Major Ohio Cities · Ohio Childcare Rankings

Childcare Rankings
Major Ohio Cities

Ohio's major cities—Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, and Youngstown among them—anchored America's industrial heartland for over a century, earning monikers like the Rubber Capital (Akron), the Glass City (Toledo), and the Invention Capital (Dayton). Once the nation's manufacturing engine, these cities shifted dramatically after the steel mills and factories that defined them declined in the 1970s and 80s, but they've since pioneered new identities in healthcare, technology, and culture while preserving their blue-collar heritage and community resilience. All Major Ohio Cities licensed childcare centers ranked across 11 dimensions — safety, curriculum, teacher quality, infant care, and more. Based on real parent reviews.

250Cities covered
1300Centers ranked
11Dimensions scored
Browse all cities ↓
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Pick your cityBrowse all Major Ohio Cities cities below
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Sort by what mattersSafety, curriculum, teachers & 8 more
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Shortlist 3 to visitTour in person & trust your instincts

Why this resource exists

Finding the right childcare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent.

It’s also one of the most overwhelming. Every center has a website that looks warm and welcoming. Star ratings on public platforms can be gamed or sparse. And no two reviews seem to agree. You end up spending hours on major public review platforms — and still feel like you’re guessing.

For each city, we aggregated reviews from major public review platforms and parent community forums. We cross-referenced Ohio ODJFS / Department of Children and Youth (DCY) licensing data, inspection histories, and capacity records. Then we scored every center across 11 dimensions — an editorial synthesis that reflects what parents actually experience day to day.

This resource is independent. No center paid to appear or improve their score. Rankings reflect our honest synthesis of public data and parent reviews. The goal: help every Major Ohio Cities family find a place where their child genuinely thrives.

Nothing replaces visiting a center in person. But having a well-researched starting point means you walk into those tours asking the right questions and spending your time on the centers most likely to be a great fit.

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Read the full Methodology & Approach How we score each dimension, which sources we use, and what our rankings can’t tell you.
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All Major Ohio Cities Cities
Youngstown Live
Mahoning
42 centers ranked
Warren Live
Trumbull
27 centers ranked
Niles Live
Trumbull
4 centers ranked
Boardman Live
Mahoning
16 centers ranked
Austintown Live
Mahoning
5 centers ranked
Canfield Live
Mahoning
9 centers ranked
Springfield Live
Clark
30 centers ranked
Urbana Live
Champaign
6 centers ranked
Lima Live
Allen
33 centers ranked
Zanesville Live
Muskingum
22 centers ranked
Mansfield Live
Richland
21 centers ranked
Ashland Live
Ashland
9 centers ranked
Galion Live
Crawford
4 centers ranked
Chillicothe Live
Ross
14 centers ranked
Portsmouth Live
Scioto
9 centers ranked
Jackson Live
Jackson
4 centers ranked
Athens Live
Athens
9 centers ranked
Marietta Live
Washington
11 centers ranked
Cambridge Live
Guernsey
5 centers ranked
Ashtabula Live
Ashtabula
16 centers ranked
Conneaut Live
Ashtabula
3 centers ranked
Sandusky Live
Erie
8 centers ranked
Norwalk Live
Huron
6 centers ranked
Tiffin Live
Seneca
7 centers ranked
Marion Live
Marion
10 centers ranked
Bellefontaine Live
Logan
5 centers ranked
Celina Live
Mercer
4 centers ranked
Van Wert Live
Van Wert
3 centers ranked
Kenton Live
Hardin
4 centers ranked
Ironton Live
Lawrence
3 centers ranked
Adena, Steubenville & Toronto Live
Jefferson
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Adena, Steubenville, Toronto
Wellsville Live
Columbiana
3 centers ranked
Eaton Live
Preble
7 centers ranked
Wyoming Live
Hamilton
7 centers ranked
Eastlake Live
Lake
7 centers ranked
Geneva Live
Ashtabula
9 centers ranked
Jefferson Live
Ashtabula
4 centers ranked
Uniontown Live
Summit
10 centers ranked
Bedford Live
Cuyahoga
9 centers ranked
Waverly Live
Pike
5 centers ranked
Liberty Twp Live
Butler
6 centers ranked
Lewis Center Live
Delaware
20 centers ranked
Campbell Live
Mahoning
4 centers ranked
Hubbard Live
Trumbull
9 centers ranked
Newton Falls Live
Trumbull
3 centers ranked
Cortland Live
Trumbull
4 centers ranked
Galloway Live
Franklin
12 centers ranked
Ravenna Live
Portage
9 centers ranked
Willowick Live
Lake
8 centers ranked
Yellow Springs Live
Greene
3 centers ranked
Sidney Live
Shelby
6 centers ranked
Ashville Live
Pickaway
7 centers ranked
North Randall Live
Cuyahoga
6 centers ranked
Chagrin Falls Live
Geauga
10 centers ranked
Barnesville Live
Belmont
4 centers ranked
Bellbrook Live
Greene
4 centers ranked
Belpre Live
Washington
7 centers ranked
Richfield Live
Summit
4 centers ranked
Ada Live
Hardin
3 centers ranked
Kirtland Live
Lake
3 centers ranked
Arcanum Live
Darke
5 centers ranked
Carroll Live
Fairfield
6 centers ranked
Bluffton Live
Allen
6 centers ranked
Bolivar Live
Tuscarawas
5 centers ranked
Chesapeake Live
Lawrence
3 centers ranked
Maple Hts Live
Cuyahoga
5 centers ranked
Garfield Hts Live
Cuyahoga
7 centers ranked
Maineville Live
Warren
9 centers ranked
Warrensville Heights Live
Cuyahoga
6 centers ranked
Brookville Live
Montgomery
3 centers ranked
Bryan Live
Williams
6 centers ranked
Columbiana Live
Columbiana
3 centers ranked
Cleveland Hts Live
Cuyahoga
16 centers ranked
Aberdeen Live
Brown
1 centers ranked
Coldwater & St Henry Live
Mercer
3 centers ranked
Bainbridge, Clarksburg & Frankfort Live
Ross
5 centers ranked
Also covers: Bainbridge, Clarksburg, Frankfort
Delta & Swanton Live
Fulton
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Delta, Swanton
Arlington, Mccomb & Mt Blanchard Live
Hancock
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Arlington, Mccomb, Mt Blanchard
Mcdermott & Sciotoville & New Boston Live
Scioto
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Mcdermott & Sciotoville, New Boston
Pemberville & Stony Ridge Live
Wood
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Pemberville, Stony Ridge
Creston & Dalton Live
Wayne
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Creston, Dalton
Middleport & Reedsville Live
Meigs
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Middleport, Reedsville
Miller City & Pandora Live
Putnam
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Miller City, Pandora
Glenmont & Millersburg Live
Holmes
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Glenmont, Millersburg
Carey Live
Wyandot
1 centers ranked
Hebron & Kirkersville & Patasktala Live
Licking
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Hebron & Kirkersville, Patasktala
Caldwell & Sarahsville Live
Noble
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Caldwell, Sarahsville
Canal Fulton Live
Stark
6 centers ranked
Wheelersburg Live
Scioto
4 centers ranked
Shaker Heights Live
Cuyahoga
25 centers ranked
Orrville Live
Wayne
10 centers ranked
West Liberty Live
Logan
4 centers ranked
Chesterland Live
Geauga
6 centers ranked
Felicity Live
Clermont
6 centers ranked
Minster Live
Auglaize
3 centers ranked
Archbold Live
Fulton
5 centers ranked
Baltimore Live
Fairfield
3 centers ranked
Columbia Statio Live
Lorain
4 centers ranked
Rootstown Live
Portage
3 centers ranked
Liberty Township Live
Butler
6 centers ranked
West Milton Live
Miami
4 centers ranked
Wapakoneta Live
Auglaize
6 centers ranked
Coshocton Live
Coshocton
8 centers ranked
Saint Clairsville Live
Belmont
6 centers ranked
Warrensville Hts Live
Cuyahoga
4 centers ranked
Canal Wincheste Live
Franklin
9 centers ranked
Vermilion Live
Erie
4 centers ranked
Dover Live
Tuscarawas
4 centers ranked
Brooklyn Live
Cuyahoga
4 centers ranked
Plain City Live
Union
5 centers ranked
Lisbon Live
Columbiana
5 centers ranked
Wickliffe Live
Lake
4 centers ranked
Madison Live
Lake
4 centers ranked
East Liverpool Live
Columbiana
3 centers ranked
Blacklick Live
Franklin
4 centers ranked
Byesville Live
Guernsey
4 centers ranked
Anna & Botkins Live
Shelby
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Anna, Botkins
Carlisle, Wayne & Wayneville Live
Warren
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Carlisle, Wayne, Wayneville
Beavercreek Township & Cedarville & Jamestown Live
Greene
4 centers ranked
Centerburg & Mt Vernon Live
Knox
3 centers ranked
Mechanicsburg & St Paris Live
Champaign
3 centers ranked
Maria Stein Live
Mercer
2 centers ranked
London City, Mt Sterling & West Jefferson Live
Madison
3 centers ranked
Also covers: London City, Mt Sterling, West Jefferson
Butler Live
Richland
1 centers ranked
Clarksville Live
Clinton
1 centers ranked
Latham & Piketon Live
Pike
2 centers ranked
New London & Wakeman Live
Huron
2 centers ranked
Also covers: New London, Wakeman
Corning, Junction City & New Lexington & Thornville Live
Perry
5 centers ranked
Also covers: Corning, Junction City, New Lexington & Thornville
Bradford & Greenville & Union City Live
Darke
5 centers ranked
Cin & Cincinati & Newtown Live
Hamilton
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Cin & Cincinati, Newtown
Crestline Live
Crawford
1 centers ranked
Manchester, Peebles & West Union Live
Adams
5 centers ranked
Also covers: Manchester, Peebles, West Union
Frazeysburg & Norwich Live
Muskingum
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Frazeysburg, Norwich
Oberlin Live
Lorain
6 centers ranked
Bellevue Live
Sandusky
4 centers ranked
Shelby Live
Richland
5 centers ranked
Greenfield Live
Highland
3 centers ranked
Salem Live
Columbiana
7 centers ranked
Germantown Live
Montgomery
3 centers ranked
Genoa Live
Ottawa
3 centers ranked
Clyde Live
Sandusky
3 centers ranked
Port Clinton Live
Ottawa
3 centers ranked
Tipp City Live
Miami
8 centers ranked
Franklin Live
Warren
5 centers ranked
Bucyrus Live
Crawford
4 centers ranked
Grafton Live
Lorain
3 centers ranked
Mt Orab Live
Brown
6 centers ranked
Hillsboro Live
Highland
4 centers ranked
Upper Sandusky Live
Wyandot
4 centers ranked
Mcdonald Live
Trumbull
3 centers ranked
Willard Live
Huron
3 centers ranked
Richmond Heights Live
Cuyahoga
6 centers ranked
Independence Live
Cuyahoga
4 centers ranked
Seville Live
Medina
3 centers ranked
Wintersville Live
Jefferson
5 centers ranked
Macedonia Live
Summit
8 centers ranked
Franklin Furnace & Lucasville & Minford Live
Scioto
4 centers ranked
Jeffersonville & Wash C H & Washington Ch Live
Fayette
3 centers ranked
Faifield & Hamiliton & Ross Live
Butler
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Faifield & Hamiliton, Ross
Albany & Stewart & The Plains Live
Athens
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Albany & Stewart, The Plains
Castalia Live
Erie
1 centers ranked
Lake Milton, North Jackson & Poland Live
Mahoning
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Lake Milton, North Jackson, Poland
New Philadelphia & Uhrichsville Live
Tuscarawas
4 centers ranked
Also covers: New Philadelphia, Uhrichsville
Bellaire & Flushing, Martins Ferry & Shadyside Live
Belmont
5 centers ranked
Also covers: Bellaire & Flushing, Martins Ferry, Shadyside
Commercial Poin & Williamsport, Commerial Point & South Bloomfield Live
Pickaway
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Commercial Poin & Williamsport, Commerial Point, South Bloomfield
Forest Live
Hardin
2 centers ranked
Fredericktown & Gambier Live
Knox
3 centers ranked
Gallipolis & Rio Grande Live
Gallia
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Gallipolis, Rio Grande
Duncan Falls & New Concord Live
Muskingum
3 centers ranked
Burton & Huntsburg & Thompson Live
Geauga
4 centers ranked
Berkey & Toeldo & Whitehouse Live
Lucas
5 centers ranked
Enon & New Carlisle Live
Clark
3 centers ranked
Concord Twnshp & Concord Twp & Perry & Willougby Hills Live
Lake
5 centers ranked
Colubus & Reynoldburg Live
Franklin
3 centers ranked
Carrollton & Malvern Live
Carroll
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Carrollton, Malvern
Grand Rapids & Millbury & Northwood Live
Wood
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Grand Rapids & Millbury, Northwood
Attica & Bloomville Live
Seneca
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Attica, Bloomville
Cleves & Evendale Live
Hamilton
3 centers ranked
Jewett Live
Harrison
1 centers ranked
Garrettsville Live
Portage
1 centers ranked
Madeira Live
Hamilton
7 centers ranked
Northfield Live
Summit
7 centers ranked
Lyndhurst Live
Cuyahoga
15 centers ranked
Doylestown Live
Wayne
3 centers ranked
Nelsonville Live
Athens
5 centers ranked
Copley Live
Summit
3 centers ranked
South Point Live
Lawrence
6 centers ranked
Lexington Live
Richland
5 centers ranked
Proctorville Live
Lawrence
3 centers ranked
Lagrange Live
Lorain
6 centers ranked
Utica Live
Licking
6 centers ranked
Logan Live
Hocking
4 centers ranked
Milan Live
Erie
4 centers ranked
Montpelier Live
Williams
3 centers ranked
Loudonville Live
Ashland
4 centers ranked
Ottawa Live
Putnam
7 centers ranked
Navarre Live
Stark
5 centers ranked
Mcarthur Live
Vinton
1 centers ranked
Marengo & Mt Gilead Live
Morrow
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Marengo, Mt Gilead
Elmore & Oak Harbor Live
Ottawa
4 centers ranked
Kingsville & Williamsfield Live
Ashtabula
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Kingsville, Williamsfield
Danville Live
Knox
1 centers ranked
Liberty Townshp & Liberty Twnsp Live
Butler
3 centers ranked
Gibsonburg & Kansas Live
Sandusky
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Gibsonburg, Kansas
Caledonia & Prospect & Larue Live
Marion
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Caledonia & Prospect, Larue
Lodi & Westfield Cntr Live
Medina
3 centers ranked
Canalwinchester & Coumbus & Grovecity Live
Franklin
3 centers ranked
Lithopolis & Pleasantville & Millersport Live
Fairfield
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Lithopolis & Pleasantville, Millersport
Wellston Live
Jackson
1 centers ranked
Little Hocking & New Matamoras & Vincent Live
Washington
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Little Hocking & New Matamoras, Vincent
Concord Twsp & Willoughbyhills, Painesvillie & Willoughby Hill Live
Lake
4 centers ranked
Also covers: Concord Twsp & Willoughbyhills, Painesvillie, Willoughby Hill
Paulding & Scott Live
Paulding
3 centers ranked
New Knoxville & Russia Live
Shelby
2 centers ranked
Also covers: New Knoxville, Russia
Waynesfield Live
Auglaize
1 centers ranked
North Lewisburg & Westville Live
Champaign
3 centers ranked
Also covers: North Lewisburg, Westville
Malta & Stockport & Mcconnelsville Live
Morgan
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Malta & Stockport, Mcconnelsville
Bainbridge Twsp, Chester Twp & Novelty Live
Geauga
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Bainbridge Twsp, Chester Twp, Novelty
Medway Live
Clark
1 centers ranked
Parma Hts Live
Cuyahoga
12 centers ranked
South Lebanon Live
Warren
4 centers ranked
Strongville Live
Cuyahoga
3 centers ranked
Struthers Live
Mahoning
7 centers ranked
Monclova Live
Lucas
1 centers ranked
Gnadenhutten & Newcomerstown & Strasburg Live
Tuscarawas
5 centers ranked
Atwater & Mantua Live
Portage
3 centers ranked
New Bremen & Saint Marys Live
Auglaize
4 centers ranked
Delphos & Elida Live
Allen
2 centers ranked
New Richmond Live
Clermont
1 centers ranked
Cincinaati & Cincinatti & Lincoln Heights & Northbend Live
Hamilton
4 centers ranked
Hicksville Live
Defiance
1 centers ranked
Smithville & Sterling Live
Wayne
3 centers ranked
Lewisburg & West Alexandria & Lewisburg Oh Live
Preble
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Lewisburg & West Alexandria, Lewisburg Oh
W Carrollton & Washington Township Live
Montgomery
2 centers ranked
Also covers: W Carrollton, Washington Township
Richwood Live
Union
1 centers ranked
Beavervreek & Fairbron Live
Greene
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Beavervreek, Fairbron
Munroe Falls & Northfield Cent & Sagamore Hills & Silver Lake Live
Summit
6 centers ranked
Brunswick Hills & Valley City Live
Medina
2 centers ranked
Washington C H & Washington Courthouse Live
Fayette
3 centers ranked
Also covers: Washington C H, Washington Courthouse
Deshler & Holgate & Liberty Center Live
Henry
3 centers ranked
E Liverpool & Leetonia & Salineville Live
Columbiana
4 centers ranked
Sardis & Woodsfield Live
Monroe
2 centers ranked
Also covers: Sardis, Woodsfield
Glandorf & Leipsic & Ottoville Live
Putnam
3 centers ranked
Martin Live
Ottawa
1 centers ranked
Sullivan Live
Ashland
1 centers ranked
Fostoria Live
Hancock
5 centers ranked
Clevland & Highland Hghts & Pepper Pike & Warrensville Height Live
Cuyahoga
5 centers ranked
North Ridgevill Live
Lorain
1 centers ranked
Grandview Heights & Lockbourne Live
Franklin
2 centers ranked
New Waterford & Winona Live
Columbiana
2 centers ranked
Ashley & Ostrander Live
Delaware
2 centers ranked

Our commitment to parents

We built this because you deserve better than a star rating and a hunch.

We’ve watched parents make childcare decisions based on a single online review, a neighbor’s recommendation, or a slick website — and then discover six months in that the center wasn’t the right fit. The stress, the disruption, the guilt. It’s avoidable. This is a living resource, not a one-time snapshot.

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Multi-source research

Every center assessed across major public review platforms, Ohio ODJFS/DCY licensing records, and parent community forums.

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No paid placements

No center paid to appear, rank higher, or receive a better score. Rankings reflect honest editorial synthesis — nothing else.

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11 scored dimensions

Safety, curriculum, arts, infant care, K-readiness, teachers, compassion, management, culture, class size, and extracurriculars.

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Visit still comes first

Our rankings give you a researched shortlist. The real decision happens when you walk through the door and trust your instincts.

Questions parents always ask

Start with your city page and sort by the dimension that matters most to your family — Safety if that’s your top concern, Curriculum if academic approach is key, or Teacher Quality if you want to assess the people your child spends the day with. Shortlist 3 to visit in person. The rankings tell you where to spend your time — the tour tells you whether it feels right.
Scores reflect research conducted as of June 2026, drawing on Ohio ODJFS / DCY licensing data. Always verify current licensing status directly at jfs.ohio.gov before enrolling.
Ohio childcare centers are licensed and inspected by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), with oversight transitioning to the new Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). All centers listed hold an active Ohio childcare license. You can search licensing records, inspection histories, and compliance information at jfs.ohio.gov — a valuable resource to review alongside our rankings.
No. Every center appears because it holds an active Ohio childcare license. No center paid to be listed, rank higher, or receive a more favorable write-up. Scores are derived entirely from publicly available review data and licensing records.
Key things: How do teachers greet children at drop-off? Warm, individualized hellos signal strong attachment culture. Watch transitions — chaos or calm? Ask about turnover: how long has the lead teacher in your child’s room been there? Check ratios — are they at or below Ohio-required maximums? A center that smells clean and has engaged (not frantic) noise is a good sign.
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Important Disclaimer & Limitation of Liability — Please Read Before Using This Resource

For informational purposes only. All content is provided solely for general informational and educational purposes. Nothing herein constitutes professional advice of any kind, including legal, medical, safety, educational, or childcare licensing advice.

No warranty of accuracy or completeness. All scores, ratings, and written analyses are editorial opinions derived from publicly available third-party sources, subject to review bias, recency lag, platform manipulation, and incomplete data.

Third-party data; no independent verification. Scores are derived from consumer review platforms and the Ohio ODJFS / Department of Children and Youth (DCY) child care licensing database. Publisher has not independently visited, inspected, or verified conditions at any facility. Parents are solely responsible for verifying current licensing status through jfs.ohio.gov and through in-person visits to any facility under consideration.

Not a substitute for personal investigation. These rankings help parents narrow an initial field of options. They are expressly not a substitute for personal visits, direct conversations with directors and staff, independent review of licensing and inspection records, and any other due diligence a parent deems appropriate.

Scores reflect editorial opinion, not objective measurement. All dimension scores are editorial assessments synthesized from publicly available data. They do not constitute objective measurements, certifications, or findings of fact.

Limitation of liability. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Publisher disclaims any and all liability for any loss, damage, injury, or expense arising out of a parent’s use of, or reliance on, these rankings. Use of this resource is entirely at the user’s own risk. Governing law: State of Ohio.