Find a Quality Daycare Center Near You With Our List
As parents, we want to be sure our kids are safe and well taken care of when they are away from home, so finding the right daycare center is an important, and sometimes daunting, task.
If this is your first time looking for child care, you may be pleasantly surprised to discover all that child care centers have to offer.
Many provide indoor and outdoor learning opportunities, daily reports on your child’s day and even the ability to watch your child remotely while they are at child care!
Check out some of the many child care options our community offers below.
It is the user’s responsibility to thoroughly investigate and research potential child care providers. While we only list child care options that claim to be licensed, we do not ask for proof of licensing to be in this guide. Inclusion in this guide does not indicate endorsement by grkids.com. Grand Rapids Kids is providing this Child Care Guide for informational purposes only.
Featured Grand Rapids Daycare Centers
*This is a sponsored section of GRKIDS.com.
AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool in Grand Rapids
Infants, Age 1, Age 2, Age 3, Age 4, Age 5, Age 6 and up
AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool provide the highest quality educational programming in a safe, nurturing, child-centered environment that earns the trust of the children and families they serve.
Families enjoy “visiting” their child through the live video feed and receiving real-time daily reports.
They care for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years old with a specialized curriculum for infants, toddlers, pre-k, and school age.
Kent ISD - Great Start to Quality in Grand Rapids
Age 0-1, Age 2, Age 3, Age 4, Age 5, Age 6+
Great Start to Quality is committed to helping Michigan families find childcare that fits their budget and schedule. Parents can use Great Start to Quality as a tool to help look up and compare early childhood programs to find the best childcare. Children learn so much in their first five years. The foundation is set for children to be successful in school, work, and life when they have a safe place to learn, explore, and build relationships. Great Start to Quality is Michigan's quality rating and improvement system that evaluates the quality of licensed programs, for children 0-12.
West Side Christian Little Sprouts Childcare in Grand Rapids
Age 2, Age 3, Age 4, Age 5, Age 6+
West Side Christian School roots and grows children, including our Little Sprouts, in Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Little Sprouts learn and play in our nature preserve, outdoor playscape, massive playground and garden. As part of the larger WSCS community, Little Sprouts attend school chapels, host guest readers from elementary classrooms and often cheer on WSCS sports teams at home games.
Little Sprouts can also attend onsite Preschool, Nature Preschool, or Young 5s programs in conjunction with childcare. We offer before, during, and after school care and summer care options.
Year-round, quality, Christian childcare for children ages 2 and up.
Milestones Child Development Center in Grand Rapids
Age 0-1, Age 2, Age 3, Age 4, Age 5, Age 6+
Milestones Child Development Center is locally owned and offers 4 program locations in Cascade, Caledonia, Belmont and Portage.
Open since 2005, Milestones enriches each child’s life with intentional educational techniques, authentic experiences all while providing a nurturing and safe environment.
Milestones state of the art facilities offer secure buildings, warm interiors and expansive natural playgrounds.
The Best Daycare Centers in Grand Rapids That Families Love
When I was searching for a daycare facility while pregnant with my first child, I constantly asked everyone I knew what daycare center their kids went to and if they loved it. A recommendation from a fellow parent was worth its weight in gold to me.
Earlier this year, parents voted on their favorite places to play and live life in greater Grand Rapids. Parents told us the most loved daycare facilities in the area, so if you are also in the hunt for a great daycare center, here are recommendations from parents just like you.
Love this list? Check out our full report on all the local things that families love here.
NOTE: We do recognize that there are many in-home facilities offering FANTASTIC child care in our area as well. As these facilities are usually quite small, it did not work to include them in the city & region-wide voting that took place to compile these results- that is why this article focuses on daycare centers.
Winner: Milestones Childhood Development Center
Winner: Milestones Childhood Development CenterFavorite Grand Rapids Daycare Centers
1. Milestones Child Development Center
2. AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care & Preschool
3. All Saints Academy Elementary
4. Treehouse Child Care (Grandville Public Schools)
5. Big Steps Little Feet (Ada)
6. The Goddard School For Early Child Development
7. Tutor Time
8. Kenowa Hills Early Childhood Center
9. Adventures Learning Centers
10. Childtime Learning Centers
About Milestones Child Development Center
Milestones Child Development Center offers 5 program locations in Cascade, Caledonia, Belmont, Portage and Grandville.
Open since 2005, Milestones enriches each child’s life with intentional educational, authentic experiences all while providing a nurturing and safe environment.
Milestones' state of the art facilities offer secure buildings, warm interiors and expansive natural playgrounds.
About AppleTree & Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool
Providing high-quality childcare and early education in a safe nurturing environment where your child can learn, grow, and thrive socially and academically. Visit your child anytime online using the Livestream video feed and receive daily activity reports online, in real-time with our electronic daily reports.
T E S T I M O N I A L
"We have had nothing but a wonderful experience. We love the app so we can see our child on camera anytime and the staff is wonderful. Very safe environment." - Monroe School Parent
More Child Care Options
- Adventures Learning Centers Child Care
- Aldersgate Center for Child Development
- AuPairCare
- Baxter’s Child Development Center
- Bethlehem Intergenerational Center
- Bright Horizons at Spectrum
- Caledonia YMCA Child Development Center
- Cascade Christian Church Child Development Center
- Childtime Learning Centers
- David D Hunting YMCA Child Development Center
- Everyday Wonders Educare
- Explore and Grow Christian Learning Center
- Generations Child Development Center at Mary Free Bed YMCA
- Grand Rapids Community College Early Childhood Programs/Center
- Grand Valley State University Children’s Enrichment Center
- Grandville Public Schools Treehouse Child Care
- Immanuel St. James Lutheran Early Childhood Center
- Kenowa Hills Early Childhood Center
- Lakeshore Little People’s Place
- Little Smiles Daycare
- Mayfair Christian Daycare
- Orchard Hill Christian Preschool and Child Care Center
- Rainbow Child Care Center
- Stepping Stones Montessori School
- The Goddard School
- The Playful Garden Child Care
- Tutor Time
- YMCA Child Development Center at Covenant House Academy Grand Rapids
- Zeeland Public Schools Z-KIDS Child Care
Stepping Stones Montessori has openings now for their infant program! Learn more here: http://www.steppingstonesgr.org/
Mom looking for a sitter of a 1 year old. We live in Grand Rapids close to Kentwood.
I am looking for a daycare center for my 2 almost 3 year old son. I would need something Monday through Friday from 7:30-8am until 5-5:30pm. Any suggestions let me know
Upcoming Program at Trinity United Methodist Church on “How to talk to your children about death” presented by Ele’s Place of Grand Rapids. This FREE program is on June 1st from 6-8 pm (dinner included) at Trinity UMC (1100 Lake DR SE GR 49506). To register or have questions please email [email protected]. Registration closes May 27th, limited space available.
Hello! I’m moving to GR end of January and looking for a great home daycare for my 2 1/2 year old son. Please help!t
looking for daycare, foe 11 month old boy. pick up and drop off. 6am-10pm. TIA
Hello I have a 2year old that needs childcare 3 maybe 4 days a week first shift
Potty trained well behaved need asap
Hello all!
I will be licensed for at-home daycare as of January 2016! I am located in the NE side of Grand Rapids and am seeking to fill 2 more spots, kids over 30 months of age (2 are currently filled). I have a very competitive rate and am open 7am-6pm weekdays. Thanks for considering!
Relocating for work and this timeline aligns perfectly! We’re interested, need care for our two little ones over the age requirement. Can you please contact me via email if there are still openings?
Do u still have any openings? I’m interested!
Hello there. I have a 2 year old & a 4 year old that I am in need of a daycare provider for. My needs would be part time with a rotating schedule as follows;
Week A: Monday, Tuesday & Friday
Week B: Wednesday & Thursday.
Please let me know if you are able to accommodate my needs, I appreciate your time.
May I have your contact info? I am currently looking for in home day care for my 9 month old
If you can not afford preschool for your child, please contact me and I will give you some information on free preschool
Please make sure they are licensed and that have a clean, safe environment. It may help to do random, surprise drop ins to visit to make sure it’s not just a “glorified babysitter” and that the owner is actually taking wonderful care of your child and following the guidelines needed to enhance their development skills.
Tammi Johnson
Lynsay Troupe-Davis
Lauren Nowak
I am currently looking for day care four to five days a week from 8 to 330/4pm. My son is eight months old. We live in the comstock park area.
I AM A MOTHER LOOKING FOR IN HOME BEFORE SCHOOL CARE 4 DAYS PER WEEK. TRANSPORTATION FOR 3 SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN (TWINS BOYS 8YRS DAUGHTER 7YRS) NEEDED FOR MORNINGS TO SCHOOL. PLEASE EMAIL ME [email protected].
Hello, I am a licensed daycare provider in Grandville. I have some openings. Feel free to contact me for further info.
Cheryl Saylor
Hello!
My husband and I are the proud parents of a bubbly 9 month old. We recently moved to the Cedar Springs/Greenville area and are looking for part time daycare 3-4 days a week. Any help is greatly appreciated!
Hi everyone, I am looking for affordable before care for my 6 yr old. I have to go to work at 6am. as well as daycare for my 2 yr old who isnt yet potty trained.
I’m currently interested in having interviews set up for the care of my newborn son. He has a due date of December 1st, though who really knows when he will decide to arrive. Before I get caught up in preparing for his arrival I’d like to have his childcare all set. I will need someone Monday- Thursday 2pm to midnight. I prefer that he is not around cats because I have an allergy to them. If there is anyone interested please contact me.
Hello,
I am a soon to be licensed daycare provider on the NE side of Grand Rapids. We live near Riverside park. My hours will be 7:30-5:00 Monday-Wednesday. I am a former Kindergarten and preschool teacher. I have worked with children for 20 years. I have an Associates and Bachelors degree in Child Development, Human Development and Education. Please contact me if you’re interested. My licensing will be complete October 1st.
Hi! Do you currently have any openings for babysitting? I am looking for just a couple hours every weekday afternoon for my 2 toddlers as my husband’s and my work shifts overlap. If so, please email me! [email protected]. Thanks! -Cassy
I am currently looking for day care in the area. Please contact me if you have openings.
Hi Heather! Do you happen to have any opening For two girls Tuesday’s & Thursday’s?
Any openings for a 17 month old?
Hi, I am looking for part-time day care for my toddler son. Can you recommend any licensed home care providers either on the NE or SE side close in?
I am looking for a daycare that has availability for my 2 and 4yr old. I work as a Registered Nurse On-Call and don’t have a set schedule. I live in Belmont and work at Spectrum so would like to find a place that would be on my way to work that opens at 6-630. The problem that I am running into is that I only need daycare a handful of times a month…
I am in need of day care for my 7 mo. old and for my soon to be 6 yr old. I only need childcare for the summer for my 6yr old. Would like provider to be in the NE/NW area. Thank you!
I am in desperate need of child care. I hv a 8m.old and a 2 yr old ima single mom i work full time. I live on the west side and work on the n.w. i dont drive so i wuld need something close or someone who is willing to pick up kids. If anyone can help or lead me in the right direction.. Thank u in advance
I am looking for a babysitter first shift 7:30-4:00. I take the bus so transportation would be a plus. Please email for further information.
Was just wondering what the going rate fora weekend sitters is??? 2 children ages 15 and 11 who are basically self sufficient and a dog and cat in your own home.
http://grkids.com/sitter-survey-rate-results-for-greater-grand-rapids/
My name is Mandy Dieleman and I am looking for excellent in home childcare for my 5 month old. I am a Kindergarten teacher and will be going back to work full time starting September 2. Please let me know if you are in the Alger Heights area or not far from Alger Heights!!
Hi Mandy,
I am looking for in-home childcare for my 5 month old as well. Did you happen to find an excellent place? Please share if you can…thanks!
Lucky Duck Child Care is an in home licensed program designed specifically around teacher schedules. Please like my Facebook page for updates or visit luckyduckchildcare.com. Openings for 0-17 month and 18+ month available now.
Lucky Duck Child Care is an in home licensed program designed specifically around teacher schedules. Please like my Facebook page for updates or visit luckyduckchildcare.com. Openings for 0-17 month and 18+ month available now.
There is a new sitter co-op site where you can trade for child care instead of pay for child care. http://www.sittingaround.com/coops/1104/#.U4D8BBxI17c.gmail
I am looking for child care facilities in Greenville. Can anyone assist in leading me in the right direction. I googled it but several numbers are disconnected so I am not sure what facilities are in that area.
Dear Ms. Satsky,
I am a licensed family home childcare provider in Belding. If you are still in need of child care, please feel free to review my information on the Great Start Connect Website at http://www.greatstartconnect.org/find-child-care-preschool. You may reach me at 616-389-4009 with any questions you have. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
I am located in the Kentwood area at 5673 Christie Ave SE and have an in home childcare. Please check out my website and feel free to list me on here!! I offer childcare for birth-14 I am open 6am-6pm and have my degree in Child Development. My number is 616-635-6586 🙂
http://www.enchantedlearningchildcare.com
Thank you
Joni Stiling
Hello!
I am a 24 year old Grand Rapids native who considers herself to be a professional nanny. I am not registered with any agencies, however I have worked in childcare since 2007 and since then have been a nanny for 6 families! I would be a stay-at-home-mom if I could, but until the Lord blesses me with that venture, I choose to work as a nanny.
If you would like to contact me for your childcare needs, feel free to email me at [email protected].