Best Daycares in Lakeland, FL — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 42 daycares and childcare centers in Lakeland based on listed credentials, recorded public reviews, and profile information.

Top Daycares in Lakeland

  1. #1 — Little Shepherds Preschool Score: 27/100

    Little Shepherds Preschool is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://fpclakeland.org.

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

  2. #2 — Kid's Town Preschool Score: 26/100

    Kid's Town Preschool is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://kidstownbrunswick.com.

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

  3. #3 — Pathway of Lakeland Score: 23/100

    Pathway of Lakeland is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.yourtrinitylifechurch.org/.

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

  4. #4 — PCPS Early Childhood Score: 23/100

    PCPS Early Childhood is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool. Website: http://www.polkschoolsfl.com/earlychildhood.

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  5. #5 — Montessori Preschool of Lakeland Score: 21/100

    Montessori Preschool of Lakeland is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.lakelandweb.net/montessori/.

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

  6. #6 — Southside Learning Center Score: 21/100

    Southside Learning Center is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://www.southsidelearningcenter.com.

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

  7. #7 — Taylor Learning Center Score: 21/100

    Taylor Learning Center is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website: http://lakelandchildcare.com/.

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

  8. #8 — Precious Children in the Highlands Preschool Score: 20/100

    Precious Children in the Highlands Preschool is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.pchighlands.com/preschool.

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

  9. #9 — Revive Academy Preschool Score: 20/100

    Revive Academy Preschool is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://www.revivechurchlakeland.com/revive-academy.

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

  10. #10 — Taylor Learning Center Inc Score: 17/100

    Taylor Learning Center Inc is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.lakelandchildcare.com/.

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

  11. #11 — My Little House Learning Center Score: 13/100

    My Little House Learning Center is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool.

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

  12. #12 — Sheris Learning Thru Love Score: 13/100

    Sheris Learning Thru Love is a childcare center in Lakeland, FL. Programs include Preschool, private school, home service.

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, Home service. View full profile →

  13. #13 — Keeping It Real Ministries 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 225. Services shown in the snapshot: After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Kid's Choice Academy Learning Center, 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 44. 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. View full profile →

  15. #15 — Kidz Korner Nursery & 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 29. 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. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Kings Family Day 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, Night Care, Before School, After School, Weekend Care, Infant…

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

  17. #17 — Lakeland Christian 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 24. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Food Served. Confirm present license status and availability with Florida DCF.

    Programs: Full Day. View full profile →

  18. #18 — LaPetite Academy 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 115. 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 →

  19. #19 — Lighthouse Community 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 58. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Infant Care. Confirm present license status and availability with Florida DCF.

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

  20. #20 — Little Footsteps 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 146. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Weekend Care, Infant Care, Food Served,…

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

  21. #21 — Little Wonders 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 122. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Food Served.

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

  22. #22 — Lots Of Love Childcare Center, 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 26. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, After School, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  23. #23 — Mary's Little Lambs Enrichment 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 100. 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 →

  24. #24 — May Dempsey Family Home Day Care 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, Drop In, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  25. #25 — McCullough Large 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 12. 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 →

  26. #26 — Mi Escuela Montessori 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 255. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, After School, Food Served.

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

  27. #27 — Morris Bridgett 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, Night Care, Before School, After School, Weekend Care, Infant…

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

  28. #28 — Mrs. Chick's Lil Chick-A-Dee Learning 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 10. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Food Served.

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

  29. #29 — Nadine Mcfarlane Family Daycare 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, Night Care, Before School, After School, Weekend Care, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  30. #30 — Paholas LLC Dba Ms Kristin's Kinder 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 52. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care.

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

  31. #31 — Preparing The Way Ministries Enrichment 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 40. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  32. #32 — Progress 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 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. View full profile →

  33. #33 — Rising Little Stars 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 99. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Food Served.

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

  34. #34 — Star Achievers 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 78. 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 →

  35. #35 — Tater Tots Learning Academy, 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 59. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  36. #36 — Tender Loving Care Christian Learning Academy II 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 20. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Before School, After School, Food Served.

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

  37. #37 — THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE SOUTHEAST LAKELAND 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 148. 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. View full profile →

  38. #38 — The Nest Schools, 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 245. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Half Day, Drop In, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  39. #39 — The Salvation Army HALO Child Enrichment 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 241. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Infant Care, Food Served, Transportation.

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

  40. #40 — Top Tier Kids 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 30. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Drop In, Infant Care.

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

  41. #41 — Traviss Teen Parent Program 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, Infant Care, Food Served.

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

  42. #42 — YMCA - Activity Club 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 252. Services shown in the snapshot: Full Day, Before School, After School, Food Served, Transportation.

    Programs: After School, Full Day, 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 →

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Frequently asked questions

Which daycare has the highest information score on this results page in Lakeland?
Little Shepherds Preschool 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 Lakeland?
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 Lakeland?
Childcare costs in Lakeland 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.