Best Daycares in Painesville

Browse all 16 licensed daycares in Painesville, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

County hubs: Lake County

5
Gold SUTQ
31% of programs
3
Bronze SUTQ
19% of programs
8
Not Rated
50% of programs
About childcare in Painesville
  • Painesville has 16 licensed child care providers, including 10 Child Care Centers and 3 School-based Preschools and 2 Registered Day Camp Or Approved Day Camps.
  • 8 providers (50%) hold a Step Up to Quality rating — 5 Gold, 3 Bronze.
  • 10 providers (63%) accept Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) assistance for income-eligible families.
  • Providers in Painesville have been licensed for an average of 15 years, with the longest-running program licensed since 1971.

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Bronze Rated

Chestnut Y-Sacc

Painesville•341 Chestnut

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Childtime Children'S Centers

Painesville•2603 Riverside Drive

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Donna Bullis

Painesville•69 Pearl St.

Registered Day Camp or Approved Day Camp
Not Rated

Growing Hands Daycare, LLC

Painesville•1697 Mentor Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Hershey Montessori

Painesville•10229 Prouty Rd

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Lake - Geauga United Head Start, INC

Painesville•350 Cedarbrook Dr

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Little Scholars East Painesville

Painesville•1865 North Ridge Rd.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Maple Elementary School

Painesville•560 W Jackson St

Licensed School-Based PreschoolPFCC
Not Rated

Melridge Elementary School

Painesville•6689 Melridge Dr

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Not Rated

Painesville Christian Academy

Painesville•6235 Chestnut St

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

St Paul'S Preschool

Painesville•250 Bowhall Rd

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Tiny Town Childcare And Learning Center

Painesville•301 East Erie St.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Painesville Child Care

Helpful answers for families searching for daycares in Painesville, Ohio.

Does a "Not Rated" SUTQ status mean a daycare in Painesville 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 Painesville 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 Painesville, Ohio?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply. In Painesville, 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 Painesville?

Before committing to a provider in Painesville, 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 Painesville?

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 Painesville:

  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 16 Licensed Daycares in Painesville