Among the top 100 childcare centers statewide — a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of licensed centers across Florida.
Best Extracurriculars
Earned the highest extracurricular score in Tampa. Covers enrichment — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and more.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschool
Schaarai Zedek Preschool & Child Development Center is a long-established, Reform Jewish–affiliated provider at 3303 W Swann Ave in Tampa, serving children from 12 months through pre-K. Licensed since 1998 with capacity for 470 children, the center features an exceptionally favorable student-teacher ratio of approximately 1:1.4 and a rich STEAM-integrated curriculum combining centers-based learning with structured enrichment classes—soccer, yoga, gymnastics, tennis, dance, Spanish, and Kidokinetics—led by a dedicated music specialist across all age groups. Year-round operation, extended day options, and flexible scheduling support working families. The center maintains strong community engagement through an active Preschool Parents Association and welcomes families of all backgrounds. Notably, inspections in July 2025 and July 2023 resulted in documented violations, though the August 2025 inspection was violation-free; the absence of confirmed Gold Seal or NAEYC accreditation is a gap relative to higher-certified competitors.
Safety7.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music8.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness7.0
Teacher quality7.0
Compassion7.0
Management7.0
Culture8.0
Class sizes9.0
Extracurriculars9.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Child-centered, STEAM-focused curriculum with centers-based learning combining teacher-directed and child-initiated activities; uses Handwriting Without Tears for pre-literacy and integrates Jewish values, holidays, and customs as part of a Reform Judaism affiliation.
Programs & activities: Enrichment classes include soccer (HappyFeet), yoga (YoYo Yoga), gymnastics (Tumble in the Bus), Lego engineering, creative computing (Gigglebytes), and balance biking (ArtCycle); music and movement led by a specialist, plus dramatic play, art, and a lunch program.
What sets it apart: Year-round operation (June through May) with part-time, school day, and extended day options for ages 12 months through pre-K; lead teachers hold minimum CDA credentials, staff CPR/first-aid certified, and optimal student-to-teacher ratios emphasized; pre-K aligned with Florida Common Core standards.
Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
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Top 100 in Florida
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Top 100 in Florida</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Among the top 100 childcare centers statewide — a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of licensed centers across Florida.</span>
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Best Extracurriculars
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Schaarai Zedek Preschool & Child Development Center -->
<a href="https://creativemindsmontessori.com/US-wide-childcare-preschool-rankings/florida/major-cities/tampa/schaarai-zedek-preschool-amp-child-development-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:16px;padding:18px;background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #EDD97A;border-radius:10px;max-width:420px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;font-family:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;">
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Best Extracurriculars</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest extracurricular score in Tampa. Covers enrichment — languages, STEM, yoga, cooking, field trips, and more.</span>
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This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews and public records. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of verified parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically as new reviews are analyzed.
