Daycare centers in Columbus, OH
547 licensed programs · median published tuition $982 a month · 277 with Google ratings
A daycare center is a licensed facility that cares for children in age-grouped classrooms, usually from six weeks old until kindergarten, for a full working day. Centers are inspected by the state, must meet staff-to-child ratios for every age group and carry a licensed capacity.
Mother's Helper Child Care (712 E Spring Street)
Great Arising Academy
AB Childcare Academy
FCBDD Early Childhood Education
Ivybrook Academy
Learning to Flourish Gahanna

Barrington School of Kingsdale
Academy Kids Learning Center, LLC
GoldClever Bee Academy - Affordable Child Daycare Center on Harrisburg Pike
A Little Piece Of Heaven Learning Center
Guidepost Montessori at Worthington
Laugh N Learn Enrichment Center
Sapnas Childcare
St. Margaret of Cortona Preschool
Childcare in Columbus: what to know
How many licensed child care programs are in Columbus?
Columbus has 642 licensed programs on the Ohio register: 547 daycare centers, 0 licensed preschools, 84 home daycares and 11 before and after school programs.
Who licenses child care in Ohio?
Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Child Care Licensing licenses and inspects child care centers, preschools and home daycares in Ohio. Every profile links to the state record. Licence data on this page was synced in September 2026.
What is Step Up To Quality?
Step Up To Quality is Ohio's rating for licensed programs, with Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers. 476 of 642 programs in Columbus hold a rating.
What does daycare cost in Columbus?
24 programs in the Columbus area publish full-time tuition on their website. The median starting price is $982 a month, and $1,400 a month for infants. Most programs share tuition only on a tour, so ask for the full fee schedule including registration and supply fees.
Why do home daycares show only a ZIP code?
A licensed home daycare is a private residence. The listing shows the licence, capacity and ZIP code. The provider gives the address to families directly.
When should I join a daycare waitlist in Columbus?
Infant rooms fill first because the state allows the fewest babies per teacher. Ask each program how long its infant and toddler waitlists run and whether a deposit holds a place. Home daycares often have shorter waits than centers.
Help paying for care
Most states run a child care subsidy for working families under an income limit, funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund.
Show programs that accept subsidy →Nearby cities
Source: Child Care Facilities layer, Ohio Emergency Management Agency. Last synced September 2026. Ratings and review counts are from Google.