Deborah McCabeFinding the best daycare in Philadelphia can feel like a full-time job in itself.
As a working parent, a single parent, or a family that’s new to the city, you just want a safe, warm place for your little one. Touring centers and sitting on waitlists is tiring, but it’s so worth it once you find the right fit.
And if you’re already thinking ahead, the same site that points families to trusted tutoring services and the best math tutors in Philadelphia for older kids can help here, too.
I rounded up some of the top local picks to make this big decision a little easier. Let’s get to it!
How much does daycare cost in Philadelphia?
Full-time, center-based daycares for infants and toddlers in Philadelphia usually run between $1,500 and $2,800+ per month. What you pay depends largely on your child’s age and the facility’s quality rating.
| Program Type | Monthly Average Range | Approximate Weekly Rate |
| Infant Care | $2,000 – $2,800+ | $350 – $600+ |
| Toddler/Pre-school | $1,500 – $2,200 | $350 – $600+ |
1. Bright Horizons at Center City
Website: https://www.brighthorizons.com/
Address: 1601 Market Street
Contact: (215) 650-6828
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Bright Horizons runs a full early-education program using their own Discovery Driven Learning approach, which really nurtures curiosity and lets kids explore at their own pace.
Children from one month to twelve years old can move through each stage right under one roof. A colleague of mine sends her toddler here, and she keeps raving about how the play-based routine is clearly getting him ready for kindergarten.
The spot is super handy for downtown commuters, with extended weekday hours that fit demanding work schedules. The catch is that all these perks come at a higher price.
This one usually costs more than the city average, so it can stretch some family budgets.
Still, their National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation gives real peace of mind. The focus on whole-child learning means your little one gets quality care every single day.
Customer Reviews
A wonderful experience for both us and our son!
We switched to Bright Horizons Center City close to a year ago when our last daycare closed. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience for both us and our son! The director, teachers, and staff have all been amazing. Our son requires early intervention therapists to visit him at daycare and it has been a seamless experience. He is thriving in the space and activities, and he has created such a bond with each of his teachers. Can’t thank Bright Horizons Center City enough for providing such a great experience!
- Briana Carmen-Grebel | Google Review
We love this daycare
We switched to Bright Horizons Center City location after having a negative experience at another childcare facility. We love this daycare. They have gone above and beyond to help our child transition into her new class. The center director and health & safety director are wonderful. They are always present, responsive, and professional. The teachers are amazing, you can tell they enjoy their work and workplace. Most importantly our child is safe, happy, and thriving. We recommend this facility to friends and family.
- Jes D | Google Review
2. Center City KinderCare
Website: https://www.kindercare.com/
Address: 1700 Market St, Ste LL40
Contact: (215) 563-9499
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Center City KinderCare offers infant-through-pre-K programs in one location, with a research-based curriculum that emphasizes early academics and social-emotional learning.
This NAEYC-accredited center also has flexible full-time and part-time scheduling, which is a big relief for parents juggling unpredictable hours. Getting care here is really practical, too, since they stay open until 6 PM.
The enrichment classes, covering things like cooking and phonics, add a nice variety to the day.
While the structure is solid, a few parents have mentioned the odd hiccup in communication during classroom transitions. Some also felt the warmth varied a bit from one staff member to another, especially in the older pre-K rooms.
Nonetheless, parents really like the app-based daily updates that keep them connected to their child’s day.
It’s also worth mentioning that small staffing differences like that are common in larger networks, and the center’s safety routines stay strong across the board.
Customer Reviews
A welcoming atmosphere
We loved KinderCare Center City! The daycare admin, Donna and Shannon, were always quick to answer questions and created a welcoming atmosphere. Our daughter’s teachers (Ms. Jenn, Ms. Brendy, Ms. Shauna, Ms. Deja, Ms. Azul, and Ms. Anna) were amazing – so loving and treated her like family.
- Elizabeth Schwartz | Google Review
The best teachers ever
Best Daycare my daughter has attended hands down. Clear communication/ around the clock updates and the best teachers ever. My daughter started at kinder care before she was one years old and she is only leaving due to relocation. I would choose this institution for my daughters education care a million times again!
- Destiny Middlebrooks | Google Review
3. The Goddard School of Philadelphia – 22nd and Pine
Website: https://www.goddardschool.com/
Address: 2201 Pine Street
Contact: (215) 774-8877
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Families who want a steady, continuous learning setup often turn to The Goddard School and its Wonder of Learning curriculum, which is built to encourage early problem-solving.
They also use a dedicated satellite location just for their older pre-kindergarten students, so the learning space matches each age group.
When I toured a similar Goddard location for my own family, I was struck by how lessons were shaped by the kids’ actual questions rather than rigid scripts.
This network is known for its strong educational support and its focus on social-emotional teamwork. Because each location runs as a franchise, though, staff turnover can sometimes interrupt the flow of care.
A bit of inconsistency in classroom management during those staffing shifts is worth keeping an eye on.
All in all, the center keeps very strong public ratings for its nurturing care. That mix of academic readiness and relationship-building is a big draw for local parents.
Customer Reviews
Very organized, do awesome activities every day
Wonderful daycare and would recommend to any friends or family. Very organized, do awesome activities every day, take my child outside all the time, teachers really love my toddler. My child has grown and thrived at Goddard.
- Jessica Kelly | Google Review
To any parent in need of daycare
Every time I drop my children off at the Goddard school, I know they are safe and well taken care of; I also know they are learning a lot, all while having fun. This school truly is a gem. I know the staff really care about my kids, and the communication with parents is unparalleled. The owners are always on site and highly invested, which makes all the difference. Would absolutely recommend to any parent in need of daycare.
- Rachel Tretter | Google Review
4. Busy Bees Learning Center
Website: https://www.busybeeschildcare.com/
Address: 601 Walnut Street, Suite LL25
Contact: (215) 733-9271
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Busy Bees Learning Center is an independent, family-owned spot that maintains a cozy feel while still offering the amenities you’d expect from a much larger provider.
They keep class sizes small and have great long-term teacher retention, with many staff members happily staying 5 to 10 years. The founder’s Montessori background really shows in their hands-on, interactive approach to early learning.
Parents love the daily extras, like Spanish lessons, yoga, and classroom cameras that give peace of mind during the workday.
On the flip side, a few families have raised concerns about how staff handle behavioral incidents between kids. Some felt the discipline and prevention strategies weren’t always consistent from room to room.
Even with those classroom-management concerns, the community-focused vibe stays really appealing. It’s an overall great pick for parents who want an intimate, neighborhood feel instead of a big national chain.
5. Primrose School of Center City Philadelphia
Website: https://www.primroseschools.com/
Address: 1635 Market Street, Suite 104, First Floor Plaza
Contact: (215) 545-1920
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Primrose School mixes everyday childcare with structured early learning through its Balanced Learning curriculum, which pairs teacher-guided lessons with child-led play.
Their focus leans heavily on character development and whole-child education, so kids come out ready both academically and socially.
They also take part in local subsidy programs, which help make childcare more accessible for eligible military and local families.
The center does a great job with school-to-home communication, with frequent updates on milestones and daily progress.
The biggest hurdle is simply getting in, since high demand often means long waitlists for infant and toddler spots. You’ll likely need to plan your enrollment several months in advance to secure a placement.
If you can work around those enrollment delays, the curriculum resources are excellent. Families who want strong kindergarten readiness will really value the academic structure here.
Customer Reviews
Truly catering to each child’s individual needs
We are so happy we chose Primrose for our son’s first daycare. The teachers are caring and attentive, truly catering to each child’s individual needs. The staff and administrators are also wonderful—warm, professional, and always supportive. The location is convenient for parents who work in Center City, which has been a huge plus. We would highly recommend Primrose to any family.
- Ji Eun Park | Google Review
Daycare/school all day that you trust
Primrose has been nothing but exceptional. It is a relief to be able to send my children to a daycare/school all day that you trust. My oldest son is graduating pre-k and I feel as if he is prepared for kindergarten because of Primrose. Thank you Primrose for taking such good care of my babies.
- Kimberly Wagner | Google Review
