Daycare in Richmond VA
Choosing a daycare in Richmond comes down to the same few questions for most families: who has a strong track record with parents, what hours fit your commute, and how far you are willing to drive. This guide ranks the highest-rated daycares and preschools across the Richmond area, from the city itself out to Midlothian, Glen Allen and North Chesterfield, using the parent reviews on each listing.
Most Richmond-area centers open around 7:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM, and several on this list open at 6:00 or 6:30 AM. Infant rooms fill first, so it is worth calling two or three centers on your shortlist early. The full directory of Richmond daycares sits below the rankings if you want to browse everything.
How we rank
We start from the Google parent reviews on every Richmond-area 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 Centers that are closed or unpublished are left out, and we label every pick with its town so you know exactly where it is.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 the Richmond area
- Promise Care Child Development Center (Richmond): 5.0 stars (32 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The top-scoring center inside the city, with a perfect rating across more than 30 reviews. Parents point to long-tenured staff and a faith-based, family feel.
- The Goddard School of Richmond (Richmond): 5.0 stars (30 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 30 reviews. Families describe a close community of teachers and parents around a play-based curriculum.
- The Goddard School of Midlothian (Walton Park) (Midlothian): 4.9 stars (66 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. One of the most-reviewed centers in the region, holding a 4.9 across 66 reviews.
- Kiddie Academy of Midlothian (Midlothian): 4.9 stars (57 reviews), open 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM. A 4.9 across 57 reviews, with some of the longest hours on this list for commuting parents.
- Nuckols KinderCare (Glen Allen): 4.9 stars (49 reviews), open 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM. The top pick in western Henrico, rated 4.9 across 49 reviews and open 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
- Learning Playhouse (North Chesterfield): 5.0 stars (15 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 15 reviews.
- A Child's Place Preschools (Midlothian): 4.8 stars (79 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM. The most-reviewed center on our Richmond-area list (79 reviews). Parents mention daily photo updates and family events.
- Deep Run Child Development Center (Richmond): 5.0 stars (10 reviews), open 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A perfect 5.0 across 10 reviews, praised for a tight-knit atmosphere and personal attention.
- New Direction Childcare (Richmond): 4.8 stars (40 reviews), open 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. A 4.8 across 40 reviews and a 6:00 AM opening. Parents highlight how well it supports children of all abilities.
- Primrose School of Midlothian Village (Midlothian): 4.8 stars (32 reviews), open 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM. A 4.8 across 32 reviews, open 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Also worth a look inside the city: Bright Horizons at Henrico is rated 5.0 (7 reviews) and keeps the longest hours we list in Richmond, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Village Montessori Academy (5.0, 5 reviews) offers a Montessori program in a wooded garden setting.
Richmond daycare FAQ
How much does daycare cost in Richmond, 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. Prices in the Richmond area vary widely by provider and by your child's age: infant rooms cost the most, and family day homes are often less than large centers. Always confirm current tuition, registration fees and waitlist policies with each provider.
What hours do Richmond daycares keep?
Most Richmond-area centers run roughly 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Several open earlier: New Direction Childcare opens at 6:00 AM, and Kiddie Academy of Midlothian, Nuckols KinderCare and Primrose School of Midlothian Village run 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Bright Horizons at Henrico is open until 8:00 PM. Each listing on this page shows that provider's hours.
How do I check whether a Richmond 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.
Why does a list for Richmond include Midlothian and Glen Allen?
Many Richmond families commute across Chesterfield and Henrico, so we rank the whole area together and label each pick with its town. If you need a center inside city limits, the Richmond picks are Promise Care, The Goddard School of Richmond, Deep Run and New Direction.
How were these rankings decided?
We score every Richmond-area listing on its average parent rating and the number of reviews behind that rating, and leave out centers that are closed or unpublished. No provider pays to be included or ranked.