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Marion County · Florida

Ocala at a glance

116 licensed child care providers in Ocala, 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 Ocala

Ocala is the seat of Marion County, in North Central Florida between Gainesville and Orlando. The city is best known as the horse capital of the world, with a large equestrian and thoroughbred-breeding industry that shapes both the economy and the surrounding rural landscape, and it also anchors a growing logistics and retirement services corridor.

Neighborhoods and districts spread from historic downtown Ocala to the older residential grid on the northeast side, and out to the newer subdivisions near On Top of the World and the SW 27th Avenue growth corridor. Many families work at AdventHealth Ocala, at the logistics parks near I-75, or in the horse industry itself. The licensed provider directory includes accredited centers, faith-based programs, and family day care homes across a wide footprint.

Ocala averages

Averaged across every provider on record.

Parent sentiment

+0.2 vs Florida average

Average parent review rating on Google or Yelp.

  • Ocala3.6
  • Florida3.4

60 providers sampled

Daycare Index Rating

-5 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.

  • Ocala49
  • Florida55

116 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 Ocala Daycares

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

Most Loved by Ocala 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.

    • Building Blocks Of Ocala Preschool

      3731 NE 7th St, Ocala FL, 34470

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission

    • Episcopal Children's Services Howard Head Start

      306 NW 7th Ave, Ocala FL, 34475

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Ocala's Best After School Program

      Ocala's Best After School Program

      3233 SE Maricamp Rd Ste 101, Ocala FL, 34471

      4.9(87)Yelp(0)
      Center-based
    • Photo of GraceWay Academy

      GraceWay Academy

      2255 SE 38th St, Ocala FL, 34480

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
    • Photo of Grace Christian School Ocala

      Grace Christian School Ocala

      4410 SE 3rd Ave, Ocala FL, 34480

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Faith-basedCenter-based
    • Photo of Marion Oakes Christian Academy Preschool

      Marion Oakes Christian Academy Preschool

      399 Marion Oaks Ln, Ocala FL, 34473

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based
    • Photo of Redeemer Christian School

      Redeemer Christian School

      155 SW 87th Pl, Ocala FL 34476-7109

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Faith-basedCenter-based
    • Photo of St. John Lutheran School

      St. John Lutheran School

      1915 SE Lake Weir Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Episcopal Children's Services: Thelma Griffith Center

      1601 NE 25th Ave, Ocala FL, 34470

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Gold SealHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
    • Photo of Ocala First Preschool, Inc

      Ocala First Preschool, Inc

      1126 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala FL, 34470

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKFaith-basedCenter-based

    • Harris Family Day Care Home

      719 NE 26th St, Ocala FL, 34470

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Marion Afterschool Program - Marion Charter School

      39 Cedar Rd, Ocala FL, 34472

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Marion County Afterschool Program - Fessenden Elementary School

      4200 NW 89th Pl, Ocala FL 34482-1542

      (0)Yelp(0)
      VPKHead StartCenter-based

    • Young Family Day Care Home

      2510 NE 3rd Ave, Ocala FL, 34470

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Adams Family Day Care Home

      604 SE 49th Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Boys and Girls Club of Marion County- Silver Springs Shores

      674 Silver Rd, Ocala FL, 34472

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Capstone Academy And Preschool

      7794 SW 60th Ave, Ocala FL, 34476

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Home Away From Home

      5009 SE 4th St, Ocala FL, 34471

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Isabel Donken Family Day Care Home

      1627 SW 30th Ct, Ocala FL, 34474

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Love 'Em Like Family Child Care Home

      6150 SE 5th Pl, Ocala FL, 34472

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Marion County Public Schools – Marion Technical Institute VPK

      1614 E Fort King St, Ocala FL, 34471

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Center-based

    • Martinez Family Day Care Home LLC

      6430 SW 145th Ln, Ocala FL, 34473

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

    • Mayz Family Day Care Home

      636 Marion Oaks Blvd, Ocala FL, 34473

      (0)Yelp(0)
      Home daycare

116 daycares in Ocala

  • Photo of Ocala's Best After School Program

    Ocala's Best After School Program

    3233 SE Maricamp Rd Ste 101, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.9(87)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Fantastic Kids

    Fantastic Kids

    1606 NE 22nd Ave, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.7(182)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
  • Photo of Tiny Tykes Child Care

    Tiny Tykes Child Care

    3111 NE 14th St, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.7(81)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission
  • Photo of Alphabet Land Learning Center

    Alphabet Land Learning Center

    2147 SW Highway 484, Ocala FL, 34473

    4.6(113)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Busy Bees Learning Center

    Busy Bees Learning Center

    6760 W Highway 40, Ocala FL, 34482

    4.8(32)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Kidz R Us Childcare & Learning Center

    Kidz R Us Childcare & Learning Center

    520 SW 10th Pl Unit 105, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.7(46)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of HIS HANDS FOR LITTLE HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC

    HIS HANDS FOR LITTLE HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER LLC

    1842 SE 11th Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

    5.0(17)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Kids Kampus of Cala Hills Inc

    Kids Kampus of Cala Hills Inc

    2130 SW 22nd Pl #200, Ocala FL 34471-7754

    4.5(174)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Triumphant Tots Inc

    Triumphant Tots Inc

    1425 NE 63rd St, Ocala FL, 34479

    5.0(16)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of A Step Above Learning Academy Inc

    A Step Above Learning Academy Inc

    5760 SE 41st St Ste B, Ocala FL, 34480

    5.0(13)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of All Stars Learning Academy

    All Stars Learning Academy

    2441 W Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala FL, 34475

    4.5(73)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based

  • Anointed Hands Developmental Center 2 LLC

    10511 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala FL, 34472

    4.8(19)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Little World, Big Creation's LLC

    Little World, Big Creation's LLC

    40 Juniper Pass Trl, Ocala FL, 34480

    5.0(12)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare
  • Photo of Future Stars Preschool Academy

    Future Stars Preschool Academy

    2746 NE 14th St, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.4(72)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Family Ties Child Center III Inc

    Family Ties Child Center III Inc

    3230 SE 58th Ave, Ocala FL, 34480

    4.6(20)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Toddler Town Academy LLC

    Toddler Town Academy LLC

    2650 NW 2nd St 200, Ocala FL, 34475

    5.0(8)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Future Stars Academy Of Ocala, LLC

    Future Stars Academy Of Ocala, LLC

    1945 SW 31st Ave, Ocala FL, 34474

    4.4(39)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of Creative Beginnings Preschool

    Creative Beginnings Preschool

    5870 SE 85th Ln, Ocala FL, 34472

    4.3(107)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based

  • Preschool @ The Springs

    5424 SE 58th Ave, Ocala FL, 34480

    4.8(9)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Creative Learning Preschool LLC

    Creative Learning Preschool LLC

    5285 SW 1st Ln, Ocala FL, 34474

    4.4(27)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of ACADEMIC ADVENTURES LEARNING CENTER

    ACADEMIC ADVENTURES LEARNING CENTER

    2125 NE 2nd St, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.3(50)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Future Scholars Academy Of Ocala Inc.

    Future Scholars Academy Of Ocala Inc.

    5854 SE 5th St Unit 5, Ocala FL, 34472

    4.6(10)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of NANA'S EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY, LLC

    NANA'S EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY, LLC

    2801 SW 20th St Ste 101 & 104, Ocala FL 34474

    4.6(10)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Creative Christian Preschool & Learning Center

    Creative Christian Preschool & Learning Center

    3310 SE Lake Weir Ave Ocala FL 34471-6702

    5.0(5)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Skate Mania Aftercare

    Skate Mania Aftercare

    5461 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala FL, 34480

    4.2(508)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Imagination Station Learning Academy LLC

    Imagination Station Learning Academy LLC

    1250 NE 35th St, Ocala FL, 34479

    4.6(9)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Loving Care Preschool

    Loving Care Preschool

    2750 SE Maricamp Rd, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.6(8)Yelp(0)
    Faith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of The Academy At Downtown Ocala

    The Academy At Downtown Ocala

    819 SE 1st Ter, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.2(104)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKCenter-basedAccredited · National Association for the Education of Young Children
  • Photo of Infinte Trickz Academy

    Infinte Trickz Academy

    3610 NE 42nd Ln, Ocala FL, 34479

    5.0(4)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of C & B Tiny Miracles Christian Learning Center

    C & B Tiny Miracles Christian Learning Center

    1021 NW 10th St, Ocala FL, 34475

    4.5(8)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Episcopal Children's Services Boynton Head Start

    Episcopal Children's Services Boynton Head Start

    1701 NW 10th St, Ocala FL, 34475

    4.5(8)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment
  • Photo of St Paul's Christian School

    St Paul's Christian School

    800 SE 41st Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.8(4)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKFaith-basedCenter-basedAccredited · Christian Preschool Association (FKA UMAP)
  • Photo of Elevate Early Learning Academy, Ocala

    Elevate Early Learning Academy, Ocala

    180 SE 35th St, Ocala FL, 34471

    5.0(3)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Generation Academy Of Ocala

    Generation Academy Of Ocala

    1827 NE 14th St, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.2(17)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Boys and Girls Club of Marion County - DL Harrelll

    Boys and Girls Club of Marion County - DL Harrelll

    800 SW 12th Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.3(8)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Little Trunk Big Adventures In Home Childcare

    Little Trunk Big Adventures In Home Childcare

    3493 NE 38th Ln, Ocala FL, 34479

    4.2(10)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare
  • Photo of Highlands Baptist Learning Center

    Highlands Baptist Learning Center

    3530 E Fort King St, Ocala FL, 34470

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Faith-basedCenter-based
  • Photo of Sunshine Academy of Marion County, LLC

    Sunshine Academy of Marion County, LLC

    2119 Pine Rd, Ocala FL, 34472

    5.0(1)Yelp(0)
    Center-based
  • Photo of Ponder's Christian Learning Center LLC

    Ponder's Christian Learning Center LLC

    3602 SE 7th St, Ocala FL, 34471

    4.1(14)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Spirit Of Love Childcare Centers, Inc.

    Spirit Of Love Childcare Centers, Inc.

    4628 W Anthony Rd, Ocala FL, 34475

    4.1(11)Yelp(0)
    VPKCenter-based
  • Photo of Kids Academy, Inc.

    Kids Academy, Inc.

    2514 NE 12th Ct, Ocala FL, 34470

    4.0(11)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment

  • ABC Academy Child Care and Learning Center

    13865 SW 36th Avenue Rd, Ocala FL, 34473

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • ALL MY CHILDREN FAMILY CHILD CARE LLC

    5490 NW 13th Pl, Ocala FL, 34482

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Adams Family Day Care Home

    604 SE 49th Ave, Ocala FL, 34471

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Angels Are Us Child Care

    5318 NW 12th St, Ocala FL, 34482

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Blessed Trinity Angel In Arms Day Care Center

    33 SW 16th Pl, Ocala FL, 34471

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKFaith-basedCenter-based

  • Boys and Girls Club of Marion County- Silver Springs Shores

    674 Silver Rd, Ocala FL, 34472

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Bright Beginning Daycare

    15 Juniper Loop Run, Ocala FL, 34480

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Bright Stars Family Day Care Home LLC

    2261 SW 146th Loop, Ocala FL, 34473

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Brooks Family Day Care Home

    5 Larch Trak, Ocala FL, 34480

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Building Blocks Of Ocala Preschool

    3731 NE 7th St, Ocala FL, 34470

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealVPKHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · National Accreditation Commission

  • Capstone Academy And Preschool

    7794 SW 60th Ave, Ocala FL, 34476

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Crayola Kidz Learning Academy

    2614 NW 21st St, Ocala FL, 34475

    (0)Yelp(0)
    VPKHome daycare

  • DCF

    26 Hemlock Terrace Crse, Ocala FL, 34472

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Discovery Preschool Academy Inc.

    7880 SW 103rd Street Rd 301, Ocala FL, 34476

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

  • Episcopal Children's Services Howard Head Start

    306 NW 7th Ave, Ocala FL, 34475

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

  • Episcopal Children's Services, Inc. EHS/HS Skylark

    1601 NE 25th Ave Ste 900, Ocala FL, 34470

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

  • Episcopal Children's Services: Thelma Griffith Center

    1601 NE 25th Ave, Ocala FL, 34470

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Gold SealHead StartCenter-basedAccredited · Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment

  • Felton Family Day Care Home

    6402 Pecan Crse, Ocala FL, 34472

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Home daycare

  • Fordham Early Learning Academy

    4000 W Anthony Rd, Ocala FL, 34475

    (0)Yelp(0)
    Center-based

More daycares in Ocala

56 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 Ocala, Florida?

As of the latest Florida Department of Children and Families sync, there are 116 licensed child care providers within the Ocala city limits, in Marion County. Verify current status at myflfamilies.com, which is the authoritative record.

How many Ocala daycares offer VPK?

49 of the 116 licensed providers in Ocala 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 Ocala daycares hold Gold Seal accreditation?

13 providers in Ocala 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 Ocala daycares accept Florida School Readiness subsidies?

64 providers in Ocala 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 Ocala?

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

How often are Ocala 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 Ocala daycares child care centers or family day care homes?

Of the 116 licensed providers in Ocala, roughly 83 are licensed child care centers or facilities and roughly 31 are family day care homes. The remaining providers hold other DCF license classifications.

How do I verify a Ocala 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.