Best Daycares in Portsmouth

Browse all 15 licensed daycares in Portsmouth, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

County hubs: Scioto County

7
Gold SUTQ
47% of programs
2
Silver SUTQ
13% of programs
6
Not Rated
40% of programs
About childcare in Portsmouth
  • Portsmouth has 15 licensed child care providers, including 10 Child Care Centers and 3 School-based Preschools and 1 Type A Family Child Care Home.
  • 9 providers (60%) hold a Step Up to Quality rating — 7 Gold, 2 Silver.
  • 7 providers (47%) accept Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) assistance for income-eligible families.
  • Providers in Portsmouth have been licensed for an average of 13 years, with the longest-running program licensed since 1976.

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Not Rated

Bold Future Childcare LLC

Portsmouth•614 Glover Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Bonnie'S Learning Center

Portsmouth•3632 Swauger Valley Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Silver Rated

Cao Creative Cubs Academy

Portsmouth•1240 3RD Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Carousel Center Head Start

Portsmouth•1112 Gallia Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Clay Elementary School

Portsmouth•44 Clay High St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Highland Head Start

Portsmouth•1511 Hutchins Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Kendall Heights Head Start

Portsmouth•1908 Wayne Avenue

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Notre Dame

Portsmouth•1401 Gallia St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Not Rated

Patricia Keaton

Portsmouth•1907 Baird Avenue

Licensed Type A Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

Portsmouth Elementary

Portsmouth•514 Union St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Roots Child Care Center

Portsmouth•1210 Milldale Road

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Staggs, Melissa

Portsmouth•3102 Sheridan Rd

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Silver Rated

Temple Tots And Teens Center

Portsmouth•1148 Gallia Street

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Portsmouth Child Care

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

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

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

Before committing to a provider in Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth?

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 Portsmouth:

  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.