Best Daycares in Lancaster, PA — Independent Quality Ratings
Of Lancaster's 177 daycares, 69 (39%) hold a 4 or 5 star rating from Childery, matching Pennsylvania's statewide rate of 41%. Locally, providers average 3.1 stars on Process inputs (state QRIS, NAEYC and other accreditation, federal Head Start CLASS scores) and 3.4 stars on Structural inputs (state regulatory baseline plus provider-level licensing data), compared with Pennsylvania averages of 3.2 on Process and 3.6 on Structural.
The local market includes 113 centers, 18 group child care homes, and 38 family child care homes, a higher home-based share than Pennsylvania's average of 22%.
Listed alphabetically below are some of the highest-rated providers in Lancaster. Childery ranks providers using publicly auditable inputs: state QRIS scores, NAEYC-aligned ratios and group sizes, and federal CCDBG training coverage. See the Pennsylvania methodology page for the full breakdown.
Rating Distribution in Lancaster
Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Lancaster: 3.4 (Sample of 177).
Process rating across all displayed daycares in Lancaster: 3.1 (Sample of 150).
Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Lancaster: 3.4 (Sample of 177).
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Some of the Best Daycares in Lancaster
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many licensed daycares are in Lancaster?
- There are 177 licensed child care providers in Lancaster.
- What percentage of Lancaster daycares have high quality ratings?
- 39% of Lancaster daycares hold 4 or 5 stars on Childery's composite rating, compared to 41% statewide in Pennsylvania.
- What types of childcare are available in Lancaster?
- 113 center-based, 56 home-based providers operate in Lancaster.
- How do Lancaster daycares score on teaching quality compared to the rest of Pennsylvania?
- Lancaster daycares average 3.1 out of 5 stars on Childery's Process score (teaching quality, QRIS ratings, and accreditations), compared to a Pennsylvania statewide average of 3.2.
- Is there financial help for childcare in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania offers childcare subsidies and assistance programs for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in Pennsylvania
All 177 Daycares in Lancaster
- Caridad Calnick-Aguero
- Caridad Calnick-Aguero
- Carlas Daycare
- Carlas Daycare
- Carter & Macrae Elementary School
- Catherine Hershey Sch for El New Danville Llc
- Centerville Elementary School Sacc
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Chesterbrook Academy
- Circle of Friends Academy
- Clara M Guzman
- Clara M Guzman
- Community Action Program
- Community Action Program Child Care
- Covenant Child Care Center
- Covenant Child Care Center
- Creative Kidz Daycare Llc
- Creative Kidz Daycare Llc
- Lafayette Elementary After-School Center
- Lafayette Elementary After-School Center
- Lafayette Thrive to Five
- Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneer Early Childhood Center
- Lampeter-Strasburg Pioneer Early Childhood Center
- Lancaster Country Day School
- Lancaster Country Day School
- Lancaster Early Education Center
- Lancaster Family Center
- Lancaster General Health-Penn Medicine
- Lancaster General Nurse-Family Partnership Program
- Lancaster Rec Child Care at Mccaskey Hs
- Lancaster Recreation Commission
- Lancaster Ywca Child Enrichment Center
- Lancaster Ywca Child Enrichment Center
- Libertad Gonzalez
- Little Dreams Child Care Center Llc
- Little Flowers Daycare
- Little Flowers Daycare
- Little Hearts Day Care
- Little Lights Christian Academy
- Little Pasitos Bilingual Preschool Llc
- Lopez Daycare Llc
- Malave Child Care Center Llc
- Malave Child Care Center Llc
- Marias Daycare Ii
- Marias Daycare Iii
- Mariel S Daycare
- Mariel S Daycare
- Mariela Cruz Rodriguez
- Martin Elementary After-School Center
- Martin Elementary After-School Center
- Mercedes M Reyes
- Mommy Cookies Child Care
- Montanos Child Care
- Montanos Child Care
- Montessori Academy of Lancaster
- Montessori Academy of Lancaster
- Mother V Daycare Llc
- My Second Home Daycare Llc
- My Second Home Daycare Llc
- Savannah King
- Segarras Llc
- Segarras Llc
- Small Wonders Academy Inc
- Smith-Wade El Elementary School
- Smith-Wade El Elementary School
- Smoketown Elementary
- Smoketown Elementary
- Steps to Success Mount Sidney Rd
- Steps to Success Mount Sidney Rd
- Sunshine Nursery Childcare Center 2
- Sunshine Nursery Childcare Center 2
- Sunshine Nursery Daycare Center Llc