Find a daycare in Tampa, FL

Find daycares in Tampa, FL

Find daycares in Tampa, FL

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
Zip code

Find daycares in Tampa, FL

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
Zip code

Top 10 daycares in Tampa, FL

Parents agree: these Tampa daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Alidy Child Care

Alidy Child Care

9+ years in business
Serves Tampa, FL
Founded in 2016, Alidy Child Care is a home-based childcare program based in Tampa, Florida, and serves the surrounding areas. The curriculum at Alidy is child-centered with a focus on promoting problem-solving skills, social skills, and self-help. Children have access to a dedicated playroom, age-appropriate toys, and learning materials. Additionally..
Taller Mecánico Mtz

Taller Mecánico Mtz

5+ years in business
Serves Tampa, FL
Welcome to Taller Mecánico MTZ in Tampa, FL, where expert automotive care meets customer satisfaction. With a dedicated team of 25 skilled professionals, we are committed to providing top-notch service for all your vehicle needs. Our experts ensure that every repair and maintenance service is performed with precision and care, giving you peace of mind on the road. Experience the excellence of our trusted services and let us keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently.
Fernandez, Susan

Fernandez, Susan

16+ years in business
Serves Tampa, FL
Fernandez, Susan is a reputable licensed home daycare in Clearwater, FL, providing a nurturing group environment for up to 6 children. This provider is known for their commitment to offering high-quality child care, with food also included in their service. Reach out to Fernandez, Susan to learn more about their offerings and availability.
Oak Grove Elementary HOST

Oak Grove Elementary HOST

Serves Tampa, FL
Founded in 2010, Oak Grove Head Start is a trusted childcare provider in Tampa, Florida and the surrounding areas. They provide a nurturing, high-quality environment tailored to stimulate overall growth and development. For a more structured learning approach, Oak Grove Elementary School is an institution that fosters academic achievement and creativity. For after-school and summer needs, Oak Grove Elementary HOST offers programs on campus that allow children to relax, socialize, and engage in various educational activities.
Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School

Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School

66+ years in business
Serves Tampa, FL
Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School, founded in 1959 and located in Tampa, Florida, is a nationally accredited facility serving children from ages 2 to 12. The school offers a variety of part-time and full-time preschool programs, as well as, afterschool care for students from local elementary schools. With a focus on children's holistic growth, the curriculum encourages physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological development. The school's rich history includes the introduction of a two-year-old program and VPK program, meeting the evolving needs of the community it serves.
Palm River Early Child Development Family Child Care

Palm River Early Child Development Family Child Care

Serves Tampa, FL
Palm River Early Child Development Family Child Care, located in Tampa, FL, provides a nurturing home-based childcare program. The curriculum focuses on literacy, reading, math, science, and art, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. Additionally, students engage in outdoor activities, physical movement exercises, and creative free play. The program also includes food provision, adding another layer of convenience for families.
Carlton Academy

Carlton Academy

Serves Tampa, FL
Founded in 2008, Carlton Academy Day School, located in Tampa, FL, and the surrounding areas, is a licensed preschool center that provides exceptional child care and early education services for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. The school is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment that encourages independence, creativity, and self-discipline. With a focus on supervised social interaction and personal success, Carlton Academy Day School works to instill self-confidence in each child.
B.T. Washington Elementary School HOST

B.T. Washington Elementary School HOST

Serves Tampa, FL
B.T. Washington Elementary School HOST, located in Tampa, Florida, provides a comprehensive before and after school program for its students. The program includes homework assistance, playtime, rest, and additional academic activities. Catering to the all-round development of the students, it also offers summer programs and occasional field trips. The HOST program goes beyond academics, ensuring the students are well-fed and taken care of.
Lake Magdalene UMC Early Childhood Center

Lake Magdalene UMC Early Childhood Center

Serves Tampa, FL
Established in 2010, Lake Magdalene UMC Early Childhood Center serves the Tampa, Florida area and its surroundings. As a Christian childcare center, it offers toddler, PreK, and Kindergarten programs. The center emphasizes school readiness, offering educational activities in science, math, art, music, social studies, and Spanish. Furthermore, chapel visits and Christian lessons are woven into the curriculum, providing a wholesome educational experience.
Bloomingdale Children's House

Bloomingdale Children's House

Serves Tampa, FL
Founded in 2011, Bloomingdale Children's House, located in Brandon, FL, provides a Montessori-based early education that nurtures creativity and exploration. The center offers a variety of child-led and teacher-led activities, from gardening and painting to piano lessons and soccer. Emphasizing both indoor and outdoor play, the center also cares for a number of animals to foster natural science education, compassion, and care-taking skills. Bloomingdale Children's House champions fun, warmth, security, and discovery in early childhood education.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

Reviews for Tampa daycares

Recent success stories from people in the Tampa area.
We've vetted over 250,000 child care providers.
Deep insights on every provider

Compare programs with pricing, detailed information, parent reviews, photos, and more.

Quality & safety transparency

See the current licensing status for every daycare and child care provider.

Up-to-date availability

Filter your search to show providers with openings now.

Tampa daycares by service