. View full profile →
#12 — Primrose School of Northeast Green Oaks Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#13 — Faith Lutheran Preschool Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#14 — Ballston Children's Center Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#15 — Fielder's Early Childhood Center Score: 76%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#16 — Calvary Children's School Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#17 — Bright Horizons of Ballston Score: 71%

Arlington daycare

Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
#18 — MBS Discovery Center Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, School. View full profile →
#19 — Spanish Schoolhouse Arlington Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Language school, Specialty school, School, Education. View full profile →
#20 — The Gardner School of Arlington Score: 69%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#21 — Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool Score: 69%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#22 — Brennan Academy Score: 66%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, School. View full profile →
#23 — Blue Bird Day School Score: 66%

Blue Bird Day School

Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
#24 — VINCI School Score: 63%

Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/211197953. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
#25 — Little Shepherd Children's Center Score: 63%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#26 — Luv' Em and Leave' Em Professional Learning Center Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#27 — KIDS Humpty Dumpty Academy Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#28 — Children's International School Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →
#29 — Tender Roots Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
#30 — Saint Charles Early Childhood Education Center Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score percentage combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation such as NAEYC (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%), then normalizes across captured positive categories. Read our full methodology →

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Arlington?: The Merit School of Arlington is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Arlington based on our Guide Score, which evaluates parent reviews, licensing status, accreditation, and quality signals. See the full ranked list above.
How are daycares ranked in Arlington?: Our Guide Score percentage combines weighted evidence from Google rating, review volume, web and contact presence, profile completeness, accreditation, press recognition, and years of operation, then normalizes across categories with captured positive evidence. There is no paid placement.
How much does daycare cost in Arlington?: Childcare costs in Arlington vary by program type and age group. Full-time infant care commonly ranges from $800–$2,500/month; preschool programs run $600–$1,800/month. Each center's profile page lists contact information for current rates.

Top Daycares in Arlington

#1 — The Merit School of Arlington Score: 97%

#2 — Little Ambassadors Academy Score: 80%

#3 — Tate Tots Score: 77%

#4 — Sonshine Bible School Score: 77%

#5 — C Care Preschool Score: 77%

#6 — Primrose School of Southwest Arlington Score: 77%

#7 — Childcare Network Score: 77%

#8 — Trinity Early Learning Center Score: 77%

#9 — GLEE - Grace Lutheran Early Education Score: 77%

#10 — Play Academy Arlington Score: 77%

#11 — Royalty Christian Academy LLC Score: 77%

#12 — Primrose School of Northeast Green Oaks Score: 77%

#13 — Faith Lutheran Preschool Score: 77%

#14 — Ballston Children's Center Score: 77%

#15 — Fielder's Early Childhood Center Score: 76%

#16 — Calvary Children's School Score: 71%

#17 — Bright Horizons of Ballston Score: 71%

#18 — MBS Discovery Center Score: 71%

#19 — Spanish Schoolhouse Arlington Score: 71%

#20 — The Gardner School of Arlington Score: 69%

#21 — Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool Score: 69%

#22 — Brennan Academy Score: 66%

#23 — Blue Bird Day School Score: 66%

#24 — VINCI School Score: 63%

#25 — Little Shepherd Children's Center Score: 63%

#26 — Luv' Em and Leave' Em Professional Learning Center Score: 60%

#27 — KIDS Humpty Dumpty Academy Score: 60%

#28 — Children's International School Score: 60%

#29 — Tender Roots Score: 60%

#30 — Saint Charles Early Childhood Education Center Score: 60%

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Frequently asked questions