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Daycares · Scranton, PA/Updated June 13, 2026

The 9 Best Daycare Centers in Scranton, PA

Finding the right daycare is crucial for your child's development. Our rankings highlight the best options in Scranton to support your family's needs.

Editorially independent10 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceEarly Explorers Child Care Center
96Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. 10 Scranton-metro daycares businesses evaluated, top 9 ranked by Vetted Score.

Choosing the right daycare center in Scranton can significantly impact your child's early development and your family's peace of mind. With growing options but limited reviews, it’s essential to select a provider that prioritizes quality care and education.

In this list, we evaluated ten local daycare centers based on their Vetted Scores, which reflect real customer feedback. Our top pick, Early Explorers Child Care Center, excels in both ratings and the number of reviews, ensuring you can trust their services.

10daycare centers evaluated in Scranton
4.62average rating across the field
124customer reviews analyzed

Cityvetted analysis of public Google review data, updated June 13, 2026.

How much does daycares cost in Scranton? See the price breakdown →

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
★ Editor's Choice
96Score

Early Explorers Child Care Center

★★★★★4.9(31 reviews)

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 31 reviews, Early Explorers Child Care Center is widely praised for its attentive staff and enriching environment.

Read full review
Best Value
95Score

WellKind School for Early Learners

★★★★★5.0(18 reviews)

WellKind School for Early Learners holds a perfect 5-star rating from 18 reviews, highlighting its exceptional staff and curriculum tailored for young learners.

Read full review
Most Reviewed
92Score

Christian Child Cares

★★★★★4.6(14 reviews)

Christian Child Cares has a solid rating of 4.6 from 14 reviews, with parents praising the faith-based approach and caring environment.

Read full review

All 9, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
96Score
4.9★★★★★
31Parents seeking a nurturing environment with strong educational focus
2
95Score
5.0★★★★★
18Parents looking for personalized care and a strong educational foundation
3
92Score
4.6★★★★★
14Families looking for a faith-based learning environment
4
82Score
5.0★★★★★
4Families wanting a small, focused daycare experience
5
80Score
5.0★★★★★
3Parents seeking a cozy, small daycare environment
6
78Score
5.0★★★★★
2Parents of infants seeking specialized care
7
80Score
4.2★★★★★
5Families looking for a friendly, activity-focused daycare
8
78Score
4.1★★★★★
16Parents prioritizing early education and university connections
9
78Score
3.8★★★★★
31Families looking for creative programming for their children
Methodology

How we evaluated all 10 daycare centers.

We assessed daycare centers in Scranton by compiling their ratings and review counts, focusing on transparency and reliability. Each provider was evaluated based on customer feedback, with no business paying for placement in our rankings.

This list is updated monthly to reflect the most current information and ensure that you receive the best options available. We aim to provide a trustworthy resource for families searching for quality daycare services.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Early Explorers Child Care Center

★★★★★4.9(31 reviews)
96Score

With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 31 reviews, Early Explorers Child Care Center is widely praised for its attentive staff and enriching environment. Parents commend the engaging curriculum and nurturing atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for early childhood development. However, some parents mention limited outdoor play space, which could be a downside for active toddlers.

Pros

  • Engaging curriculum
  • Nurturing staff
  • Strong community reputation

Cons

  • Limited outdoor space
  • Higher demand for spots
Best forParents seeking a nurturing environment with strong educational focus
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $350 per week
2
Best Value

WellKind School for Early Learners

★★★★★5.0(18 reviews)
95Score

WellKind School for Early Learners holds a perfect 5-star rating from 18 reviews, highlighting its exceptional staff and curriculum tailored for young learners. Parents appreciate the personalized attention each child receives, fostering a love for learning. The only drawback is its limited availability due to high demand, so early enrollment is recommended.

Pros

  • Perfect rating
  • Personalized attention
  • Strong curriculum

Cons

  • Limited availability
  • High demand for spots
Best forParents looking for personalized care and a strong educational foundation
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$180 to $320 per week
3
Most Reviewed

Christian Child Cares

★★★★★4.6(14 reviews)
92Score

Christian Child Cares has a solid rating of 4.6 from 14 reviews, with parents praising the faith-based approach and caring environment. Many appreciate the focus on both education and moral values, making it a suitable choice for families seeking a nurturing community. However, some parents note that the facility could use some updates.

Pros

  • Faith-based curriculum
  • Caring staff
  • Positive community feedback

Cons

  • Facility needs updates
  • Limited extracurricular activities
Best forFamilies looking for a faith-based learning environment
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$180 to $300 per week
4

Small Wonder Learning Center

★★★★★5.0(4 reviews)
82Score

Small Wonder Learning Center has a perfect rating of 5 from just 4 reviews. Parents appreciate the attentive and friendly staff, along with a well-structured curriculum. However, the low review count means it is still a promising but unproven option for many families. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families wanting a small, focused daycare experience. It serves Scranton, PA, with $200 to $300 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are thin review base and limited capacity.

Pros

  • Attentive staff
  • Structured curriculum

Cons

  • Thin review base
  • Limited capacity
Best forFamilies wanting a small, focused daycare experience
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $300 per week
5

Tiny Village Daycare

★★★★★5.0(3 reviews)
80Score

Tiny Village Daycare holds a perfect rating of 5 from only 3 reviews. Parents highlight the warm and welcoming atmosphere, as well as the individualized attention their children receive. However, the limited number of reviews makes it a less proven choice compared to others. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is parents seeking a cozy, small daycare environment. It serves Scranton, PA, with $180 to $280 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very few reviews and limited enrollment numbers.

Pros

  • Warm atmosphere
  • Individualized attention

Cons

  • Very few reviews
  • Limited enrollment numbers
Best forParents seeking a cozy, small daycare environment
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$180 to $280 per week
6

Infant Care Program

★★★★★5.0(2 reviews)
78Score

Infant Care Program has a perfect 5-star rating from 2 reviews, with parents praising the specialized care for infants. The nurturing environment is designed to cater to the needs of the youngest learners. However, with only two reviews, it remains a promising but unproven option. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is parents of infants seeking specialized care. It serves Scranton, PA, with $220 to $350 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are very limited reviews and potentially higher demand.

Pros

  • Specialized infant care
  • Nurturing environment

Cons

  • Very limited reviews
  • Potentially higher demand
Best forParents of infants seeking specialized care
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$220 to $350 per week
7

Little People Day Care School

★★★★★4.2(5 reviews)
80Score

Little People Day Care School has a rating of 4.2 from 5 reviews, with parents appreciating the friendly staff and engaging activities. However, some parents have expressed concerns about the facility's cleanliness and organization, which could be a deciding factor for some families. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families looking for a friendly, activity-focused daycare. It serves Scranton, PA, with $180 to $300 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are cleanliness concerns and limited reviews.

Pros

  • Friendly staff
  • Engaging activities

Cons

  • Cleanliness concerns
  • Limited reviews
Best forFamilies looking for a friendly, activity-focused daycare
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$180 to $300 per week
8
78Score

The University of Scranton Early Learning Center has a rating of 4.1 from 16 reviews, with parents appreciating the educational focus and university affiliation. However, the academic environment may not be suited for every child, and some parents have noted that the center can feel more institutional than homey. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is parents prioritizing early education and university connections. It serves Scranton, PA, with $200 to $350 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are institutional feel and mixed reviews on staff interaction.

Pros

  • Educational focus
  • University affiliation

Cons

  • Institutional feel
  • Mixed reviews on staff interaction
Best forParents prioritizing early education and university connections
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$200 to $350 per week
9

Creative Lil' Minds Childcare

★★★★★3.8(31 reviews)
78Score

Creative Lil' Minds Childcare has a rating of 3.8 from 31 reviews. Some parents appreciate the creative activities offered, but others have raised concerns about communication and organization. With such a varied review base, families may want to visit before making a decision. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. Most of what reviewers hire it for is families looking for creative programming for their children. It serves Scranton, PA, with $180 to $300 per week pricing, and the honest trade-offs are communication issues and inconsistent organization.

Pros

  • Creative activities
  • Diverse programming

Cons

  • Communication issues
  • Inconsistent organization
Best forFamilies looking for creative programming for their children
Service areaScranton, PA
Typical pricing$180 to $300 per week
Before you book

How to choose a daycare center in Scranton

When selecting a daycare, ask the right questions to gauge the provider’s fit for your family. Here are key considerations to help you make an informed decision.

What is the staff-to-child ratio?

A lower ratio means more individualized attention for your child, which is crucial for their development.

What is the center's curriculum?

Inquire about the educational programs offered. A well-rounded curriculum promotes learning through play and structured activities.

What safety measures are in place?

Understand the center's protocols for health, safety, and emergency situations to ensure your child's well-being.

What it costs

What daycare centers cost in Scranton

Daycare costs can vary significantly based on the center's services and location. Here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay in Scranton.

Infant care (0 to 12 months)$200 to $300 per week
Toddler care (1 to 3 years)$180 to $270 per week
Preschool programs (3 to 5 years)$150 to $250 per week
Before and after school care$100 to $200 per week

Frequently asked questions

How much does daycare cost in Scranton?

Pricing for daycare centers in Scranton varies, but you can expect rates around $150 to $300 per week depending on the center and age of the child.

What is the quality of daycare services in Scranton?

The quality of daycare services in Scranton is still developing, with most providers having under 50 reviews. The average rating among evaluated centers is 4.1 stars.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Scranton families: <strong>Early Explorers Child Care Center</strong>

For choosing a daycare in Scranton, Early Explorers Child Care Center is your best bet. With a stellar 4.9 rating from 31 reviews, this center has established itself as a leader in the area. If you prefer a truly perfect score, consider WellKind School for Early Learners, which holds a 5-star rating but has fewer reviews at 18. This choice is ideal for parents seeking a highly rated option with a smaller community feel. For those looking for a more faith-based environment, Christian Child Cares is a solid pick with a 4.6 rating from 14 reviews, making it suitable for families who value a Christian curriculum.