Best Daycares in Scranton, PA — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 10 daycares and childcare centers in Scranton based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Scranton

  1. #1 — South Scranton Headstart Score: 86%

    South Scranton Headstart is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.headstartslhda.org.

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

  2. #2 — Northeastern Child Care Services Score: 86%

    Northeastern Child Care Services is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, child care and day care, school, education. Website: http://www.nechildcare.org/.

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

  3. #3 — Quincy KinderCare Score: 83%

    Closed Center

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

  4. #4 — Lil Tikes Playschool Center Score: 79%

    Lil Tikes Playschool Center is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, school, education. Website: http://www.liltikesdaycare.net/.

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

  5. #5 — East Mountain Center for Early Learning Score: 71%

    East Mountain Center for Early Learning is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.emcel.org/.

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

  6. #6 — The University of Scranton Early Learning Center Score: 69%

    The University of Scranton Early Learning Center is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, day care preschool, home service. Website:…

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

  7. #7 — Southside Head Start Score: 66%

    Southside Head Start is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: https://www.acenepa.org.

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

  8. #8 — S L H A Inc Headstart Score: 60%

    S L H A Inc Headstart is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool. Website: http://www.headstartslha.com.

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

  9. #9 — Carriage Barn Academy Score: 37%

    Carriage Barn Academy is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool.

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

  10. #10 — Montessori Preschool Score: 37%

    Montessori Preschool is a childcare center in Scranton, PA. Programs include Preschool, home service, day care preschool.

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. 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 Scranton?
South Scranton Headstart is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Scranton 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 Scranton?
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 Scranton?
Childcare costs in Scranton 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.