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Alachua County · Florida

Gainesville at a glance

141 licensed child care providers in Gainesville, drawn from the state licensing agency's public records. Each profile carries the license number, status, and capacity on record. Where the state publishes nothing for a field, or the daycare is not licensed, the profile says so plainly.

About licensed daycares in Gainesville

Gainesville is the seat of Alachua County and one of the largest college towns in the Southeast, anchored by the University of Florida and UF Health Shands. The city's population and daily rhythm are shaped by the academic calendar, and a substantial share of families are affiliated with the university, the teaching hospital, or the growing biomedical and startup community.

Neighborhoods like Duckpond, Haile Plantation, Kanapaha, Northwest Gainesville near I-75, and the areas around the UF campus each have their own child care needs. Faculty and graduate-student families often look for programs that accommodate research schedules and international backgrounds. The licensed provider directory includes accredited centers near the medical campus, faith-based programs across the older grid, and family day care homes throughout residential Gainesville.

Gainesville averages

Averaged across every provider on record.

Parent sentiment

+0.3 vs Florida average

Average parent review rating on Google or Yelp.

  • Gainesville3.7
  • Florida3.4

66 providers sampled

Daycare Index Rating

+12 vs Florida average

Average Daycare Index Rating across the providers here that carry a score. Each score is built only from the public record available for that provider, and whatever the data cannot answer is excluded rather than guessed at. See scoring guide.

  • Gainesville67
  • Florida55

141 providers sampled

Top 10 Google RatingsYelp

Bayesian-adjusted so review volume matters, not just stars.

Top 10 Safety Ratings

Ranked by the composite Daycare Confidence Index.

Most-Reviewed Gainesville Daycares

Raw review volume. Not a quality signal on its own.

Most Loved by Gainesville ParentsYelp

Trust-adjusted parent rating, so review volume counts.

Highest-confidence providers

Ranked by the overall Confidence Index: the regulatory record, parent reviews, accreditation, staff qualifications, and how much each provider publishes about itself. How scoring works.

    • Baby Gator Child Development And Research Center At The University Of Florida

      793 Corry Cir, Gainesville FL, 32612

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Association for the Education of Young Children

    • Oh To Be Kids

      7383 SW 17th Rd, Gainesville FL, 32607

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
    • Photo of Gainesville Country Day School 2

      Gainesville Country Day School 2

      6801 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32607

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
    • Photo of Limitless Adventures

      Limitless Adventures

      5201 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville FL, 32605

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based
    • Photo of Norton Elementary

      Norton Elementary

      2200 NW 45th Ave Gainesville FL 32605-1331

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKCenter-based

    • O2B Kids College 4

      1555 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
    • Photo of Papallo Large Family Child Care Home

      Papallo Large Family Child Care Home

      4145 NW 30th Ter, Gainesville FL, 32605

      5.0(1)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealAccredited · National Association for Family Child CareLarge Family Child Care Home
    • Photo of CHILD Center For Early Learning

      CHILD Center For Early Learning

      820 SW 62nd Ter, Gainesville FL, 32607

      4.7(57)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
    • Photo of Persimmon Early Learning Academy, LLC

      Persimmon Early Learning Academy, LLC

      1121 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

      4.9(15)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Abacus Learning Center

      Abacus Learning Center

      5205 SW 91st Dr, Gainesville FL, 32608

      4.5(50)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Green Apple Accreditation of Children Services

    • Baby Gator Child Development & Research Center At The University Of Florida

      305 Diamond Vlg Apt 17, Gainesville FL, 32603

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealCenter-basedAccredited · National Association for the Education of Young Children

    • Episcopal Children's Services, Inc. Eden Park Head Start

      1340 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Granny D's Learning Center

      Granny D's Learning Center

      901 SE 1st Ave, Gainesville FL, 32601

      5.0(3)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Individualized Teaching Modalities

      Individualized Teaching Modalities

      1208 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based
    • Photo of Millhopper Montessori School, LLC

      Millhopper Montessori School, LLC

      8505 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32606

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Mitchell Large Family Child Care Home

      521 NE 12th Ct, Gainesville FL, 32601

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealAccredited · National Association for Family Child CareLarge Family Child Care Home

    • Pierre Large Family Child Care Home

      2908 NE 17th Dr, Gainesville FL, 32609

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealAccredited · National Association for Family Child CareLarge Family Child Care Home
    • Photo of Queen of Peace Academy

      Queen of Peace Academy

      10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32607

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Faith-basedCenter-based
    • Photo of The Kidz House

      The Kidz House

      4232 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32609

      4.9(57)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Grace Christian Prep School LLC

      Grace Christian Prep School LLC

      207 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

      5.0(4)Yelp(0)
      VPKCenter-based

    • Inspiring Learning Academy

      5000 NW 34th Blvd Ste 15-18, Gainesville FL, 32605

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKCenter-based

    • Joyce Vinson Large Family Child Care

      1215 NE 18th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKLarge Family Child Care Home
    • Photo of Kid's Culture Learning Academy Llc

      Kid's Culture Learning Academy Llc

      7230 SW 18th Pl, Gainesville FL, 32607

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare
    • Photo of Lil Scholars Learning Academy

      Lil Scholars Learning Academy

      3520 NW 13th St, Gainesville FL, 32609

      5.0(6)Yelp(0)
      Center-based
    • Photo of Okito America

      Okito America

      6900 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville FL, 32608

      4.9(169)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

141 daycares in Gainesville

  • Photo of Okito America

    Okito America

    6900 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville FL, 32608

    4.9(169)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of The Kidz House

    The Kidz House

    4232 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32609

    4.9(57)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Open Arms Child Development Center

    Open Arms Child Development Center

    1823 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32603

    4.8(41)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of CHILD Center For Early Learning

    CHILD Center For Early Learning

    820 SW 62nd Ter, Gainesville FL, 32607

    4.7(57)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
  • Photo of O2b Kids Newberry Park

    O2b Kids Newberry Park

    12186 NW 7th Pl, Gainesville FL, 32607

    4.8(36)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
  • Photo of Orange Blossom Prep

    Orange Blossom Prep

    6200 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville FL, 32608

    4.7(40)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Education Station & Preschool

    Education Station & Preschool

    2411 NW 41st St, Gainesville FL, 32606

    5.0(16)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Sun Country Sports - Millhopper

    Sun Country Sports - Millhopper

    4010 NW 27th Ln Gainesville FL 32606

    4.6(38)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Persimmon Early Learning Academy, LLC

    Persimmon Early Learning Academy, LLC

    1121 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    4.9(15)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Imagine Learning Center

    Imagine Learning Center

    4840 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32606

    5.0(12)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of First Presbyterian Church Of Gainesville, Inc

    First Presbyterian Church Of Gainesville, Inc

    106 SW 3rd St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    4.6(33)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Abacus Learning Center

    Abacus Learning Center

    5205 SW 91st Dr, Gainesville FL, 32608

    4.5(50)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Green Apple Accreditation of Children Services
  • Photo of Holy Trinity Episcopal School

    Holy Trinity Episcopal School

    301 N Main St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(10)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of The Child's Garden

    The Child's Garden

    1497 NW 16th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

    4.5(23)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Gainesville Circus Center

    Gainesville Circus Center

    1925 NW 2nd St Ste B, Gainesville FL, 32609

    4.4(40)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Flowers Montessori School Inc

    Flowers Montessori School Inc

    3111 NW 31st Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

    4.7(12)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of A World Of Angels Of Gainesville Inc

    A World Of Angels Of Gainesville Inc

    1119 NW 42nd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

    5.0(7)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Lil Scholars Learning Academy

    Lil Scholars Learning Academy

    3520 NW 13th St, Gainesville FL, 32609

    5.0(6)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Girls Place, Inc

    Girls Place, Inc

    2101 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

    4.4(23)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Gainesville Empowerment Zone Family Learning Center

    Gainesville Empowerment Zone Family Learning Center

    1250 NE 18th Ave Bldg 11, Gainesville FL, 32609

    4.6(11)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of B'nai Israel Community Day School

    B'nai Israel Community Day School

    3830 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville FL, 32605

    4.4(21)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Cedarville Global Community School

    Cedarville Global Community School

    2530 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

    4.6(10)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Angel's Christian Academy Llc

    Angel's Christian Academy Llc

    1805 SE Hawthorne Rd, Gainesville FL, 32641

    5.0(5)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Elevate Early Learning Academy, Gainesville

    Elevate Early Learning Academy, Gainesville

    1127 NW 7th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(5)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Lynch Family Day Care Home

    Lynch Family Day Care Home

    6908 SW 46th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32608

    5.0(5)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare
  • Photo of The Sprouting Center

    The Sprouting Center

    3215 SW 62nd Ln, Gainesville FL, 32608

    5.0(5)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare
  • Photo of St. Anne Early Learning Center

    St. Anne Early Learning Center

    4300 Newberry Rd, Gainesville FL, 32607

    4.3(36)Yelp(0)
    VPKHead StartFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Grace Christian Prep School LLC

    Grace Christian Prep School LLC

    207 NW 23rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

    5.0(4)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Kidworks Preschool

    Kidworks Preschool

    3003 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32653

    4.3(17)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Granny D's Learning Center

    Granny D's Learning Center

    901 SE 1st Ave, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(3)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Morning Meadow Preschool Inc

    Morning Meadow Preschool Inc

    813 NW 6th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(3)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Yes I Can Kids Academy Inc

    Yes I Can Kids Academy Inc

    1734 SE Hawthorne Rd, Gainesville FL, 32641

    5.0(3)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida - Northwest

    Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida - Northwest

    2661 NW 51st St Gainesville FL 32606-6549

    4.3(14)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Blue Wave After School Program

    Blue Wave After School Program

    1080 SW 11th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(2)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Rising Star Educational Academy #1

    Rising Star Educational Academy #1

    1938 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville FL, 32609

    4.4(5)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKFaith-basedCenter-basedAccredited · Florida Coalition of Christian Private Schools Accreditation, Inc.
  • Photo of Fearnside Family Services Center Head Start

    Fearnside Family Services Center Head Start

    3600 NE 15th St, Gainesville FL 32609-2484

    4.3(4)Yelp(0)
    Head StartCenter-based
  • Photo of A to Z Professional Childcare Academy, LLC

    A to Z Professional Childcare Academy, LLC

    1645 NE 8th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32641

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Episcopal Children's Services, Inc Highlands Head Start

    Episcopal Children's Services, Inc Highlands Head Start

    1132 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32601

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment

  • Little Warriors Day School, LLC

    1520 NW 34th St, Gainesville FL, 32605

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Lyria's Loving Daycare

    Lyria's Loving Daycare

    104 SE 24th St, Gainesville FL, 32641

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealAccredited · National Association for Family Child CareLarge Family Child Care Home
  • Photo of Papallo Large Family Child Care Home

    Papallo Large Family Child Care Home

    4145 NW 30th Ter, Gainesville FL, 32605

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealAccredited · National Association for Family Child CareLarge Family Child Care Home
  • Photo of Train Up A Child Academy

    Train Up A Child Academy

    1420 SE 23rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32641

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare
  • Photo of Small Steps Institute, Llc

    Small Steps Institute, Llc

    5930 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville FL, 32608

    4.2(5)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Heavenly Kids Academy

    Heavenly Kids Academy

    309 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32609

    4.1(8)Yelp(0)
    Faith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Sonshine Day Preschool

    Sonshine Day Preschool

    10000 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville FL 32606-5544

    4.0(8)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Stepping Stones Preschool

    Stepping Stones Preschool

    4000 NW 53rd Ave, Gainesville FL, 32653

    4.0(4)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Makerie Afterschool

    3536 NW 8th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32605

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • A Brighter Beginning Day Care, LLC

    1324 SE 38th Pl, Gainesville FL, 32641

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • A Child's Academy

    3401 NW 34th St, Gainesville FL, 32605

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealFaith-basedCenter-basedAccredited · Green Apple Accreditation of Children Services

  • Aces in Motion After School Program

    810 NW 8th St, Gainesville FL, 32601

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Addison-Bryant Large Family Child Care Home

    1816 SE 50th St, Gainesville FL, 32641

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Large Family Child Care Home

  • Alachua County Schools - Hidden Oak Elementary

    2100 Fort Clarke Blvd Gainesville FL 32606-7107

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Kimball Wiles Elementary

    4601 SW 75th St, Gainesville FL, 32608

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKHead StartCenter-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Lake Forest Elementary

    4401 SE 4th Ave, Gainesville FL, 32641

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKHead StartCenter-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Lawton Chiles Elementary

    2525 School House Rd Gainesville FL 32608-8645

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Rawlings Elementary

    3500 Me 15 Street, Gainesville FL 32609

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKHead StartCenter-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Talbot Elementary

    5701 NW 43rd St Gainesville FL 32653-3331

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based

  • Alachua County Schools - Terwilliger Elementary

    301 NW 62nd St, Gainesville FL 32607-2003

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKHead StartCenter-based

  • Baby Gator Child Development & Research Center At The University Of Florida

    305 Diamond Vlg Apt 17, Gainesville FL, 32603

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealCenter-basedAccredited · National Association for the Education of Young Children

  • Baby Gator Child Development And Research Center At The University Of Florida

    793 Corry Cir, Gainesville FL, 32612

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Association for the Education of Young Children

More daycares in Gainesville

81 more, in the same order as the cards above. Each name opens that provider’s licence record, inspections and parent reviews.

Parents ask

Frequently asked

How many licensed daycares are in Gainesville, Florida?

As of the latest Florida Department of Children and Families sync, there are 141 licensed child care providers within the Gainesville city limits, in Alachua County. Verify current status at myflfamilies.com, which is the authoritative record.

How many Gainesville daycares offer VPK?

49 of the 141 licensed providers in Gainesville currently offer Florida's free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program for 4-year-olds — filter by the VPK badge on the sidebar to see them.

How many Gainesville daycares hold Gold Seal accreditation?

34 providers in Gainesville hold Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care designation, which requires an outside quality accreditation above the DCF licensing minimum. Filter by the Gold Seal chip to see them.

Which Gainesville daycares accept Florida School Readiness subsidies?

73 providers in Gainesville are on record as offering the Florida School Readiness subsidized child care program. Filter by the School Readiness chip to see the current list.

Are there Head Start programs in Gainesville?

11 providers participate in the federal Head Start program in Gainesville. Head Start serves income-eligible children ages 3 to 5 at no cost to the family.

How often are Gainesville daycares inspected by DCF?

Licensed child care facilities in Florida are inspected at least three times per year by the Florida Department of Children and Families, plus additional visits in response to complaints or reported incidents. Every routine inspection recorded by DCF appears on the daycare's profile page on this site.

Are most Gainesville daycares child care centers or family day care homes?

Of the 141 licensed providers in Gainesville, roughly 107 are licensed child care centers or facilities and roughly 22 are family day care homes. The remaining providers hold other DCF license classifications.

How do I verify a Gainesville daycare's current license status?

Every daycare profile on this site links back to the Florida Department of Children and Families public license lookup. Before enrolling, verify the current license status, capacity, and any open corrective actions directly at myflfamilies.com. The DCF record is authoritative and more current than anything published here.