Best Daycares in Washington, DC — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 40 daycares and childcare centers in Washington based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Washington

  1. #1 — Kennedy Child Development Center Score: 25/100

    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 →

  2. #2 — University For Kids Score: 22/100

    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 →

  3. #3 — University For Kids Score: 22/100

    University For Kids | Quality Child Care and Daycare Program in Capitol hill

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Jenkins Hill Child Development Center Score: 20/100

    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 →

  5. #5 — U.S. Kids Score: 20/100

    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 →

  6. #6 — Petit Scholar Score: 19/100

    Petit Scholars Capitol Hill

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  7. #7 — 2 New Heights Child Development Center Score: 19/100

    Child Care in Washington, DC

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Christian Tabernacle Child Development Center Score: 19/100

    Child Development Center

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Home Away From Home Child Development Center Score: 18/100

    Home Away From Home Child Development Center - Preschool & Childcare Center Serving Washington, DC

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  10. #10 — National Child Research Center Score: 17/100

    National Child Research Center

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  11. #11 — Love and Care Child Development Center Score: 17/100

    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 →

  12. #12 — Georgetown Preschool Score: 15/100

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

  13. #13 — Bambini Child Development and Spanish Immersion Score: 15/100

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

  14. #14 — Montessori School of Chevy Chase Score: 15/100

    Programs: Preschool, Private school, School. View full profile →

  15. #15 — Broad Branch Children's House Score: 15/100

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

  16. #16 — Palisades Montessori Score: 15/100

    Programs: Preschool, Home service, School. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Community Preschool of the Palisades Score: 15/100

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

  18. #18 — Little Red Playschool Score: 15/100

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

  19. #19 — Little Ivies DC Score: 15/100

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

  20. #20 — Hoya Kids Learning Center Score: 15/100

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

  21. #21 — Rosemount Center Score: 15/100

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

  22. #22 — St. John's Episcopal Preschool Score: 15/100

    Programs: Preschool, School, Home service. View full profile →

  23. #23 — Early Steps Bilingual Preschool Score: 15/100

    Programs: Preschool, Elementary school, Language school. View full profile →

  24. #24 — School For Friends Score: 15/100

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

  25. #25 — The Community Preschool of The Palisades Score: 14/100

    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 →

  26. #26 — Montessori School of Chevy Chase Score: 14/100

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/358960696. Type: montessori. Program signals: montessori. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: Montessori. View full profile →

  27. #27 — Sunshine Early Learning Center Score: 13/100

    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 →

  28. #28 — Military Road Early Learning Center Score: 11/100

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/1431804655. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: Azərbaycan, Bosanski, Català, Čeština, Cymraeg, Dansk, Deutsch, Eesti, English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Español (España), Español (Latinoamérica), Euskara, Filipino, Français (Canada), Français (France), Gaeilge, Galego, Hrvatski, Indonesia, IsiZulu, Íslenska, Italiano, Kiswahili, Latviešu, Lietuvių, Magyar, Melayu, Nederlands, Norsk. View full profile →

  29. #29 — Bright Horizons at Georgetown, DC Score: 11/100

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

  30. #30 — Kiddie Academy of D.C. - West End II Score: 11/100

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

How We Rank Daycares & Childcare Centers

Our Guide Score (0–100) 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%). Read our full methodology →

Browse Washington daycares by program

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Washington?
Kennedy 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 (0–100) combines Google rating (35%), review volume (20%), web and contact presence (20%), profile completeness (15%), accreditation (5%), press recognition (3%), and years of operation (2%). 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.