Among the top 100 childcare centers statewide — a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of licensed centers across Florida.
Most Compassionate
Earned the highest compassion score in Tampa. Captures how families describe staff empathy and the emotional environment.
Best Culture
Earned the highest culture score in Tampa. Captures community, inclusivity, staff morale, and the feeling families describe.
Full Ranking Detail
childcarepreschool
Sunrise Children's Services Inc is a long-standing non-profit preschool and childcare center operated by Sunrise Community (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay) at 1114 W Sligh Ave in Tampa's Old Seminole Heights neighborhood. Founded in 1953 and serving families for over 28 years at this location, it holds both NAC accreditation and Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care designation — among the highest dual-quality markers available for Florida childcare centers. The center's standout feature is its inclusive all-abilities model, where children with and without developmental disabilities learn together using The Creative Curriculum. Programs span infants (6 weeks) through school-age summer camp, with a free VPK option for 4–5 year-olds. The City of Tampa invested $585,687 in facility and inclusive playground upgrades, and the center was recognized as Best Child Care Agency in Tampa (33604) for 2025. DCF license C13HI0625 is active; NACECEP accreditation runs through August 2026. The main limitation is very low online visibility — no Google or Yelp ratings exist, making independent parent review data unavailable.
Safety8.0
Curriculum8.0
Art / Music6.0
Infant care7.0
Kindergarten readiness8.0
Teacher quality8.0
Compassion9.0
Management8.0
Culture9.0
Class sizes7.0
Extracurriculars8.0
Programs & curriculum
Curriculum & approach: Uses The Creative Curriculum, a project-based module supporting investigations in science and social studies while developing literacy, math, arts, and physical skills. Weekly individualized lesson plans respond to each child's learning style.
Programs & activities: Outdoor play, learning centers for literacy and math, science activities, art projects, and a summer camp (ages 5-8) featuring outdoor games, sports, and arts and crafts. Inclusive all-abilities learning environment.
What sets it apart: NAC-accredited and Gold Seal Quality Care Program designation. Limited to 10 children per room; serves ages 6 weeks to 8 years; over 28 years of experience serving typically developing children, children with developmental disabilities, and those at-risk for delays; accepts School Readiness, VPK, Gardiner Scholarship, and ChildCare Aware; free VPK morning program for eligible 4-5 year olds.
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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Most Compassionate
<!-- Recognition of Excellence: Sunrise Children's Services Inc -->
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<strong style="display:block;font-size:15px;color:#1A1A18;margin-bottom:5px;">Most Compassionate</strong>
<span style="font-size:13px;color:#4A4A46;line-height:1.5;">Earned the highest compassion score in Tampa. Captures how families describe staff empathy and the emotional environment.</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.
