Best Daycares in Akron Metro

Browse all 455 licensed daycares in Akron Metro, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

County hubs: Stark County•Summit County•Medina County•Portage County•Wayne County

172
Gold SUTQ
38% of programs
19
Silver SUTQ
4% of programs
70
Bronze SUTQ
15% of programs
194
Not Rated
43% of programs
About childcare in Akron Metro
  • Akron Metro has 455 licensed child care providers, including 274 Child Care Centers and 73 Type B Family Child Care Homes and 71 School-based Preschools.
  • 261 providers (57%) hold a Step Up to Quality rating — 172 Gold, 19 Silver, 70 Bronze.
  • 312 providers (69%) accept Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) assistance for income-eligible families.
  • Providers in Akron Metro have been licensed for an average of 14 years, with the longest-running program licensed since 1970.
  • Akron Metro is part of the Akron Metro area.

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Not Rated

A + Childcare And Preschool

Massillon•3310 Wales Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

A Beautiful Child'S Preschool & Daycare

Akron•1449 Brittain Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A Mother'S Instinct

Akron•853 Mercer Ave

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

A Place For Everyone LLC

Hudson•5192 Darrow Rd

Licensed Child Care Center
Not Rated

A+ Childcare & Preschool

Massillon•3825 Lincoln Way E

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Abc Clubhouse Academy

Akron•692 E Market Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Abc Kids Academy Childcare

Akron•983 S. Arlington St

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Absorbent Minds Montessori School

Stow•4460 Stow Road

Licensed Child Care Center
Bronze Rated

Academy Of Future Scholars Llc.

Akron•734 Copley Road

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Academy Of Young Minds East

Wadsworth•685 Briarthorn Crescent Dr

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Academy Of Young Minds, Inc.

Wadsworth•311 Weatherstone Drive

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Adventure Place Child Development Center

Uniontown•1516 Edison St. NW

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Akron Montessori

Fairlawn•3882 Bywood Ave

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Bronze Rated

All About Kids

North Canton•6199 Frank Ave. NW

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

All About Kids Preschool

Norton•3285 Cleveland Massillon Rd.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Akron Metro Child Care

Helpful answers for families searching for daycares in Akron Metro, Ohio.

Does a "Not Rated" SUTQ status mean a daycare in Akron Metro is low quality?

No. “Not Rated” means the provider has not enrolled in Ohio's voluntary Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) program — it does not indicate a safety concern, a licensing problem, or substandard care.

Every provider listed in Akron Metro already complies with Ohio's mandatory baseline licensing requirements: background checks for all staff, health and safety inspections, required staff-to-child ratios, and annual continuing education.

When evaluating a “Not Rated” provider, review their inspection history on Ohio's Child Care Search, visit in person, and ask about staff qualifications and curriculum.

Source: Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-17-01 (PDF)

How do I find infant care in Akron Metro, Ohio?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply. In Akron Metro, starting your search several months early is strongly recommended.

When you contact a provider, ask specifically:

  • Do you have openings in the infant room for a child under 12 months?
  • What is your infant-to-caregiver ratio? (Ohio licensing requires a maximum of 1:5 for licensed centers)
  • How do you ensure safe sleep? (Babies on their backs, firm surface, no loose bedding)
  • Are feeding and nap schedules based on each baby's individual needs? (On-demand is best practice)
  • Is there a waitlist? How far in advance should I apply?

Source: Ohio Revised Code 5104.033 | Child Care Aware of America — Short Notice Checklist

What should I ask when I visit or call a daycare in Akron Metro?

Before committing to a provider in Akron Metro, cover these questions by phone or in person:

Logistics first

  • Do you have space for my child starting on [date]?
  • What are your rates and fees? Do you accept Ohio's PFCC subsidy?
  • What are your hours, holiday closures, and inclement weather policies?

Licensing and safety

  • Is your license current? When was your most recent inspection — were any concerns found?
  • Do all adults complete background checks before spending time with children?
  • Are providers certified in CPR and First Aid?

Quality and daily life

  • What would a typical day look like for my child?
  • How do you handle guidance and discipline at my child's age?
  • What is your screen time policy?

See the full checklist on our FAQ page →

What if I can't find openings in Akron Metro?

Ohio Parent Hub does not collect real-time seat availability — openings must be confirmed directly with each provider. If you're not finding what you need in Akron Metro:

  1. Browse the county — View all providers in the surrounding county to find programs in nearby communities
  2. Call, don't email — A direct call is faster and signals genuine interest to providers with informal waitlists
  3. Ask about waitlists — Many high-quality centers maintain them; getting on one early is often the best long-term strategy, especially for infants
  4. Ask about PFCC — Providers accepting Ohio's subsidy are marked on listings and can broaden your affordable options significantly

More questions? Visit our full FAQ page.

All 455 Licensed Daycares in Akron Metro