Best Daycares in Lake City, FL — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 23 daycares and childcare centers in Lake City based on listed credentials, recorded public reviews, and profile information.

Top Daycares in Lake City

  1. #1 — Busy Bee Playschool 2 Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 62. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Castle Hill Academy LLC Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 170. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  3. #3 — First Horizon Christian Academy Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 40. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Infant Care. Confirm present license status and availability with Florida DCF.

    Programs: Infant Care, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Full Of Joy Family Child Care Home Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 10. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, After School, Infant Care, Food Served.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time. View full profile →

  5. #5 — Green Acres Learning Center Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 118. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day. View full profile →

  6. #6 — Hands Of Love Learning Center Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 33. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, Night Care, Before School, After School, Weekend Care, Infant…

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  7. #7 — Happy House Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 327. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Harriette's Right Way Nursery Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 45. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served,…

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Jewel's Little Rascals Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 105. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  10. #10 — Johnson's Love-N-Learn Daycare Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 72. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  11. #11 — Kountry Kids Daycare Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 170. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  12. #12 — Lake City Learning Center Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 195. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Full Day. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Lawton's Place Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 120. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Infant Care, Food Served.

    Programs: Infant Care, Full Day. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Lollipop Childcare Center Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 92. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  15. #15 — Lollipop Hangout, Inc. Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 26. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day, Part Time. View full profile →

  16. #16 — My Little Red Schoolhouse Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 87. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Nanny's Place Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 67. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  18. #18 — New Standards Childcare Facility Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 26. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  19. #19 — O2B Kids Lake City Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 136. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

  20. #20 — Pride & Joy Child Care & Preschool Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 98. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day, Pre K. View full profile →

  21. #21 — Smithy Family Day Care Home Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Registered.” The listing reports capacity 8. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, Infant Care, Food Served.

    Programs: Infant Care, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time. View full profile →

  22. #22 — SouthRidge Day School Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 198. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Transportation.

    Programs: Infant Care, After School, Full Day. View full profile →

  23. #23 — Wee Care Pre-School & Daycare Inc Score: 7/100

    Florida DCF’s statewide provider listing dated 2026-09-04 records this childcare provider as “Operational” and “Licensed.” The listing reports capacity 114. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, Before School, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Drop In, Full Day, Part Time, Pre K. View full profile →

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

The Directory information score is a 0–100 summary of captured profile and public review information. Fixed point limits apply to public ratings, review volume, web presence, profile completeness, listed credentials, press mentions, and reported experience. Missing information contributes no points. A low score may reflect missing data; the score does not measure service quality or guarantee suitability. Read our full methodology →

Browse Lake City daycares by program

Frequently asked questions

Which daycare has the highest information score on this results page in Lake City?
Busy Bee Playschool 2 has the highest Directory information score among the listings shown on this page. The score summarizes recorded profile information; it does not establish service quality or suitability.
How are daycares ranked in Lake City?
The Directory information score is a 0–100 summary of captured profile and public review information. Fixed point limits apply to public ratings, review volume, web presence, profile completeness, listed credentials, press mentions, and reported experience. Missing information contributes no points. A low score may reflect missing data; the score does not measure service quality or guarantee suitability. There is no paid placement.
How much does daycare cost in Lake City?
Childcare costs in Lake City 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.