Best Daycares in Summit County, Ohio

Browse all 350 licensed daycares in Summit County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

129
Gold SUTQ
37% of programs
16
Silver SUTQ
5% of programs
60
Bronze SUTQ
17% of programs
145
Not Rated
41% of programs

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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

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
Not Rated

Akron Montessori

Fairlawn•3882 Bywood Ave

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Not Rated

All About Kids Preschool

Norton•3285 Cleveland Massillon Rd.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

All Around Children - Stow

Stow•4117 Bridgewater Pkwy

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Amari Humphrey

Akron•1216 Andrus St

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Silver Rated

Angels Land Here

Akron•364 W Exchange Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Angels Land Here LLC

Akron•855 E. Market Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Silver Rated

Auntie Sara'S Child Care Development Center

Akron•908 Dan Street

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

Auntiemom'S Childcare And Resource Center

Akron•1274 Country Club Dr.

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC

Common Questions About Summit County Child Care

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

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

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