Who is the #1 daycare in Durham?

Afreya's Play Ground is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Durham 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 Durham?

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 Durham?

Childcare costs in Durham 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 Durham, NC — 2026 Rankings

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

Top Daycares in Durham

#1 — Afreya's Play Ground Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#2 — Butterfly Kisses Academy Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#3 — Early Start Academy Score: 77%

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

Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
#5 — Beacon Learning Academy RTP Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#6 — Rose of Sharon Preschool Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#7 — Asbury Preschool Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#8 — Duke Memorial Weekday School Score: 77%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#9 — Our PlayHouse Preschool Score: 77%

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

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#11 — Grey Stone Preschool and Kindergarten Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, School. View full profile →
#12 — Beth El Preschool Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#13 — Community Preschool at Lakewood Score: 71%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#14 — Children First Score: 66%

Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →
#15 — Learning Tots Academy Score: 63%

Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
#16 — Small World Preschool Score: 63%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#17 — Brown's Early Learning School Score: 63%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#18 — Westminster School for Young Children Score: 63%

Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
#19 — Little Kidz Preschool Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#20 — Little School At Duke Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Private school, Home service. View full profile →
#21 — Epworth Preschool Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#22 — Family Preschool Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#23 — Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#24 — Children's Campus At Southpoint Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#25 — The Playhouse Early Academy Score: 60%

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

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#27 — Rhythmic Roots Preschool Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Music school, Home service. View full profile →
#28 — Children's Cooperative Playschool Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
#29 — Gifted Stars Early Learning Academy Score: 60%

Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
#30 — Duke Street KinderCare Score: 57%

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 →

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Durham?: Afreya's Play Ground is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Durham 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 Durham?: 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 Durham?: Childcare costs in Durham 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 Durham

#1 — Afreya's Play Ground Score: 77%

#2 — Butterfly Kisses Academy Score: 77%

#3 — Early Start Academy Score: 77%

#4 — Durham PreK Score: 77%

#5 — Beacon Learning Academy RTP Score: 77%

#6 — Rose of Sharon Preschool Score: 77%

#7 — Asbury Preschool Score: 77%

#8 — Duke Memorial Weekday School Score: 77%

#9 — Our PlayHouse Preschool Score: 77%

#10 — Primrose School Score: 77%

#11 — Grey Stone Preschool and Kindergarten Score: 71%

#12 — Beth El Preschool Score: 71%

#13 — Community Preschool at Lakewood Score: 71%

#14 — Children First Score: 66%

#15 — Learning Tots Academy Score: 63%

#16 — Small World Preschool Score: 63%

#17 — Brown's Early Learning School Score: 63%

#18 — Westminster School for Young Children Score: 63%

#19 — Little Kidz Preschool Score: 60%

#20 — Little School At Duke Score: 60%

#21 — Epworth Preschool Score: 60%

#22 — Family Preschool Score: 60%

#23 — Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park Score: 60%

#24 — Children's Campus At Southpoint Score: 60%

#25 — The Playhouse Early Academy Score: 60%

#26 — Lakewood Avenue Children's School Score: 60%

#27 — Rhythmic Roots Preschool Score: 60%

#28 — Children's Cooperative Playschool Score: 60%

#29 — Gifted Stars Early Learning Academy Score: 60%

#30 — Duke Street KinderCare Score: 57%

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Frequently asked questions