Celina, TX · Collin County · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Celina, Texas

Celina has an unusual claim to history: in 1902, the entire town—buildings, businesses, and all—was relocated on rollers northward to position itself closer to the newly planned railroad, earning it the nickname "Rollertown." Today, Celina is recognized as Texas's first gigabit city, with fiber internet infrastructure providing gigabit speeds throughout the community. The city has become one of the fastest-growing communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with its population surging from under 17,000 in 2020 to over 64,000 by 2025. One of Texas's fastest-growing cities, Celina has grown to nearly 60,000 residents and is rapidly adding licensed childcare capacity to serve thousands of new families relocating from the Frisco and Prosper corridors. We scored each 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.

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

1
Children's Lighthouse of Celina
3520 S., Dallas Parkway Celina, TX 75009
★ 4.8 (42 Google)    ·  Preschool / Childcare · Celina
Meals IncludedSkill Classes
8.2/ 10
Safety
9
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
8
K-ready
8
Teachers
9
Compassion
9
Mgmt
9
Culture
9
Class sizes
7
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Rated 4.8 stars across 42 reviews — parents specifically praise attentive staff, clean facility, and the real-time app keeping them connected throughout the day
  • Full-day program 6:30 AM–6:30 PM with values-based curriculum covering 6 weeks through 12 years
  • Staff described as professional and caring, with children feeling safe and parents feeling confident in the care

Considerations

  • Newer Celina location with less established history than sibling locations in Prosper or Frisco
  • No subsidies accepted
2
Green Meadows Montessori Academy
5570, Martin Dr Celina, TX 75009
Montessori · Celina
Montessori
8.2/ 10
Safety
10
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
7
Infant care
8
K-ready
8
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
8
Culture
9
Class sizes
9
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • 5-star Trustanalytica rating — nature-immersive park-like campus in a secluded Green Meadows neighborhood setting
  • Authentic Montessori with larger-than-average classrooms for independent exploration — zero high-severity HHSC deficiencies
  • Small enrollment and a dedicated team keep class sizes intimate and learning deeply personalized

Considerations

  • Very new program with limited public review history beyond the school's own testimonials
  • No subsidies and remote Green Meadows location may add commute time for some Celina families
3
The Goddard School of Celina
380 W., Frontier Parkway Celina, TX 75009
★ 4.9    ·  School-Age / After-School Care · Infant–Toddler–Pre-K–School Age
4 High DeficienciesAccepts Subsidies
7.1/ 10
Safety
4
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
9
Compassion
9
Mgmt
8
Culture
9
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Parents describe amazing staff and ownership who care for children as their own -- school praised for running efficiently and thoughtfully
  • Curriculum described as fun and engaging; children emerge academically and socially well-prepared for kindergarten
  • Directors and teachers praised for proactive communication and fast response to parent concerns

Considerations

  • 4 high-severity HHSC deficiencies on record -- review latest inspection report before enrolling
  • Large licensed capacity (370) -- verify class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios with the center
4
Imagine Early Education & Childcare Celina
380 W., Frontier Parkway Celina, TX 75009
Preschool / Childcare · Celina
Meals Included
6.7/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
7
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
6
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Imagine brand is known for passionate teachers and robust parent communication via the Kindertales app — daily photos and milestones shared in real time
  • Full-service program covering infants through school age with meals and snacks included
  • Creative Curriculum framework guides age-appropriate group learning across all classrooms

Considerations

  • Limited Celina-specific public review history — most available feedback is from other Imagine locations
  • No subsidies accepted
5
Light Farms Montessori
3921, Prairie Crossing Dr Celina, TX 75009
Montessori · Infant–Toddler–Pre-K–School Age
2 High Deficiencies
6.4/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Serves full age range from infant through Pre-K — continuity of care for growing families
  • Snacks provided as part of daily program
  • Operating hours: 07:00 AM-06:00 PM

Considerations

  • 2 high-severity deficiencies on HHSC record — review latest inspection report before enrolling
6
Celina Montessori Academy
3905, S Preston Rd Celina, TX 75009
★ 4.5    ·  Montessori · Infant–Toddler–Pre-K–School Age
2 High Deficiencies
6.4/ 10
Safety
6
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Authentic Montessori education for 18 months through elementary age; parents note clean classrooms, quality food, and engaging activities
  • Full-day 7:00 AM--6:00 PM schedule at 188-capacity licensed facility on S Preston Rd
  • 90% recommendation rating on Facebook from Celina community families

Considerations

  • 2 high-severity HHSC deficiencies on record -- review latest inspection report before enrolling
  • Limited public review history; small number of reviews makes it harder to gauge consistency
7
The Anchored School
4400, S Coit Rd Celina, TX 75078
School-Age / After-School Care · Infant–Toddler–Pre-K–School Age
1 High Deficiencies
6.3/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Serves full age range from infant through Pre-K — continuity of care for growing families
  • Snacks provided as part of daily program
  • Operating hours: 07:00 AM-06:00 PM

Considerations

  • 1 high-severity deficiency on HHSC record — review latest inspection report before enrolling
  • Large licensed capacity (284) — verify class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios with the center
8
Friendship Corner Christian Preschool
12465, Fm 428 Celina, TX 75009
Church Preschool · Part-Time · Celina
Faith-BasedPart-Time
6.2/ 10
Safety
10
Curriculum
5
Art/Music
4
Infant care
2
K-ready
3
Teachers
6
Compassion
8
Mgmt
8
Culture
9
Class sizes
9
Extracurriculars
4

Strengths

  • Zero high-severity HHSC deficiencies — safe, faith-based first learning environment on FM 428 in Celina
  • Small community feel with nurturing Christian values — a tight-knit alternative to large franchise centers
  • Affordable part-time option well-suited for families supplementing home care with structured preschool

Considerations

  • Part-time schedule not compatible with full-time working parents needing all-day coverage
  • No infant or school-age program — toddler and preK only
9
AlphaBEST @ Celina Primary ? Celina
507, E Malone St Celina, TX 75009
School-Age / After-School Care · Pre-K–School Age
0 High DeficienciesAccepts Subsidies
5.9/ 10
Safety
9
Curriculum
7
Art/Music
5
Infant care
2
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
5

Strengths

  • Zero high-severity deficiencies on HHSC record — strong regulatory compliance history
  • Accepts child-care subsidies — accessible to families using state financial assistance
  • Small licensed capacity of 30 keeps class sizes intimate and teacher attention high
  • Snacks provided as part of daily program
  • Operating hours: 02:30 PM-06:30 PM

Considerations

    10
    AlphaBEST @ Light Farms- Prosper
    1100, Cypress Creek Way Celina, TX 75009
    School-Age / After-School Care · Pre-K–School Age
    0 High DeficienciesAccepts Subsidies
    5.9/ 10
    Safety
    9
    Curriculum
    7
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    2
    K-ready
    7
    Teachers
    6
    Compassion
    6
    Mgmt
    6
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    5

    Strengths

    • Zero high-severity deficiencies on HHSC record — strong regulatory compliance history
    • Accepts child-care subsidies — accessible to families using state financial assistance
    • Snacks provided as part of daily program
    • Operating hours: 02:50 PM-06:30 PM

    Considerations

      11
      AlphaBEST @ Martin - Celina
      2905, N Louisiana Dr Celina, TX 75009
      School-Age / After-School Care · Pre-K–School Age
      1 High DeficienciesAccepts Subsidies
      5.7/ 10
      Safety
      7
      Curriculum
      7
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      2
      K-ready
      7
      Teachers
      6
      Compassion
      6
      Mgmt
      6
      Culture
      6
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      5

      Strengths

      • Accepts child-care subsidies — accessible to families using state financial assistance
      • Snacks provided as part of daily program
      • Operating hours: 07:00 AM-06:30 PM

      Considerations

      • 1 high-severity deficiency on HHSC record — review latest inspection report before enrolling
      12
      AlphaBEST @ Lilyana- Prosper
      1300 Marigold Ln., Celina, TX 75078
      School-Age / After-School Care · Pre-K–School Age
      2 High DeficienciesAccepts Subsidies
      5.6/ 10
      Safety
      6
      Curriculum
      7
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      2
      K-ready
      7
      Teachers
      6
      Compassion
      6
      Mgmt
      6
      Culture
      6
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      5

      Strengths

      • Accepts child-care subsidies — accessible to families using state financial assistance
      • Snacks provided as part of daily program
      • Operating hours: 03:00 PM-06:30 PM

      Considerations

      • 2 high-severity deficiencies on HHSC record — review latest inspection report before enrolling
      No centers match this filter.

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      Recognition of Excellence · Celina, TX · 2026
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