Find a daycare in Portland, OR

Find daycares in Portland, OR

Find daycares in Portland, OR

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Find daycares in Portland, OR

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in Portland, OR

Parents agree: these Portland daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Atlas Immersion Academy - Silicon Forest

Atlas Immersion Academy - Silicon Forest

15+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Atlas Immersion Academy, established in 2010 in Portland, Oregon, delivers a developmentally appropriate early childhood program in a full language immersion environment. The academy caters to infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, offering French and Spanish language acquisition through daily interactions. The academy, founded by Dory Hobbs, has grown into multiple locations, including West Linn. Atlas is committed to creating globally-minded citizens by providing a nurturing environment that promotes social, cognitive, and physical growth. This women-owned business prides itself on its multicultural and multilingual environment.
International Leadership Academy

International Leadership Academy

14+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Founded in 2011, the International Leadership Academy in Lake Oswego, Oregon, offers more than just daycare. They provide a French immersion experience for infants, toddlers, and students up to the 5th grade. The academy's approach to learning includes a diverse curriculum with a focus on STEAM subjects, guided by native French-speaking teachers. Their inclusive, secure, and family-oriented environment ensures a seamless transition into their Pre-K and Elementary programs. With a low teacher to student ratio, every child is given the attention they need to thrive.
Rayitos De Sol LLC

Rayitos De Sol LLC

3+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Rayitos De Sol, located in Gresham, Oregon, is a licensed home daycare committed to providing quality preschool education and childcare in a group setting for up to 16 children. With a certified bilingual staff boasting 12 years of experience, Rayitos De Sol utilizes all resources to ensure the best opportunities for your child's development. The service area includes Gresham and its surrounding areas.
Maggie's Happy Hearts Preschool & Child Care

Maggie's Happy Hearts Preschool & Child Care

21+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
At Maggie's Happy Hearts Preschool & Child Care, we are dedicated to nurturing the growth and happiness of your child. Located in the heart of Milwaukie, OR, our intimate setting with a small team ensures personalized attention and care. We provide a joyful and secure environment where children can thrive socially and educationally. Our focus on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere allows children to explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. Trust Maggie's Happy Hearts to be a supportive partner in your child's early development journey.
St Paul Christian Daycare

St Paul Christian Daycare

4.7(3)
26+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Brian A. says, "I have two girls at St Paul's. Both of them really enjoy their time there and we've been there 3+ years. Compared to the other daycares we toured around Portland (we live in Portland and commute up to WA), the large classrooms and friendly and caring staff really stand out. They are also integrated with the states childhood food programs and the hours are the best available for working parents. I do feel the need to add since I'm sure the thought crosses people's mind - it is associated with the Church, but its not Sunday school, it's just a good daycare with a lot of happy kids." Read more
Vanessa's Happy Daycare

Vanessa's Happy Daycare

5.0(2)
2 hires on TrustedCare
8+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Hope S. says, "I miss Vanessa's Happy Daycare so much! My family moved out of state, and I wish I could have taken Vanessa with us! I wholeheartedly recommend Vanessa's Happy Daycare to any parent looking for a clean, nurturing, and development-focused environment for their child. My son, Kevin, attended Vanessa's Happy Daycare from when he was 6 months old to 3 years old. Vanessa was incredibly warm and attentive to Kevin. He can be quite messy, but I never picked him up in dirty clothes, and her house was always spotless. Vanessa takes the time to get to know each child at her daycare, and I really appreciated that as a first-time mom. I was worried about leaving my son at a daycare, but Vanessa keeps the children on a consistent routine, which was so beneficial for Kevin’s sense of security and overall development. There were countless signs that my son was in good hands at Vanessa's Happy Daycare. Kevin would be so excited to go to her house every morning and see his friends, and he would come home and tell me that Vanessa's son was his "bestie." Kevin would often share stories about all the games/activities they did - many seemed focused on developing dexterity and hand-eye coordination, like using zippers and buttons, building blocks, stacking cups, and even throwing balloons. It was amazing to see how much Kevin had learned and grown - he eventually stopped letting me zip up his jacket for him!" Read more
Rocking Horse Learning Center

Rocking Horse Learning Center

8+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Welcome to Rocking Horse Learning Center, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities! Located in the heart of Lake Oswego OR, our nurturing daycare environment is designed to inspire and support your little one's journey of discovery and learning. With a dedicated team of passionate educators, we focus on providing personalized care and fun, educational experiences that foster creativity and social skills. Join us at Rocking Horse Learning Center, where every day is an adventure and your child's future is our mission.
Gathering Tree Early Learning

Gathering Tree Early Learning

Serves Portland, OR
Gathering Tree Early Learning, based in Vancouver, WA, is a dedicated early learning program residing on a sprawling five-acre property in East Vancouver. The program firmly believes in fostering a desire to learn and grow in children through interaction with their environment. The curriculum and learning activities are creatively executed through play and nature, providing a unique and enriching experience for up to 12 children. Contact Ella Fultz, a licensed home daycare provider, for availability and pricing information.
Dee's In Home Day Care

Dee's In Home Day Care

7+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Dee's In Home Day Care, based in Vancouver, Washington, is a licensed home daycare run by Deidre Mendoza. They offer child care in a group setting, accommodating up to 10 children. The business focuses on providing quality care in a safe and nurturing environment. To inquire about prices and availability, potential customers are encouraged to contact Dee's In Home Day Care directly.
Little Professors Preschool

Little Professors Preschool

Serves Portland, OR
Little Professors Preschool, founded in 2016, is a trusted educational institution located in Gresham, Oregon, and the surrounding areas. The school is renowned for its perfect blend of academic learning, play-based education, and social interaction. It provides a structured preschool class with options for extended care, ensuring flexibility for families. With highly qualified teachers and a low class size ratio, they offer a nurturing environment that caters to the individualized needs of students, preparing them both academically and socially for kindergarten. The school continues to expand, with a new location recently opened on Powell Bl

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 Portland daycares

Recent success stories from people in the Portland area.
Kiana B.
I love that my daughter is OBSESSED with her teachers, she loves bother her main teachers and the support staff that do their breaks. It always makes me feel so much better knowing my daughter is actually happy in her classroom. She's only a baby but I know she loves her teachers. I love that I always get a daily report at the end of the on how her day was because it lets us know her mood, her diaper changes, meal times and if she's running low on supplies so I know to bring more. And they always tell me funny stories from the day!
St Paul Christian Daycare
Sally C.
Vanessa is so loving, so kind and patient. Her home is welcoming. She makes me feel comfortable and confident as a parent that my children are in great hands when they are in her care. It feels like I am dropping off my babies to a trusted family member or a really close friend. Both of my children love her and her family. We are truly so grateful for Vanessa and the care she provides.
Vanessa's happy daycare
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