Sierra DawsonNavigating the chaotic early years of parenthood is tough enough without the added stress of finding reliable childcare. Whether you’re a working parent needing full-day coverage or a new resident getting settled, finding the right facility is a major priority.
Handing over your child to someone else requires immense trust, and I remember touring campuses feeling completely overwhelmed by the choices and waitlists. To help you breathe a little easier, I’ve put together a guide to finding the best daycares in Denver to fit your family’s routine and give you peace of mind.
If you want to plan your child’s education further, we also have a list of the top preschools in the area.
How much does daycare cost in Denver?
Childcare in Denver typically ranges around $1,575 to $1,600 per month, with full-time weekly rates varying based on the child’s age and specific facility offerings.
| Average Monthly Cost | $1,575 – $1,600 |
| Monthly Range | $458 – $2,371+ |
| Full-Time Weekly Rate | $125 – $350 |
| Part-Time Weekly Rate | $50 – $210 |
1. Denver KinderCare
Website: https://www.kindercare.com/our-centers/denver/co/300468
Address: 2200 S Holly St, Denver, CO 80222
Contact: (303) 757-8561
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Searching for a facility that balances high educational standards with financial accessibility often feels impossible. Denver KinderCare stands out by holding an official accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) while also operating as a contracted provider with the state’s Universal Preschool program to help reduce tuition burdens.
They even partner directly with Child Care Aware of America to provide fee assistance for active-duty military families.
I particularly appreciate their targeted school transportation, though it’s strictly limited to students attending Bradley Elementary and University Park Elementary.
The center opens early at 6:30 AM, which is a lifesaver for parents with long morning commutes.
However, the lack of weekend availability means you will have to look elsewhere if your shifts fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
We loved our time at KinderCare! We started when our daughter was about 8 months old, and she had a great time in the infant room with Ms. Nani and Ms. Tiffany. When she moved up to the toddler classroom, she didn’t want to leave for the day — that’s how much fun she was having with Ms. Lacey, Ms. Yaz, Ms. Zinab and Ms. Racheal! It was so fun watching our toddler take on personality, responsibility and new social skills she picked up at daycare. Thanks for all that you do!
- Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer | Google Reviews
Love our Daycare ❤️ our daughter turned 9 months and we were a little scared to drop her off at the begging all the teachers were so supportive with her transition to home to day care. She is a happy baby learned how to eat and waive bye bye. I leave her every day with the peace of mind but she loved and cared. I would recommend to every friend
- Kate P | Google Reviews
2. Denver Child Care Academy
Website: https://www.denverchild.com/
Address: 3145 W Florida Ave, Denver, CO 80219
Contact: 303-936-2055 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Denver Child Care Academy holds a Level 4 Program Rating from Colorado Shines and defaults to full Spanish immersion classrooms. This approach naturally builds bilingual skills during crucial early developmental years.
Beyond the language benefits, they use the research-backed Frog Street Curriculum to support social and emotional growth. The campus features an expansive outdoor area, complete with a jungle gym and an on-site Putt-Putt golf course.
On the downside, the strict 5:30 PM weekday closure can be difficult for parents stuck in late afternoon traffic. Getting a spot at this highly-rated facility also requires patience, but the small class ratios make the waitlist worth the effort.
DCCA has been amazing for us! Our son had never been in daycare before and they treated him with some much kindness and love to get him acclimated. Ms. Mayra is absolutely wonderful. She’s so caring and even helped us take the leap to potty train our little guy. I can’t say enough nice words about DCCA, we are blessed to have found them.
- Rosalin Yurga | Google Reviews
We love DCCA. We switched from another daycare when I found the communication from that daycare to be too confusing and frustrating to deal with. DCCA has better food, better teachers, and friendlier staff. My son has been enrolled since he was 2 so they’ve helped him through potty training, the terrible twos, and so much more. We’ll be sad to leave for Kindergarten in the fall.
- Ella Crane | Google Reviews
3. Kiddie Academy of Denver-Boulevard One
Website: https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/denver-boulevard-one/
Address: 7100 E 1st Avenue, Denver, CO 80230
Contact: 720-702-0222
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Parents appreciate that Kiddie Academy of Denver-Boulevard One provides nutritious, family-style meals, which completely changes their family’s morning rush.
Another one of their strengths is their proprietary Life Essentials curriculum. This specific framework focuses heavily on character development and creative expression.
They also run a dedicated Music & More program that uses rhythm and dance to accelerate cognitive growth. On top of that, parents receive continuous daily updates through the Academy Link application, keeping them connected to their child’s routine.
The major downside, however, is their opaque pricing structure, requiring you to schedule a full tour before they disclose any specific tuition rates.
Kiddie Academy is s great daycare center. Our daughter has absolutely loved it here. When she enters the school she is greeted by name, and as an Independent one year old, it is so fun to see her walk to her class and give her teachers a hug. Clean facility. Great location. I even recommended a friend to take her two daughters there and she is equally as happy. Thanks Franz, Ally and Adam.
- Heather Beckett | Google Reviews
My husband and I loved having our daughter at Kiddie Academy. The staff all know her by name and never fail to greet her or say goodbye. Kiddie Academy helped our daughter in her development so much and we will forever be grateful for that. She is always so excited to go to daycare and she loves her teachers.
- Jessica Santana | Google Reviews
4. Little Spark Learning Center
Website: https://www.littlesparklearningcenter.com/
Address: 2180 S Hudson St, Denver, CO 80222
Contact: 303-963-5833 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Little Spark Learning Center strikes the right balance between structured academics and free play. They deliberately combine hands-on activities with foundational literacy building.
Their core educational philosophy places a strong emphasis on social-emotional growth alongside traditional learning.
For older kids, they offer a dedicated before and after-school program featuring supervised homework assistance. The facility maintains long operating hours, giving families a wide window for daily drop-offs.
Unfortunately, they make no mention of school bus coordination, leaving working parents to manage mid-day transportation completely on their own.
My baby loves Little Sparks. The infant teacher is awesome! And the owner/wife are very pleasant people. I have not had any issues with this daycare and my baby is always happy to go to daycare and see his infant teacher. Thanks guys for the great experience:)
- Chavely C | Google Reviews
I was always scared to put my baby in daycare and I toured a lot of daycares before choosing and this one was my favorite since the moment I walked in. Ofcourse no is perfect but I love owners! And I love that my baby smiles when seeing them. My son comes homes and has learned something several times. I love that my son is loved here. And I would recommend it to anyone who asked.
- Jordan Dondelinger | Google Reviews
5. Sunflower Hill Child Care
Website: https://www.sunflowerhillchildcare.com/
Address: 1520 S. Glencoe St. Denver, CO 80222
Contact: (303) 489-2985 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
I recommend Sunflower Hill Child Care for highly sensitive children who don’t do well in sterile settings. They operate on a LifeWays and Waldorf-inspired model that treats the toddler program like a warm extension of a family home.
They forgo standard plastic toys entirely, outfitting the space with natural materials to better foster imagination.
Rather than relying on standard art classes, teachers integrate “Nurturing Arts” where kids participate in real-world tasks like baking bread or gardening. They also preserve an oral storytelling tradition, presenting narratives from memory or through puppet shows.
A significant limitation, however, is that they don’t accept children under two years old.
Sunflower Hill is so much more than a daycare. Our son has thrived during the almost year now that we have been welcomed into this community. Children learn new skills daily but most importantly, they learn empathy and respect for others. Kathy and her team do a wonderful job of fostering positivity and do so in ways that empower children. We love Sunflower Hill and all of the families that we have met.
- Jessica Guido | Google Reviews
This must be the best daycare in Denver. Kathy and her staff are so good with kids, so trustworthy, knowledgeable, caring and respectful. I would recommend this daycare (and their new location in Lakewood), to anyone, without reservation. Kathy takes such care to provide a beautiful, tranquil, nurturing environment for the children. It is a wonderful place for your child to spend the day. Sunflower Hill is more than just a daycare, it is a community. The friendships we’ve built with the other families is wonderful.
- Kelly Hummel | Google Reviews
