Best Daycares in Boulder, CO — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 26 daycares and childcare centers in Boulder based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Boulder

  1. #1 — Snow Lion School Score: 77%

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

  2. #2 — The Acorn School Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Private school. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Sunflower Preschool Score: 77%

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

  4. #4 — The Giggling Tree Academy Daycare Center and Preschool Score: 77%

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

  5. #5 — Sunrise Early Learning Center Score: 77%

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

  6. #6 — Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten Score: 77%

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

  7. #7 — Golden Aspen Bilingual Academy Score: 77%

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

  8. #8 — Dream Makers Preschool Score: 77%

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

  9. #9 — Off Broadway Preschool of Fine Arts Score: 77%

    Programs: Preschool, Art school, Specialty school. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Mapleton Early Childhood Center Score: 77%

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

  11. #11 — Boulder Bilingual Childcare and Preschool Score: 77%

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

  12. #12 — Meadowlark Pre-School Score: 74%

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

  13. #13 — Boulder Valley Early Childhood Education Score: 71%

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

  14. #14 — Children's House Preschool Score: 71%

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

  15. #15 — Mt. Hope Lutheran Preschool Score: 71%

    Programs: Preschool, School, Education. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Cottage School Score: 70%

    Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →

  17. #17 — The Cottage School Score: 70%

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, School, Education. View full profile →

  18. #18 — Mt. Zion Lutheran Preschool Score: 70%

    Programs: Preschool, School, Education. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Blue Leaf School Score: 69%

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  20. #20 — New Horizons Co-Op Preschool Score: 60%

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

  21. #21 — Child Learning Center (CLC) Score: 60%

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

  22. #22 — Growing Minds Learning Academy Score: 60%

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

  23. #23 — Boulder Journey School Score: 60%

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

  24. #24 — Alaya Preschool Score: 60%

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

  25. #25 — Patience Montessori School Score: 60%

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Elementary school. View full profile →

  26. #26 — ScuttleBugs Boulder Score: 54%

    Programs: Preschool, School, Education. 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 Boulder?
Snow Lion School is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Boulder 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 Boulder?
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 Boulder?
Childcare costs in Boulder 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.