Best Daycares in Washington DC, DC — 2026 Rankings

We ranked 27 daycares and childcare centers in Washington DC based on licensing, accreditation, parent reviews, and childcare quality.

Top Daycares in Washington DC

  1. #1 — Palisades Montessori Score: 100%

    Palisades Montessori - Learning and Growing with the Neighborhood Since 1984

    Programs: Montessori. View full profile →

  2. #2 — Wee World Score: 98%

    Wee World Early Childhood Academy Multilingual Programs

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  3. #3 — Sparkles Score: 97%

    Sparkles Early Learning Academy - Helping Parents Build Tomorrow's Leaders

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  4. #4 — Spring Valley Montessori Academy Score: 92%

    Spring Valley Montessori Academy

    Programs: Montessori. View full profile →

  5. #5 — 18th Street Early Learning Child Development Center Score: 91%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142151. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  6. #6 — CentroNía Day Care Center Score: 91%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367141967. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: Follow us on Social Media, Our People, Our Financials, Careers, Our Locations DC Locations, Maryland Locations, Programs Services Enrollment, Early Childhood Education, Early Head Start, Extended Day, Food Wellness, Catering Services, CentroNía Institute, Resources Parent Portal, Employee Portal, In The Media, Get Involved Donate, Partner, Programs Services Early Childhood Education, Follow, Manage options, Manage services, Manage {vendor Count} vendors, {title}. View full profile →

  7. #7 — Bright Start Early Care and Preschool (Kennedy) Score: 89%

    Bright Start Early Care & Preschool - Preschool & Childcare Center Serving Washington, DC

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  8. #8 — Chevy Chase Baptist Church Childrens Center Score: 87%

    CCBC Children's Center - Chevy Chase Bethesda Community Children's Center

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  9. #9 — Saint Timothy's Child Development Center Score: 87%

    St. Timothys Episcopal Child Development Center is an early childhood program that provide care and education for children ages 3 months - 12 yrs old.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  10. #10 — World Bank Group Children’s Center (I Building Site) Score: 86%

    World Bank Group Family & Child Care Benefits

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  11. #11 — World Bank Group Children’s Center (International Square Site) Score: 86%

    World Bank Group Family & Child Care Benefits

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  12. #12 — Metropolitan Methodist Church Nursery School Score: 81%

    Metropolitan Nursery School

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  13. #13 — KU Kids Deanwood Score: 80%

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

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  14. #14 — Paramount Baptist Church Child Development Center Score: 75%

    Child Care Center in Washington, District of Columbia

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  15. #15 — Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Child Development Center Score: 74%

    Child Development Center

    Programs: WELCOME, About, Center Philosophy, Center Goal, Contact Us, A Mopro Website. View full profile →

  16. #16 — Rehoboth Baptist Church Child Development Center Score: 73%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142013. Type: faith-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  17. #17 — Emergent Preparatory Academy Score: 71%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142031. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  18. #18 — The Learning Curve Score: 69%

    The Learning Curve CDC

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  19. #19 — Kids Are Us Learning Center Score: 69%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367141264. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  20. #20 — The Learning Curve Score: 69%

    The Learning Curve CDC

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  21. #21 — Pilgrim Baptist Church Child Development Center Score: 69%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/367142019. Type: faith-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: First Lady, Leadership, Visitor Membership Information Form, Youth PBC Kids, Live, Give Tools for Schools, News Food Assistance Resources, Calendar, PBCEvents Anniversary Brunch Boat Ride, More.... View full profile →

  22. #22 — Primrose School at The Parks DC Score: 69%

    Programs: Preschool. View full profile →

  23. #23 — New Creation Child Development Center Score: 64%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution way/55328529. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  24. #24 — Growth Spurts Child Learning Center Score: 63%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/11761510961. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  25. #25 — iGen Educational Academy Score: 60%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/807375703. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, website, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  26. #26 — Ana's Kids Score: 34%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/12456012849. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. View full profile →

  27. #27 — Adventureland Day Nursery Score: 34%

    Childcare center listed from OpenStreetMap contribution node/13179514797. Type: center-based. No program signal in source. Verified fields: name, phone, address.

    Programs: General Childcare. 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 DC daycares by program

Frequently asked questions

Who is the #1 daycare in Washington DC?
Palisades Montessori is currently the #1 ranked daycare in Washington DC 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 DC?
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 DC?
Childcare costs in Washington DC 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.