Kent, OH · Portage · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Kent, Ohio

Kent earned its "Tree City" nickname from the headquarters of the Davey Tree Expert Company, which has called Kent home since its 1909 incorporation, making arboriculture a defining part of the city's identity. As the home of Kent State University, founded in 1910 and now the city's largest employer, Kent transformed into a vibrant college town that pioneered liquid crystal technology research. This Cuyahoga River city also holds significant place in American history as the site of the May 4, 1970 Kent State shootings, a pivotal moment in Vietnam War-era protests that earned the location National Historic Landmark status in 2016. We analyzed all 12 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Kent, scoring each across 11 real dimensions from parent reviews and public records. No marketing copy — just what real families reported. We scored each Ohio-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

11Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
29,039City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Tiny Town Childcare And Learning Center
1145 Lake Street, Kent, OH 44240
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.8/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Gold SUTQ rating; highest Ohio quality designation
  • Uses Creative Curriculum with a kinder prep focus; faith-infused learning with prayer, Bible stories, and Christian values woven into each day
  • Family-owned, established 2007; serves 6 weeks through 12 years across five Ohio locations
  • All-inclusive meals through CACFP/State Food Program; free educational field trips; daily parent communication via Brightwheel app
  • Security features: locked entry, cameras, CPR-trained staff; extended hours 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM (M-F)
  • Parents report caring teachers and children who love attending; one called it the best daycare in Kent

Considerations

  • Employee reviews on Indeed (3.8/5 from 13 reviews) flag chronic understaffing, high turnover, and non-working kitchen equipment
  • Parent complaints include children not receiving meals as promised, transportation services cancelled without notice, and families dismissed without advance warning
  • Indeed reviewers note low pay and poor work-life balance — indicators of potential staffing instability
  • Capacity of 40 is relatively small for a center serving 6 weeks through 12 years; may limit availability
2
Kent State University Child Development Center
775 Loop Road (Ksu), Kent, OH 44242
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.6/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
9
Compassion
6
Mgmt
9
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold (5-Star) — highest quality designation
  • University-affiliated center with research and professional preparation mission
  • Open to KSU students, faculty, staff, and the greater Kent community
  • Children benefit from evidence-based practices from early childhood research
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

Considerations

    3
    Kids Kare Kent Campus
    1435 E. Main St, Kent, OH 44240
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Gold
    6.5/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    8
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    8
    Compassion
    8
    Mgmt
    8
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
    • 100% parent recommendation rate from Facebook-reviewed families
    • Serves infants through school age with flexible scheduling
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

    Considerations

      4
      Story Book House
      1639 St. Clair Ave., Kent, OH 44240
      Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: Gold
      6.5/ 10
      Safety
      5
      Curriculum
      8
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      5
      K-ready
      6
      Teachers
      8
      Compassion
      8
      Mgmt
      8
      Culture
      6
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      6

      Strengths

      • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
      • A+ Better Business Bureau rating — trusted community childcare
      • Uses Creative Curriculum across all classrooms for structured learning
      • Comprehensive care: infants through 5th grade, plus summer camp
      • Staff praised for courtesy and genuine concern for children's wellbeing

      Considerations

        5
        Portage Learning Centers - K
        200 N. Mantua Street, Kent, OH 44240
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Gold
        6.3/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        8
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        8
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        8
        Culture
        6
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
        • Head Start and Early Head Start: no-cost programs for income-eligible families
        • Serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from the greater Portage County community
        • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

        Considerations

          6
          Kpr Kidz Club At Kent Recreation Center
          1115 Franklin Avenue, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          6.2/ 10
          Safety
          6
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          7
          Infant care
          0
          K-ready
          0
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          6
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          7

          Strengths

          • City-operated before/after school program for K-6th graders at the Kent Recreation Center (1115 Franklin Ave)
          • Broad enrichment menu: arts and crafts, STEAM, performing arts, team building, community service, mindfulness, and sports
          • Homework help and reading/brain games included alongside outdoor play and snacks
          • County vouchers accepted; flexible daily drop-in rates available in addition to weekly rates
          • Affordable pricing: residents pay /wk after school or /wk combined before and after

          Considerations

          • No SUTQ rating; quality unverified by state evaluation framework
          • School-age only (K-6); not suitable for preschoolers, toddlers, or infants
          7
          Kpr Kidz Club At Davey Elementary
          196 N. Prospect St, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          6.2/ 10
          Safety
          6
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          7
          Infant care
          0
          K-ready
          0
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          6
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          7

          Strengths

          • School-sited before/after care at Davey Elementary (196 N. Prospect St.) for K-6th graders in Kent City Schools
          • Rich activity mix: arts and crafts, STEAM, performing arts, team building, community service, mindfulness, and sports
          • Homework help, outdoor play, and snacks provided in a structured but flexible after-school routine
          • County vouchers accepted; daily drop-in rates available alongside weekly enrollment
          • Convenient on-site location means no transportation gap for Davey Elementary students

          Considerations

          • No SUTQ rating; quality unverified by state evaluation framework
          • School-age only (K-6); not suitable for preschoolers, toddlers, or infants
          8
          Looking Glass Learning Center
          1393 Mogadore Rd, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          6.2/ 10
          Safety
          6
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          6
          Infant care
          7
          K-ready
          6
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          7
          Mgmt
          6
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • Serves children 6 weeks through 12 years across infants, junior toddlers, toddlers, preschool, and pre-K classrooms
          • Owner/Director Jenny Adams leads the Kent location; owner-operated model with accessible leadership
          • Two convenient locations (Kent and Brimfield); extended hours 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
          • Research-based curriculum fostering early literacy and pre-academic skills; meals included in tuition
          • Facebook shows 94% recommendation rate from 27 reviews; one parent cited immediate growth in communication and social skills after just one day
          • BBB A+ rating

          Considerations

          • No SUTQ rating; quality unverified by state evaluation framework
          • At least one negative review describes staff as not caring about children; no way to independently weight this against positive reviews
          • No reviews on daycare.com or Care.com; limited third-party review volume makes patterns hard to assess
          9
          Just Like Home Day Care
          3580 State Route 43, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          5.8/ 10
          Safety
          5
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          5
          Infant care
          6
          K-ready
          0
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          7
          Mgmt
          5
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • Owned and operated by The Hill Church; mission is a safe, fun environment that values each child as an individual
          • One parent review praises caring staff: My daughter loves everyone there - employees are nice and caring for each child
          • Licensed since 1997; serves infants through school age with full-time care, after-school programs, and transportation
          • Extended hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM; capacity 73 children

          Considerations

          • No SUTQ rating; quality unverified by state evaluation framework
          • Annual inspection history shows Partially Compliant findings in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 (each fully addressed after follow-up)
          • Website SSL error at time of research; limited current program information available online
          10
          Kpr Lil' Learners Preschool
          601 Middlebury Rd, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          5.8/ 10
          Safety
          6
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          6
          Infant care
          0
          K-ready
          6
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          5
          Culture
          5
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • City-operated preschool run by Kent Parks & Recreation; state licensed and meets Ohio Pre-K standards
          • Serves ages 3-5 with a curriculum focused on healthy, happy, and safe learning with positive guidance and nurturing supervision
          • Affordable rates: $81/week resident, $91/week non-resident; sibling discounts available
          • Part-time schedule (Mon-Thu 9 AM-12:30 PM) suits families needing morning-only preschool
          • Classes held at Roy Smith Shelterhouse in the heart of the Kent parks system

          Considerations

          • No SUTQ rating; quality unverified by state evaluation framework
          • No online registration; phone or in-person enrollment only during limited office hours
          • Half-day schedule only; not suitable for families needing full-day or infant/toddler care
          11
          Tree City Preschool
          1435 E Main St, Kent, OH 44240
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          5.6/ 10
          Safety
          5
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          5
          Infant care
          5
          K-ready
          5
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          6
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: NR — recognized quality program
          • Serving the Kent community for over 50 years — long-established trusted program
          • Ministry of United Methodist Church of Kent — faith-based preschool environment
          • Project-based learning for ages 2.5-5; follows Kent City School calendar

          Considerations

            No centers match this filter.

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            Recognition of Excellence · Kent, OH · 2026
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