Daycare in Arlington VA

Arlington is one of the most competitive child care markets in Virginia. Demand is high, infant rooms often run waitlists, and prices sit well above the state average. This guide ranks the highest-rated daycares and preschools inside Arlington, from Courthouse and Ballston to Rosslyn and Crystal City, using the parent reviews on each listing.

We have noted hours and review counts for each pick so you can build a shortlist quickly and call before spots fill. The full directory of Arlington daycares sits below the rankings.

How we rank

We start from the Google parent reviews on every Arlington listing in our directory. Each center is scored on both its average rating and how many reviews stand behind it, so a 4.9 across 60 reviews outranks a 5.0 from two or three parents. Centers that are closed or unpublished are left out, and we label every pick with its town so you know exactly where it is. Nobody pays to be ranked.

Last updated October 16, 2026.

Top 10 daycares in Arlington

1. Ladybug Academy Courthouse (Courthouse): 5.0 stars (19 reviews), open 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM. The top-scoring center in Arlington, with a perfect 5.0 across 19 reviews.
2. Sparkles! Child Care Centers at Crystal City (Crystal City): 4.9 stars (37 reviews), open 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM. A 4.9 across 37 reviews, and the longest day on this list at 6:30 AM to 7:00 PM.
3. Arlington Unitarian Cooperative Preschool (AUCP): 4.9 stars (34 reviews), open 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. A long-running cooperative preschool rated 4.9 across 34 reviews. It is a half-day program where parents help in the classroom.
4. Rosslyn Childrens Center (Rosslyn): 5.0 stars (14 reviews), open 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 14 reviews. Parents credit low staff turnover and a steady leadership team.
5. Crystal City Children's Center (Crystal City): 5.0 stars (14 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 14 reviews, known for daily outdoor time and nature walks.
6. VINCI School Arlington: 5.0 stars (13 reviews), open 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 13 reviews, with a more academic program and a hands-on director.
7. Busy Bee Daycare and Educational center: 5.0 stars (13 reviews), open 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 13 reviews and very low staff turnover.
8. A Plus Kids "Fun & Creative Learning Center": 5.0 stars (12 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 12 reviews, with bilingual instruction.
9. Elibunny family child care: 5.0 stars (11 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM. The top-rated family day home in Arlington, with a perfect 5.0 across 11 reviews.
10. Wonder Kids Learning Center: 5.0 stars (11 reviews), open 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 11 reviews, with a Spanish curriculum.

Highly rated just outside Arlington: The Goddard School of Alexandria (West) in Alexandria holds a 4.9 across 251 reviews, the most of any center near Arlington. Mamá Luz Family Daycare in Falls Church is a family day home rated 5.0 across 16 reviews.

Arlington daycare FAQ

How much does daycare cost in Arlington, VA?

Child Care Aware of America puts the average Virginia price for full-time infant care in a center at about $16,800 a year (roughly $1,400 a month, 2024 data), with toddler care a little lower. Arlington and the rest of Northern Virginia run well above that statewide average, and infant care costs the most. Family day homes are often less expensive than larger centers. Always confirm current tuition, fees and waitlist policies with each provider.

What hours do Arlington daycares keep?

Most Arlington centers run roughly 7:00 or 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Sparkles! Child Care Centers at Crystal City opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 7:00 PM, and Pathways Learning Academy at Ballston Quarter runs 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Some cooperative preschools, like AUCP, are half-day programs. Each listing on this page shows that provider's hours.

How do I check whether an Arlington daycare is licensed?

Child care in Virginia is licensed and inspected by the Virginia Department of Education. Its Search for Child Care tool shows each provider's license status, capacity, age range and inspection reports, including any violations. Licensed centers are inspected at least twice a year.

What is the difference between a daycare center and a family day home?

Centers are larger, with separate classrooms by age and more staff. Family day homes run out of the provider's home with smaller, often mixed-age groups and more flexible schedules. Both appear in our Arlington rankings: Elibunny is a family day home, while Ladybug Academy and Sparkles are centers.

How were these rankings decided?

We score every Arlington listing on its average parent rating and the number of reviews behind that rating, and leave out centers that are closed, unpublished, or outside Arlington. No provider pays to be included or ranked.