Amherst, OH · Lorain · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Amherst, Ohio

Amherst earned its distinction as the Sandstone Capital of the World, with its quarries beginning operations in the 1840s and eventually becoming the largest sandstone producers on the planet by the late 1800s. The town's prized sandstone was used in iconic structures including the Ohio Statehouse and the Cleveland Courthouse, and during the Civil War supplied essential grindstones for the Union Army. From the 1950s onward, Amherst sandstone became crucial to the American steel industry, with the Cleveland Quarries Company supplying three-fourths of U.S. steel manufacturers with the specialized stone needed for furnace and ladle linings. We analyzed all 5 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Amherst, 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.

5Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
12,161City population
Sort by
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Brilliant Start Academy
901 Liberty Bell Drive, Amherst, OH 44001
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.3/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
5
Infant care
6
K-ready
6
Teachers
8
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
  • Free preschool included with paid daycare enrollment — strong educational value
  • Parent monitoring cameras in every classroom — above-average transparency
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

Considerations

  • Some reviewers reported concerns about facility upkeep and delays in billing, though these accounts are not reflected in the center's Ohio state licensing record.
2
Childtime Learning Center
7684 Leavitt Road, Amherst, OH 44001
★ 2.3 (3 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Silver
6.0/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
7
Compassion
6
Mgmt
7
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Silver -- recognized quality program
  • Part of Learning Care Group national network with structured curriculum and educational programming

Considerations

    3
    Saint Paul Lutheran Preschool
    115 Central Drive, Amherst, OH 44001
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: NR
    5.8/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    6
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    6
    Compassion
    7
    Mgmt
    5
    Culture
    7
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • LCMS Lutheran faith-based preschool — Christian values integrated into early learning
    • Established church-based program with 43-student enrollment serving Amherst families

    Considerations

      4
      St Peter'S United Church Of Christ Preschool
      582 Church St, Amherst, OH 44001
      Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: NR
      5.8/ 10
      Safety
      5
      Curriculum
      6
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      5
      K-ready
      6
      Teachers
      6
      Compassion
      7
      Mgmt
      5
      Culture
      7
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      6

      Strengths

      • United Church of Christ faith-based preschool — nurturing, values-centered early learning environment
      • Church-based program serving Amherst families with early childhood education

      Considerations

        5
        Country Day School, Inc.
        45960 North Ridge Rd., Amherst, OH 44001
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Bronze
        5.6/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        6
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        6
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        5
        Culture
        6
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Large-capacity center (144 children) serving ages 6 weeks through 12 years
        • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

        Considerations

          No centers match this filter.

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          Recognition of Excellence · Amherst, OH · 2026
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