Ellis HartBetween the eye-watering tuition costs and waitlists that seem longer than a toddler’s tantrum, securing a daycare in Nashville can quickly turn into a massive headache.
So, instead of adding a dozen daycare tours to your overflowing to-do list, I did the heavy lifting for you. I dug into the top local childcare centers, checked out their safety protocols, and looked past the shiny corporate brochures to spot the facilities that actually follow through.
And here’s a bonus: if you want to plan for your child’s education further ahead, here are the best preschools in the area.
How much does daycare cost in Nashville?
Full-time childcare in Nashville typically ranges from $330 to over $869 per week, depending heavily on the child’s age and the specific facility location.
| Care Type | Estimated Cost |
| Infant Care (Weekly) | $150 – $350+ |
| Preschooler Care (Weekly) | $100 – $325 |
| In-Home Daycare (Weekly) | $125 – $225 |
| Premium Infant Care (Weekly) | Up to $869 |
1. Miss Wanda’s Daycare
Website: https://misswandasdaycare.com/
Address: 1915 Shelby Avenue
Contact: (615) 228-0933
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Miss Wanda’s Daycare has been around for over thirty years, and here, you’ll actually see parents bringing their kids to the exact same place they went when they were little.
While scouting locations with my sister, we chatted with a mom who loved how they handled early reading and counting. With a background in teaching, their founder also weaves crafts and music right into the daily schedule.
The kids get plenty of prep for kindergarten, along with warm, home-style cooking for lunch.
Just keep in mind that they lock up at 4:00 PM sharp. So, if you work a standard nine-to-five, the pickup time might be a tough puzzle to solve.
Customer Reviews
A staple in the East Nashville neighborhood
Miss Wanda’s Home Daycare is a staple in the East Nashville neighborhood. Our son loved it there. The environment could not be more fun and creative. Some flexibility is required with a home daycare, but we loved it! Wanda and Breana both love those kids and sure know what they are doing. Love them!
- Jonathan Durham | Google Review
If I could give more than 5 stars I would
Miss Wanda is the most amazing daycare I have ever seen, she is the nicest woman and treats my son amazing, also she teaches the kids and he is learning so much, im so thankful for finding her, my son is excited to see her everyday and all he talks about is going back, if I could give more than 5 stars I would thank you miss Wanda
- nathan buckley | Google Review
2. Swiss Avenue KinderCare
Website: https://www.kindercare.com/our-centers/nashville/tn/301272
Address: 410 Swiss Avenue
Contact: (615) 833-3960
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Dropping your kid off at a larger center feels a lot warmer when the teachers actually stick around. At Swiss Avenue KinderCare, over half the staff have been there for more than a decade.
They teach a solid Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum, but they also care about the little things, like keeping the infant rooms strictly shoe-free to protect crawling babies.
You get steady updates through their app to help you get through the workday. The building even has a verified safety rating for clean air and water.
An in-house dietitian plans all the meals and snacks, giving you back your early mornings. But since this is a corporate center, they follow very specific national protocols.
For instance, they don’t allow classroom cameras, which might be a bit of a shift if you’re used to the transparency of independent daycares.
Customer Reviews
You can tell they love their kids
This place will always have a special place in my heart because the teachers and staff are so wonderful and carrying and you can tell they love their kids. When my son left for kindergarten, he was ahead of the class because they taught him so much. He was a real love for learning and reading which I believe is because of the special attention the teachers here give each child.
- Kris Terell | Google Review
My daughter is loving her school and miss school on weekends!
I enrolled my daughter in Kindercare toddler section a year ago and since then we have realized consistent improvement in her skills and overall growth. I am really thankful to teachers who paid full attention to her and made her comfortable. Innovative administration under Jaime has brought many new processes that help parents to track their child’s growth and contribute. My daughter is loving her school and miss school on weekends!
- vijay shinde | Google Review
3. La Petite Academy of Nashville
Website: https://www.lapetite.com/
Address: 1842 Murfreesboro Pike
Contact: (877) 271-6466
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Moving your toddler from simple playtime to a real learning routine can be tricky. La Petite Academy of Nashville helps with this by slowly guiding kids into older classrooms as they grow.
They also mix early math and science right into their play centers, so the little ones pick up on those concepts naturally.
If you miss your kid during the workday, you can actually stream their classroom live from your phone to check on naps and snack times!
They even have an after-school club for older kids that helps out with homework and builds confidence. Being able to drop off everyone from your baby to your preteen in one spot is a huge time-saver for big families.
But as it is so popular, getting a baby enrolled can be tough. You might even have to pay a registration fee months before a spot actually opens up.
Customer Reviews
I highly recommend La Petite, one of the best!!
La Petite Academy has been such a wonderful extension to our family. From the moment we did the tour and all throughout my twins journey at the school, we have had the very best experience. All of the teachers and staff are amazing! If you are looking for a high quality school that goes above and beyond to meet the children’s needs, I highly recommend La Petite, one of the best!!
- Sherickea Coleman-Hardison | Google Review
I feel safe knowing my son is there
Love being a part of the la petite family on Murfreesboro road! Teachers and staff are all so helpful and invested. Ms. Melissa the director is literally AMAZING. So many activities for the whole family. Exciting parties, event weeks and so much more. Parents are always a part of the planning. My son is learning a lot and loves being there (even though he might not show it, lol) Everyone is patient and kind and I feel safe knowing my son is there.
- Kenzi Harden | Google Review
4. Little Harvard Daycare
Website: https://www.littleharvardnashville.com/
Address: 414 Brewer Drive
Contact: (615) 833-1957
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Getting kids started on learning early really gives them a great head start. At Little Harvard Daycare, even the toddlers start picking up letter sounds and basic numbers through fun daily themes!
I recently checked this place out, and their indoor play gym is just awesome!
The baby rooms are padded and completely shoe-free, giving crawlers a safe, clean space to explore. They keep the whole place nut-free and even teach older preschoolers a second language.
Because they keep class sizes small, your kid actually gets a lot of one-on-one time with the teachers.
But their sick policy can be pretty strict. If your little one has the sniffles, they have to stay home, which can be a tough spot to be in if you’re in a bind for childcare.
Customer Reviews
I’m so grateful we found it!
I love this daycare! My daughter is excited to go every day and always comes home talking about the fun activities she did, especially the crafts. The small setting is my favorite part, she’s not just a number. Ms. Jennifer and Mr. Derrick really know her, make her feel seen, and treat her with so much care. They are structured, organized, and friendly. It’s a warm, happy place, and I’m so grateful we found it!
- Tiffany Russ | Google Review
We can’t recommend this daycare enough!
Little Harvard Daycare has exceeded every expectation we had. My son started at 8 weeks old and he’s 2 1/2 now and has been thriving since the day he started. Mr. Brown and Ms. Jennifer and all the other teachers create such a positive and nurturing environment. You can tell they genuinely adore the kids. My child has grown so much socially and academically since starting here. It’s obvious that they truly prioritize safety, learning, and happiness. We can’t recommend this daycare enough!
- Tara Moore | Google Review
5. Unique Kids Childcare Center
Website: https://uniquekidscc.org/
Address: 1828 Old Murfreesboro Pike
Contact: (615) 866-9687
Schedule: Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Getting kids outside is so good for their energy and mood. Unique Kids Childcare Center makes sure they get plenty of fresh air by letting them explore grassy lawns and woodland trails every single day.
They’re accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), so you know they meet high standards. Your regular tuition even covers fun extras like baby sign language and yoga.
Teachers here tailor the activities to fit your child’s personality. Plus, they bring in a professional cleaning crew every week to keep the germs away.
Every Wednesday is a big deal here. The whole place turns into a hands-on lab for art and building projects!
Take note, however, that they wrap things up at 5:30 PM. If you hit bad traffic on your commute, making it to pick-up on time could be a stressful squeeze.
Customer Reviews
He loves it!
My son Carter started here last January and he loves it! He started out with Ms Shaquana and he absolutely adored her ! He has since moved up and loves him some Ms Faye and Rachael. I’ve seen tremendous growth from him and they have also helped with getting him potty trained.
- Jayde Reese | Google Review
I appreciate all the ladies at the center
My son has been here for almost 2 years and he loves all his teachers from ms. sheila always giving him a personable good morning/welcome everyday to his awesome classroom teachers ms.carolyn, ms. shaton and ms. gege. I appreciate all the ladies at the center and owner ms dominique for always being so kind.
- Zykeria Battle | Google Review
