Best Daycares in Wayne County, Ohio

Browse all 62 licensed daycares in Wayne County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

22
Gold SUTQ
35% of programs
4
Silver SUTQ
6% of programs
6
Bronze SUTQ
10% of programs
30
Not Rated
48% of programs

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Not Rated

Amanda Diaz

Orrville•1353 Clay Ct

Certified In Home Aide
Not Rated

Bright Beginnings Preschool Of Dalton

Dalton•163 West Main Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Silver Rated

Care 4 Kids Educational Child Care Center

Wooster•5025 Cleveland Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Caw/M Orrville Head Start

Orrville•1801 Smucker Drive

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Caw/M Rittman Preschool Head Start

Rittman•250 North Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Caw/M W#3 Head Start: Preschool

Wooster•905 Pittsburgh Avenue

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Cawm West Salem Headstart Center

West Salem•99 E Buckeye St.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Christ Church Community Preschool

Orrville•301 N Main St

Licensed Child Care Center
Silver Rated

Cornerstone Before And After School YMCA Of Wayne County

Wooster•101 W Bowman St.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Cornerstone El

Wooster•101 W Bowman St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Dalton School

Dalton•117 Mill St N

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Not Rated

English, Peggy

Apple Creek•5352 E. Messner Rd.

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Hall, Sonya L

Orrville•303 Park St

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

Hazel Harvey Elementary School

Doylestown•165 Brooklyn Ave

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Hazel Harvey School

Doylestown•165 Brooklyn Ave

Licensed School-Based Preschool

Common Questions About Wayne County Child Care

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

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

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