One of the first decisions many parents make (sometimes even before their child is born!) is where they’ll send their little ones to daycare. There are so many things to consider – proximity to work and home, waitlist time, tuition and fees…
Whether you’re just starting your search or in deep and overwhelmed by the choices, we’re here to help. We polled our readers and did our own research to find the very best childcare options in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
If you have others to add, please let us know in the comments!
Primrose School of Arlington
90% of brain development occurs by your child’s 5th birthday. Maximize potential with our Balanced Learning® approach. We are a private, accredited school offering education from 6 weeks to 6 years of age. Now enrolling for the Fall 2023 school year.
Learn more about the benefits of the Primrose curriculum by visiting our website and scheduling a tour, or email [email protected] for more information.
Ages: 0 – 5
Operating Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Student to Teacher Ratio: 4:1 ; 6:1 ; 10:1 depending on age group
Two Birds
Two Birds is a Reggio-inspired school for infants through pre-k. Our all inclusive and holistic approach to education supports the entire family through our spaces, services and community. In addition to full time weekday care, families have complimentary access to weekend programming and on-site coworking space.
At Two Birds, children explore and research the world around them while learning through interactions with teachers, classmates, and open-ended materials. Family engagement is highlighted through technology that enhances classroom documentation and through opportunities to experience children’s work during exhibitions and family events. Two Birds has locations in Tenleytown, West End, and Old Town.
Ages: Infants – Pre-K
Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM
Student to Teacher Ratio: Two Birds is staffed above the required ratio for each age group
2300 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
771.200.0495
Broadcasters Child Development Center
Broadcasters Child Development Center is a private, non-profit center located in Tenleytown, DC.
We provide a warm and supportive environment to help children grow and develop at their own pace. We value learning through play and our experienced staff plan opportunities that touch all curriculum areas.
BCDC is a welcoming community and family engagement and community building are keys to our success over the past 43 years. Our program operates year round from 8 am – 6 pm. Please join us for a tour!
Ages: 6 weeks – 5 years
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Student to Teacher Ratio: 1:4 (Infants & Toddlers), 1:5 (2 1/2 – 3 1/2 yrs), 1:6 (3 1/5 – 5 yrs)
4200 Wisconsin Ave NW
Suite LL-01
Washington, DC 20016
202.846.7672
Additional Excellent Childcare Providers in the DC Area
ABC Child Development Center, Inc. | Petworth
Bambini Play & Learn | Federal Triangle
Blandi’s Child Education Center | Brightwood Park
Bright Start Early Care & Preschool | 16th Street Heights
Broadcaster’s Child Development Center | Chevy Chase
Capital Kids DC | West End
CentroNia | Many locations
Creative Minds Childcare | Columbia Heights
Embassy Row Child Development Center | Cathedral Heights
Estrellitas Montessori School | 16th Street Heights
Everbrook Academy | Foggy Bottom & Dupont
Franklin Montessori | Cleveland Park
Ideal Care Child Development Center | Petworth
Kiddie Academy | West End
Kids’ Corner Day Care Center, Inc. | Kalorama
Kindercare | Many Locations
La Petite Academy | Pleasant Plains
Logan-Shaw Child Care | Shaw
MESAC Child Development Center | Columbia Heights & Cardozo
Milestones Enrichment Center | Chinatown
National Presbyterian Child Care Center | AU Park
Peaceful Play Center | Brightwood Park
Primrose Schools | The Parks
Semillitas Early Learning Center | Cardozo
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) | Federal Triangle
Soles Montessori | 16th Street Heights
St. Alban’s Early Childhood Center | Cathedral Heights
Tiny Findings | Penn Quarter
Two Birds | Tenleytown & West End
YMCA Early Learning | Cardozo, Foggy Bottom
Carmen’s Pride and Joy | Kingman Park
Community Educational Research Group | Lower Central & Deanwood
Educare DC | Mayfair
New Life Early Learning Centers | NoMA
Nido Nurturing Center | Brookland
Petite Scholars | Brookland & Bloomingdale
Kindercare | Yates Federal Building
The Britleys for Toddlers | Waterfront
The Goddard School of Washington DC (The Wharf) | The Wharf
The YMCA at The Children’s House at HUD by Reggio’s Treehouse | L’Enfant Plaza
Capitol Hill Childcare | Capitol Hill
Community Educational Research Group | Skyland
Jenkins Hill Child Development Center | Hill East
Thurgood Marshall Child Development Center | Union Station
Ambitious Angels Family Childcare | Capitol Heights
Becker Day Care, Inc. | Silver Spring
Bethesda Reggio | Bethesda
Bloom & Play Learning Center | Suitland
CentroNia | Takoma Park
Children’s Manor Montessori School | Rockville
Childtime | Many Locations
Creative Explorers Child Care Center | Gaithersburg
English Village Early Learning Center | Bethesda
Georgetown Hill Early School | Many locations
Goddard School of Bethesda | Bethesda
Green Hill Child Development Center | Silver Spring
Green Valley Montessori | Clarksburg
International Daycare of Bethesda | Bethesda
Kindercare | Many Locations
Kinderland Daycare | Gaithersburg
La Petite Academy | Many Locations
Li’l Village Child Learning Center | Gaithersburg & Motgomery Village
Little Miracles Childcare Center | Hyattsville
Loving 2 Learn Childcare Center | Hyattsville
Milestones Enrichment Center | Laurel
Montgomery Childcare Association | Many locations in Montgomery County
Precious Little Ones | Suitland
Primrose Schools | MD – Many Locations
Quality Time Learning Center | Silver Spring
Rising Generations Early Learning Center | Lanham & Largo
Soaring Eagles Daycare | Bowie
SSPC Children’s Center | Silver Spring
The Arc Montgomery County | Rockville
The Family Academy of Bethesda | Bethesda
Themba Childcare Center | Lanham
YMCA Early Learning | Bethesda & Silver Spring
American Day School | Alexandria
Arlington Children’s Center | Arlington
Arlington Early Learning Center | Arlington
Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP) | Arlington
Bright Horizons | Alexandria
Bright Horizons Skyline | Falls Church
C Care Preschool | Arlington
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool | Alexandria
Childtime | Many Locations
Congressional School | Falls Church
Country Woodland School | Springfield
Creative World Learning Centre | Alexandria & Annandale
Crystal City Children’s Center | Arlington
Discovery Time Learning Center | Alexandria
Everbrook Academy | Crystal City
First Baptist Church of Clarendon Child Development Center | Arlington
First Steps Academy | McLean
Flagstone School | Alexandria
Great Beginnings Early Learning Center | Alexandria
Hamdi’s Childcare | Lorton
Hopkins House | Alexandria
iSprout STEAM Academy | Arlington
Kiddie Academy | Alexandria
KinderCare | Many Locations
La Petite Academy | Many Locations
Little Wonders Playschool | Alexandria
Madison Day School | Alexandria
Nest Academy | Alexandria, Del Ray, Lorton
Primrose Schools | Many Locations
Rosslyn Children’s Center | Arlington
Springfield Academy | Alexandria, North Springfield
St. Anthony’s Day School | Alexandria
The Vine Preschool | Alexandria
Two Birds | Alexandria
UCM Early Learning Center | Alexandria
YMCA Early Learning | Alexandria & Reston
Children’s Manor Montessori School | MD – Rockville
Estrellitas Montessori School | NW DC – 16th Street Heights
Franklin Montessori | NW DC – Cleveland Park
Green Valley Montessori | MD – Clarksburg
Soles Montessori | NW DC – 16th Street Heights
The Britleys for Toddlers | SW DC – Waterfront
Bambini Play & Learn | NW DC – Federal Triangle
Bethesda Reggio | MD – Bethesda
CentroNia | NW DC – Many locations, MD – Takoma Park
Creative Explorers Child Care Center | MD – Gaithersburg
Estrellitas Montessori School | NW DC – 16th Street Heights
Kids’ Corner Day Care Center, Inc. | NW DC – Kalorama
Peaceful Play Center | NW DC – Brightwood Park
