Best Daycares in Lorain County, Ohio

Browse all 200 licensed daycares in Lorain County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

59
Gold SUTQ
30% of programs
11
Silver SUTQ
6% of programs
47
Bronze SUTQ
24% of programs
83
Not Rated
42% of programs

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Not Rated

Acorn Childcare Center

Avon•37800 French Creek Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Admiral King Elementary School

Lorain•720 Washington Ave

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Aelc School

Avon•3075 Stoney Ridge Rd

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Bronze Rated

All About The Kids Academy

Elyria•435 Griswold Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Angel Day Care

Elyria•258 Brunswick Dr Apt B

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Bonilla, Tina M

Lorain•1025 West 4TH Street

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Boss Babies

Lorain•923 West 29 St

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Boyd, Andrea

Lorain•2024 W 41ST Street

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

Brilliant Start Academy

Amherst•901 Liberty Bell Drive

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Bubbles Child Enrichment Center 2

Lorain•3411 Colorado Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Cabrera, Gloria

Lorain•1610 West 44TH

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Cahl, Susan

Elyria•466 W. 10TH St.

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Carter, Cheryl

Lorain•1312 Missouri Ave

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

Cascade Horizon Education Center

Elyria•233 Bond Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Lorain County Child Care

Helpful answers for families searching for daycares in Lorain County, Ohio.

Does "Not Rated" SUTQ mean a daycare in Lorain County 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 in Lorain County on this page 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. SUTQ is an optional, additional layer of quality recognition.

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 Lorain County?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply across Ohio, including Lorain County. 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? (Backs on a firm surface — crib or pack-and-play — 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?

Before you commit, here are the most important questions to cover — 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 infant/child CPR and First Aid?

Quality and daily life

  • What would a typical day look like for my child?
  • How do providers interact with children throughout the day?
  • How do you handle guidance and discipline at my child's age?

For the full checklist including age-specific questions for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, see our FAQ page.

Source: Child Care Aware of America — Short Notice Checklist

What if I can't find openings in Lorain County?

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 Lorain County:

  1. Browse nearby cities — Use our cities directory to find providers in adjacent 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
  4. Check adjacent counties — Browse our county directory for providers just across county lines

For the most current availability, also check Ohio's Child Care Search which sometimes includes real-time enrollment status.

More questions? Visit our full FAQ page.