Best Daycares in Lucas County, Ohio

Browse all 399 licensed daycares in Lucas County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

132
Gold SUTQ
33% of programs
31
Silver SUTQ
8% of programs
89
Bronze SUTQ
22% of programs
147
Not Rated
37% of programs

Updating results...

Only locations with address coordinates appear on the map.

Loading map…
Gold Rated

A Family Affair, LLC

Toledo•648 Fernwood Ave

Licensed Type A Family Child Care HomePFCC
Silver Rated

A Home Away From Home LLC

Toledo•4307 Bellevista

Licensed Type A Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

A Mothers Touch Last Forever LLC

Toledo•3300 Upton Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

A Promising Tomorrow Llc.

Toledo•890 W. Bancroft St

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

A Rainbow'S Treasure, LLC

Toledo•4725 Dorr St

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A Unique Ray Of Sunshine Daycare

Toledo•1608 Hagley Rd

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

A&c Little Smarties Fcc LLC

Toledo•1311 Fernwood Avenue

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Abc Learning Care

Toledo•624 Williamsdale Dr

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Abc'Z With Ms. Nini

Toledo•4127 Fairview Drive

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Above Average Learning Center

Toledo•5415 Secor Road Ste 3 & 4

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Abrams, Lenora

Toledo•305 Kingswood Trail

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Al Mahdi Academy

Toledo•6004 Hill Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

All 4 Kids 2, LLC

Holland•6520 Pilliod Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

All 4 You Child Development Center, LLC

Holland•1007 S. McCord #14, 15, 16

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Lucas County Child Care

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

Does "Not Rated" SUTQ mean a daycare in Lucas 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 Lucas 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 Lucas County?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply across Ohio, including Lucas 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 Lucas 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 Lucas 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.