Find a daycare in Saint Paul, MN

Find daycares in Saint Paul, MN

Find daycares in Saint Paul, MN

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in Saint Paul, MN

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in Saint Paul, MN

Parents agree: these Saint Paul daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
The Felix School

The Felix School

New on TrustedCare
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Hello! My name is Chenaill and I own The Felix School. I have over 20+ years of early childhood education and experience. the curriculum is Montessori based education where there is guided play with a strong emphasis on self-sufficiency pride. Safety is the first and foremost priority of my classrooms and the child to teacher ratio is very small so each little one will have more one-on-one care. I just love watching little one grow and hit new milestones as well as forming new bonds with each family that walk through my door. I want to foster a close community of families within The Felix School, so the environment feels like a home away from
Lorene's Learning Loft

Lorene's Learning Loft

New on TrustedCare
5+ years in business
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Jackson Whitney Lorene is a trusted and licensed home daycare situated in Minneapolis, MN. They offer a nurturing group environment for up to 10 children at a time. Located conveniently in the Willard-Hay area, their services are widely accessible to families in Minneapolis and surrounding regions. For further inquiries about prices and availability, feel free to reach out to Jackson Whitney Lorene.
Little Inspirations Childcare Center

Little Inspirations Childcare Center

New on TrustedCare
11+ years in business
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Little Inspirations Childcare, founded in 2013 and located in Oakdale, Minnesota, is a woman-owned daycare center licensed to care for up to 59 children ranging from 6 weeks to 6 years old. The center not only offers childcare services but also a bi-weekly themed curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten, incorporating music, reading, play, sensory activities, puzzles, dramatic play, puppets, and art.
Growing Explorers Learning Center

Growing Explorers Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
5+ years in business
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Established in 2019, Growing Explorers Learning Center, located in Lake Elmo, MN and surrounding areas, is a state-licensed early childhood education facility. They offer age-appropriate learning experiences for children from infancy to pre-kindergarten age. The center's dedicated teachers support child development through a play-based curriculum that stimulates curiosity, creativity, and love for learning. They are committed to fostering lifelong social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth in preparation for kindergarten and beyond.
Tender Heart Childcare & Pre-K

Tender Heart Childcare & Pre-K

New on TrustedCare
20+ years in business
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Tender Heart Childcare & Pre-K founded in 2004, provides top-quality child care and early education services in Bloomington, Minnesota and surrounding areas. The business focuses on creating a nurturing environment for young children, fostering both creative and interactive learning. With a two decade-long track record of service to the community, Stefanie Berge continues to positively impact crucial developmental years in a child's life.
Cornerstone Early Learning Center

Cornerstone Early Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
10+ years in business
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Cornerstone Early Learning Center, founded in 2014 and located in Hugo, MN, offers premium, Christ-centered childcare for children aged 6 weeks to preschool. Cornerstone is committed to fostering spiritual, emotional, social, cognitive, and physical growth in a safe, nurturing environment. Through a diverse curriculum that includes science, early mathematics, literacy activities, dramatic play, movement, music, and art, they aim to instill a love for lifelong learning in every child.
Buttons & Bows Daycare LLC

Buttons & Bows Daycare LLC

New on TrustedCare
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Buttons & Bows Daycare LLC, established in 2009, serves the Saint Paul, Minnesota and surrounding areas with exceptional child care services. This nurturing, high-quality daycare provides a safe and fun learning environment tailored to each child’s development. As a licensed Child Care Home, it offers a variety of programs, including a 3-star Parent Aware rating, a food program, and Reading Core. This attentive provider accommodates a specific number of children, ensuring personalized care and attention.
Clover Montessori School

Clover Montessori School

New on TrustedCare
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Clover Montessori School, located in West St Paul, Minnesota and serving the surrounding areas, provides authentic Montessori education in a cheerful environment. As a licensed daycare center, it offers child care and play experiences for up to 44 children. Reach out to Clover Montessori School to inquire about availability and pricing.
Big Wonder Child Care

Big Wonder Child Care

New on TrustedCare
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Big Wonder Child Care, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a non-profit preschool that serves the surrounding areas with a focus on early childhood education. As a women-owned organization, Big Wonder combines Montessori and Reggio approaches to provide exceptional and equitable care. They are committed to sparking the magic and catalyzing the potential in every child through their innovative and loving practices. Their doors are opening this summer, ready to welcome and nurture the young minds in their care.
KidsPark Childcare

KidsPark Childcare

New on TrustedCare
Serves Saint Paul, MN
Founded in 1988, KidsPark is a reputable, state-licensed, not-for-profit hourly childcare service located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the surrounding areas. With a team of professional staff, KidsPark provides affordable drop-in care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The center focuses on developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum, offering a solution for occasional or semi-regular childcare needs. The facility also includes a playground for outdoor recreation and exercise.

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?

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