Best Daycares in Columbia, MD — Independent Quality Ratings
Of Columbia's 192 daycares, 99 (52%) hold a 4 or 5 star rating from Childery, matching Maryland's statewide rate of 54%. Locally, providers average 3.0 stars on Process inputs (state QRIS, NAEYC and other accreditation, federal Head Start CLASS scores) and 3.8 stars on Structural inputs (state regulatory baseline plus provider-level licensing data), compared with Maryland averages of 3.0 on Process and 4.1 on Structural.
The local market includes 74 centers, 2 group child care homes, and 100 family child care homes.
Listed alphabetically below are some of the highest-rated providers in Columbia. Childery ranks providers using publicly auditable inputs: state QRIS scores, NAEYC-aligned ratios and group sizes, and federal CCDBG training coverage. See the Maryland methodology page for the full breakdown.
Rating Distribution in Columbia
Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Columbia: 3.4 (Sample of 192).
Process rating across all displayed daycares in Columbia: 3.0 (Sample of 126).
Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Columbia: 3.8 (Sample of 192).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many licensed daycares are in Columbia?
- There are 192 licensed child care providers in Columbia.
- What percentage of Columbia daycares have high quality ratings?
- 52% of Columbia daycares hold 4 or 5 stars on Childery's composite rating, compared to 54% statewide in Maryland.
- What types of childcare are available in Columbia?
- 74 center-based, 102 home-based providers operate in Columbia.
- How do Columbia daycares score on teaching quality compared to the rest of Maryland?
- Columbia daycares average 3.0 out of 5 stars on Childery's Process score (teaching quality, QRIS ratings, and accreditations), compared to a Maryland statewide average of 3.0.
- Is there financial help for childcare in Maryland?
- Maryland offers childcare subsidies and assistance programs for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in Maryland
All 192 Daycares in Columbia
- Bauder Education Center at Long Reach
- Bayarmaa Batchuluun
- Bet Yeladim Preschool
- Bethany Corrie
- Better Than Yesterday Child Care
- Blooming Buds Learning Center
- Brittany Brady
- Brookfield Christian School
- Bryant Woods Elementary
- Bryant Woods Elementary SAS
- Bryant Woods Montessori Children's House
- Building Kidz of Columbia
- Carolyn Kirkland
- Celebration Christian Academy
- Celebree School of Columbia
- Celebree School of Columbia-North
- Chanel Griffin
- Children & Company
- Children's Learning Center @ Howard Community College
- Children's Manor Montessori School and Day Care
- Childtime Children's Center
- Christ Memorial Christian Preschool
- Claudia Cuestas
- Clemens Crossing ElementarySAS
- Columbia Academy at King's Contrivance
- Columbia Academy at Thunder Hill
- Columbia Academy School
- Columbia Montessori School
- Cradlerock Children's Center
- Cradlerock Elementary
- Cradlerock Elementary SAS
- Creative Little Minds Learning Center II
- Creative Little Minds Learning Center III
- Cynthia Donovan
- Madelyn Carr
- Marakie Yilma
- Maria Trout
- Mariam Vohra
- Mariam Williams
- Marna Jack
- Mary Hoagland
- Maryam Ghahhari
- Maryam Imran
- Maryam Shakouri
- Maslow's Loom at Owen Brown Community Center
- Melissa Van Deusen
- Meloti Wondewsen
- Mildred Mattocks
- Miss Cheyenne's Pre-K Academy
- Monica Pino-Thompson
- Monica Pino-Thompson
- Morning Dew Care, LLC
- Mrs. D's Fantastic Class
- Parisi Jump Start Before and After Care Program
- Peace Chimes Family Child Care
- Penka Stanimirova
- Phelps Luck Elementary
- Phelps Luck SAS
- Public School Employees Child Development Program at Atholton High School
- Public School Employees Child Development Program at Long Reach HS
- Public School Employees Child Development Program-Oakland Mills
- Public School Employees' Child Development Program at Hammond High School
- Talbott Springs Elementary
- Talbott Springs Elementary SAS
- The Goddard School
- The Journey School
- The Kids Connection, Inc.
- The United Way Y Early Learning Center in Columbia
- The Young School Early Education Program
- The Young School Early Education Program
- Thelma Hayes
- Thunder Hill Elementary SAS
- Tracey Brown
- Tyra Thomas