best-daycares-ottawa
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5 Best Daycares in Ottawa for Peace of Mind and Happy Kids

  • Affordable Pricing: We compared daycare costs across various facilities to find options that provide excellent care while being accessible for different budgets.
  • Parental Reviews: We focused on daycares with consistently positive feedback about staff, programming, and overall satisfaction from parents.
  • Educational Programs and Activities: We prioritized facilities that offer enriching, play-based learning activities and structured programs to promote child development.
  • Qualified Caregivers: Centers with licensed and experienced staff were favored to guarantee professional and nurturing care.
  • Flexible Scheduling: We looked for daycares that accommodate parents' varying schedules with options like part-time care or extended hours.

Parenting can feel like a never-ending juggling act. For me, that moment came during a rainy afternoon when I was trying to finish a work deadline while my toddler gleefully emptied an entire box of cereal onto the floor. 

That’s when I realized: I needed some help. But not just at any random place – I wanted a place where my child could thrive, build friendships, and have experiences that would make them excited to go back every day.

So, I asked friends, met up with other parents, and toured around town looking for the best options. Finally, I came up with a list of the best daycares in Ottawa. 

Whether you’re looking for flexible hours, nurturing care, or a great curriculum, these spots are worth checking out.

How much do daycares cost in Ottawa?

Daycare in Ottawa costs anywhere from $30 to $50 per day for home-based services, while more premium centers can go up to $1,500 per month. 
Infant care tends to be the most expensive, with rates gradually decreasing for toddlers and preschoolers.

1. Wee Watch Licensed Home Child Care

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ADDRESS500 Claridge Dr #105, Ottawa
CONTACT NUMBER+1 613-825-9425
WEBSITEhttps://weewatch.com/parents/child-care-services-ottawa/
BUSINESS HOURSMonday to Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Wee Watch is a trusted name that has been offering a cozy and nurturing environment for younger children for the past 40 years. They were even awarded the platinum and gold awards for the “Childcare Services” and “Daycare” categories by Community Votes in 2024.

We love that all of their caregivers are thoroughly vetted and licensed, ensuring a professional approach to childcare. All their staff also undergo a recognized Standard First Aid and CPR-C training course, so they’re prepared for any emergencies.

Parents that we’ve talked to also love the flexibility in scheduling compared to other daycare centers. This lets them choose a schedule that perfectly complements their daily lives. 

Just a heads-up: spots fill up fast, so early registration is a must!

Pros

  • Over 40 years of experience
  • Awardee for Childcare Services and Daycare by Community Votes in 2024
  • Vetted and licensed caregivers
  • Standard First Aid and CPR-C training for staff
  • Flexible scheduling 

Cons

  • Slots fill up fast

Our son smoothly transitioned into daycare

“We are incredibly grateful to our provider, Hanan. Her kindness, compassion, expertise, and patience have made a world of difference for our family.

Thanks to Hanan’s support, our son smoothly transitioned into daycare. She remained patient and positive every step of the way, creating an environment where he felt safe and comfortable. Now, he absolutely loves daycare and looks forward to going every day.

Thank you, Hanan, for your exceptional care. We appreciate you more than words can express and love having you in our lives!” 

-nwankwo linda, Google Review 

I have peace of mind that my son is well taken care of while I’m at work

“Very grateful for having Lidia in our lives! She gives so much love and care to all the children she has ever cared for. With 20+ years of experience, I have peace of mind that my son is well taken care of while I’m at work. Other bonus perks are that she teaches my son Spanish and her warm delicious home made food she provides to the kids is the best! We love you Lidia.” 

-Marcela Mendoza, Google Review 

2. Little Munchkins Hideout Day Care

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ADDRESS1426 Hunt Club Rd, Ottawa
CONTACT NUMBER+1 613-321-0633
WEBSITEhttps://www.lmhd.ca/
SOCIAL MEDIAhttps://www.instagram.com/little_munchkins_childcare/
BUSINESS HOURSMonday to Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Little Munchkins Hideout has been around since 2007 and is known for combining a homely feel with structured programming. 

Their daily activities focus on early learning through play, socialization, and hands-on exploration. This means that kids can enjoy a more well-rounded curriculum that helps them develop all kinds of skills. 

Parents that we’ve talked to tell us that they also love the mix of indoor and outdoor activities designed to engage children’s creativity and motor skills. This helps give some variety and adventure to their daily play. 

Plus, the daycare operates with extended hours, catering to busy parents who need early drop-offs or late pick-ups. 

We just noticed that they’re on the pricier side. 

Pros

  • Over 18 years of experience
  • Well-rounded curriculum
  • Indoor and outdoor activities
  • Extended hours

Cons

  • Pricier 

They genuinely care about the kids

“Our daughter has been going to little Munchkins for two years now, and it’s been a wonderful experience. She started when she was just two, and over time, we’ve seen her social skills blossom. Her journey since joining the daycare has been great and she has achieved many milestones. I want to express my gratitude to Ms. Sonia for the amazing work she has been doing!. Our daughter has become more independent and her socializing and communication skills have improved significantly, which has been a great help in other areas of learning. The teacher’s caring and attentive nature creates a warm atmosphere where she feels comfortable, safe, and happy. They genuinely care about the kids, and we’re really grateful for the positive impact they’ve had on our daughter’s development.” 

-akshu msu07, Google Review 

We’re so grateful for the positive impact the daycare had on our daughter’s early development

“We absolutely loved our experience with little Munchkins Hideout Daycare. Our daughter looked forward to going there every day, and it was clear that she felt comfortable, happy, and well cared for. Sonya, the owner was always available to help, answer questions and address any concerns we had and all the educators were loving and attentive. We’re so grateful for the positive impact the daycare had on our daughter’s early development. Highly recommend this daycare to any parents looking for a safe and loving place for their children.” 

-Faten Zaguia, Google Review 

3. Kinderville Ottawa

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ADDRESS1644 Bank St, Ottawa
CONTACT NUMBER+1 613-523-8060
WEBSITEhttps://kinderville.com/ca/
BUSINESS HOURSMonday to Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Kinderville is a go-to daycare spot in Ottawa known for its focus on early childhood education. They’ve been around since 1990. 

They offer a rich curriculum that includes STEM activities, language development, and arts, setting kids up for a smooth transition into school. 

We also like that they take a tailored approach to each child’s learning experience. They consider the child’s innate interests, personalities, learning styles, strengths, and weaknesses. 

Kindervill values inclusion through their Students With SEND: Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Program. They’re all about ensuring that each child gets equal learning opportunities. 

Just note that their tuition fee is on the higher end of the spectrum. 

Pros

  • Over 35 years of experience
  • Rich curriculum
  • Tailored learning
  • Students With Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Program

Cons

  • Pricey

Tracy and the entire staff were always kind, friendly, and welcoming

“Our daughter attended Kinderville for almost 2 years, and we do not have any but GREAT things to say. To say it was a home away from home for our daughter was an understatement. Tracy and the entire staff were always kind, friendly and welcoming. The care that they provided our daughter, who was fed through a g-tube was unmatched. Thank you to Tracy and the entire Kinderville staff, we will forever be greatfull for the impression that you made on our daughters life.” 

-Andrew Jabbour, Google Review 

The staff are incredibly friendly, compassionate, and genuinely care 

“Our son has a fantastic time at Kinderville each day, he’s always excited to get to daycare! The staff regularly put on activities that keep the kids entertained and educated. The staff are incredibly friendly, compassionate and genuinely care about the kid’s wellbeing. We’d highly recommend Kinderville.” 

-Alex Pandelidis, Google Review 

4. Little Love Bugs Daycare

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ADDRESS1160 Maitland Ave, Ottawa
CONTACT NUMBER+1 613-695-7701
WEBSITEhttps://www.littlelovebugs.ca/
BUSINESS HOURSMonday to Friday: 7:30 AM - 5 PM

Little Love Bugs is a charming daycare that offers a warm, supportive environment for kids to grow and learn. 

Parents appreciate the daycare’s open communication, with daily updates and photos to keep them in the loop. This helps the parents relax, knowing that their kids are safe and in good hands. 

The kids here also enjoy delicious meals that are prepared daily at the daycare. Parents can check the weekly menu plans and ensure that their kids get a healthy and well-balanced diet. 

While it’s a smaller facility, it’s perfect for families looking for a more intimate and personal setting. Plus, the smaller group sizes ensure each child gets plenty of attention. 

Just note that since they’re not a big daycare, they can get booked up pretty fast, so it’s best to plan accordingly. 

Pros

  • Open communication and daily updates
  • Meals prepared daily
  • Intimate and personal setting
  • Smaller group sizes

Cons

  • Gets booked up fast

Our child loves it there!

“Terrific teachers, lots of great activities, and because it is in an old school there is lots of room to play inside and out. And our child loves it there!” 

-Bergen Wilde, Google Review 

All the teachers are amazing and I felt very safe about leaving my son there

“My son and I love this place. He learned so much and made so many friends. All the teachers are amazing and I felt very safe about leaving my son there.” 

-Alex, Google Review 

5. River Parkway Children’s Centre

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ADDRESS40 Cleary Ave, Ottawa
CONTACT NUMBER+1 613-729-3129
WEBSITEhttp://www.riverparkwaychildrenscentre.ca/
BUSINESS HOURSMonday: 1 AM-1 PM

River Parkway Children’s Centre has been a staple in Ottawa’s childcare scene for over 56 years, offering reliable care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. 

They offer a wide range of programs based on age, including Toddler, Junior Preschool, and Senior Preschool Programs. This is especially convenient for families who want to enroll multiple kids in the same daycare.

Even better, they also have specialty programs with unique lessons based on fun themes. For example, their Music and Movement class lets kids learn through shaking instruments, dancing, and singing as loud as they can. 

Parents can even join in for monthly events and enjoy performances from the kids. These events include holiday concerts, Mother’s Day Tea, and Father’s Day Activities. 

However, we noticed that the bigger playgroups can be a bit overstimulating for more introverted kids. 

Pros

  • Over 56 years of experience
  • Wide range of programs 
  • Specialty programs
  • Monthly events 

Cons

  • Big playgroups can be overstimulating 

 The staff are warm and welcoming

“River Parkway is an excellent daycare! We have sent two children to this Centre and could not have felt better about the care they were provided. The staff are warm and welcoming, programming is education and fun, and the Centre itself is a beautiful purpose-built building. We loved our experience with RPCC!” 

-Gemma Bonham-Carter, Google Review 

I feel secure knowing my daughter is in a safe environment and in loving hands

“I am a first time mom and a single parent, I knew what I wanted for my daughter when I was looking for a day care. River Parkway Children’s Centre has been wonderful and it has meets all of my expectations. All the staff is always greeting you with a friendly smile and makes you feel welcome. The entire team has made every situation and transition very easy and I feel secure knowing my daughter is in a safe environment and in loving hands. I love seeing pictures of her and her friends interacting with each other and how much she loves her teachers and her “second home”! I am eternally grateful to have found such wonderful people to care of my baby girl – we love you all so much! Thank you RPCC for all you do!” 

-Emma LunaM, Google Review