Best Daycares in Washington, DC — 2026 Rankings
We ranked 50 daycares and childcare centers in Washington based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.
Top Daycares in Washington
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#1 — Jenkins Hill Child Development Center Score: 91%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142074. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#2 — ABC Child Development Center Score: 89%
ABC Child Development Center, Inc. - Day Care and Preschool Programs
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#3 — Christian Tabernacle Child Development Center Score: 89%
Child Development Center
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#4 — National Child Research Center Score: 88%
National Child Research Center
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#5 — Montessori School of Chevy Chase Score: 86%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/358960696. Type: montessori. Program signals: montessori. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
Programs: Montessori. View full profile →
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#6 — The Community Preschool of The Palisades Score: 86%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/358961943. Type: center-based. Program signals: preschool. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
Programs: Preschool. View full profile →
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#7 — Kennedy Child Development Center Score: 84%
Kennedy School
Programs: Community Companions, Community Options, Early Childhood Development, Kennedy School, Supported Employment, Care for Families and Children, Developmental Disabilities Services, Empowerment for Individuals, Food Services, Health Care Mental Health Services, Housing Shelter, Immigrant Refugee Services, Job Training Employment Services, Menu Close Clear Search Input Search Donate Now, Volunteer, Our Leadership, Culture and Belonging, Annual Report, Financials, Our Locations, Our Pledge to Donors, Updates Our Stories, In The News, Publications, Calendar Volunteer Activities, Donor Events, SHARE Food Network, Programs Services, Get Help Get Help Find Help By Location Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Md. View full profile →
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#8 — Sunshine Early Learning Center Score: 83%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367141484. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#9 — University For Kids Score: 80%
University for Kids H Street Child Care - formerly Kiddie University | Quality Child care and Daycare in Northeast and Southwest
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#10 — University For Kids Score: 80%
University For Kids | Quality Child Care and Daycare Program in Capitol hill
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#11 — Home Away From Home Child Development Center Score: 80%
Home Away From Home Child Development Center - Preschool & Childcare Center Serving Washington, DC
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#12 — Blandi Child Learning Center Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#13 — Palisades Montessori Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →
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#14 — Rosemount Center Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#15 — Phase Family Learning Center Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
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#16 — Meriam Academy Child Learning Center Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#17 — Lynn Carol's Academy of Early Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Day care preschool, Home service. View full profile →
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#18 — MindBloom Preschool Score: 77%
Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Home service. View full profile →
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#19 — Story Time Kids Score: 76%
Story Time Kids LLC | Quality childcare in DC | 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC, USA
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#20 — U.S. Kids Score: 74%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142142. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#21 — Easterseals Child Development Center Score: 74%
Child Development Centers | Easterseals Disability & Community Services
Programs: Child Development Center Silver Spring, Child Development Center DC, Child Development Center Falls Church, We Welcome Families Who Have Financial Need, We Love Children Who Have Disabilities!, Accessibility, History, Financials, People, Newsroom, Commitment to Opportunity, Service Locations Programs, Get Support Areas of Support Adult Services, Children s Services, Veteran Military Family Services, Caregiver Services, How We Work, Explore Resources Resources Library, Empowering Our Community to Health, Take Action Donate Now, Other Ways to Give, Volunteer, Attend an Event, Lend Your Voice, Careers, Get Support, Areas Of Support, Childrens Services, Child Development Centers, Schedule a Tour External Link. View full profile →
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#22 — Petit Scholar Score: 71%
Petit Scholars Capitol Hill
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#23 — 2 New Heights Child Development Center Score: 71%
Child Care in Washington, DC
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#24 — Montessori School of Chevy Chase Score: 71%
Programs: Preschool, Private school, School. View full profile →
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#25 — School For Friends Score: 71%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Day care preschool. View full profile →
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#26 — Home Away From Home Child Development Center Score: 69%
Home Away From Home Child Development Center - Preschool & Childcare Center Serving Washington, DC
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#27 — Kids Are Us Learning Center Score: 69%
Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367141266. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#28 — Love and Care Child Development Center Score: 68%
Love & Care Child Development Center – Day Care / Infant Care / Child Care – Washington DC – Serving Families in District of Columbia since 1999
Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →
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#29 — Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool Score: 63%
Programs: Preschool, Home service, Elementary school. View full profile →
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#30 — Little Flower Montessori School Score: 63%
Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. 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 Washington daycares by program
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the #1 daycare in Washington?
- Jenkins Hill Child Development Center is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Washington 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 Washington?
- 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 Washington?
- Childcare costs in Washington 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.