Best Daycares in Columbus, OH — 2026 Rankings

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

Top Daycares in Columbus

  1. #1 — St. Catharine Preschool Score: 91%

    Saint Catharine School

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Balanced Family Academy of Clintonville Score: 86%

    Wholistic Childcare and Preschool in Clintonville

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  3. #3 — My Little World Academy Score: 86%

    My Little World Academy is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.mylittleworldacademy.com/.

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

  4. #4 — Columbus Early Learning Center At Westside Score: 86%

    Columbus Early Learning Center At Westside is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.columbusearlylearning.org.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  5. #5 — St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center Score: 86%

    St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.stjohnpaul2preschool.com/.

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

  6. #6 — The Childhood League Center Score: 86%

    The Childhood League Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://www.childhoodleague.org/.

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

  7. #7 — Linden Park Early Childhood Education Center Score: 86%

    Linden Park Early Childhood Education Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/lindenparkecec.

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

  8. #8 — Forest Park Christian Early Learning Center Score: 86%

    Forest Park Christian Early Learning Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.forestparkchristian.com/.

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

  9. #9 — Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers Score: 84%

    Jelly Bean Junction Learning Centers is a childcare center in COLUMBUS, OH. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.jellybeanjunction.com/.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Kiwi's Clubhouse, Upper Arlington Score: 83%

    Kiwi's Clubhouse, Upper Arlington is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: https://www.kiwisclubhousecolumbus.com/.

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

  11. #11 — ABC Christian Preschool Score: 80%

    ABC Christian Preschool is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, elementary school, school. Website: http://briggsroadbaptist.org/.

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

  12. #12 — Creative Child Care, Inc. - SOUTHEAST Score: 80%

    Creative Child Care, Inc. - SOUTHEAST is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.creativechildcareinc.com/.

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

  13. #13 — Brice Church Preschool Score: 80%

    Brice Church Preschool is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, school. Website: http://Bricechurch.org/.

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

  14. #14 — Creative Child Care, Inc. - EAST Score: 80%

    Creative Child Care, Inc. - EAST is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.creativechildcareinc.com/.

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

  15. #15 — Primrose School of Hilliard at Mill Run Score: 77%

    Primrose School of Hilliard at Mill Run is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://www.primroseschools.com/schools/hilliard-mill-run.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Primrose School of Reynoldsburg Score: 77%

    Primrose School of Reynoldsburg is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool. Website: https://www.primroseschools.com/schools/reynoldsburg.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Indianola Children's Center Score: 74%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/13348495791. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, email, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  18. #18 — Apricot Schools Score: 71%

    Apricot Schools is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://Www.Apricotschools.com/.

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

  19. #19 — Chosen Kids Learning Center Score: 71%

    Chosen Kids Learning Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://lovinghandslearningcenter.com/home.html.

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

  20. #20 — Brightside Academy Score: 69%

    Brightside Academy is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.brightsideacademy.com.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  21. #21 — Kidz Nation Childcare Center Score: 69%

    Kidz Nation Childcare Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, school, education. Website: http://www.kidznationchildcare.com/.

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

  22. #22 — Sprout Early Education Center Score: 69%

    Sprout Early Education Center is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.sprout4kids.com/.

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

  23. #23 — Montessori Children's House Score: 69%

    Montessori Children's House is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://www.montessorichildrens.com/.

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

  24. #24 — Balanced Family Academy Score: 69%

    Balanced Family Academy is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.balancedfamilyacademy.com.

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

  25. #25 — Kiddie Academy Score: 66%

    Kiddie Academy is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://educationaldaycare.kiddieacademy.com.

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

  26. #26 — Cherry Bottom KinderCare Score: 66%

    Cherry Bottom KinderCare is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.kindercare.com/our-centers/center-details/000177/?CID=LOC_Bing_Biz_Listing_000177.

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

  27. #27 — Heavenly Kids Center for Early Learning Score: 66%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/612698007. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, email, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  28. #28 — Helpful Hands Childrens Center Score: 63%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/9995548001. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  29. #29 — Teachable Moments @ Little Gems Score: 63%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/566548837. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  30. #30 — Sunny Day Academy Score: 60%

    Sunny Day Academy is a childcare center in Columbus, OH. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.preschoolhilliardoh.com/.

    Programs: Preschool, Child care and day care, 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 →

Browse Columbus daycares by program

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Columbus?
St. Catharine Preschool is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Columbus 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 Columbus?
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 Columbus?
Childcare costs in Columbus 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.