Support Us Button Widget

Get the tykes taken care of at these Lakeland preschools

Finding childcare is no easy feat — let this guide serve as a place to start.

Adults hold children on coffee shop couches as one plays a sound bowl.

If you’re looking for recommendations on where to send your little ones, consider these suggestions from our readers.

Photo by Elisa Rose Vividor

When it comes to finding childcare, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed — especially considering that Polk County alone has 351 registered providers to choose from. To help break things down, we recently asked our readers for their preschool recommendations for young children in Lakeland.

Pro tip: Availability for providers may vary — follow up directly to ensure there are openings in your child’s age group.

🧸 Little Sprouts Preschool, 926 S. Tennessee Ave.

Reader Gabrielle D. praised this provider for its “safety, gentle and caring staff, affordability, attentiveness, [and] activities for kids.” It accepts children as young as eight weeks and as old as age 5.

🧸 Precious Children in the Highlands Preschool, 1010 Lake Miriam Dr.

Opened in 2007, this school accepts children ages six weeks to 5 years of age, and also offers after-school care for elementary-aged children. Readers chose this school for its “teachers that really care.”

🧸 Small Wonders Child Development Center, 4777 Lakeland Highlands Rd.

This full-time, year-round program primarily serves children from eight weeks to pre-kindergarten age, though readers noted that it also offers the “ability to stay through VPK and then on to the after care program until 5th grade.”

🧸 Covenant Child Development Center, 210 Poppell Dr.

While this center doesn’t start serving children until they’re at least 2 years of age, Reader Katie D. shared that the “amazing teachers, beautiful facility, and convenient working hours for parents, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.” make it worth the wait.

🧸 Beacon Hill Preschool, 801 W. Beacon Rd.

A Lakeland staple for more than 50 years, this center was named the January 2024 Small Business of the Month by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. Owner John Griffin noted that students “love their teachers and they develop a passion to learn.”

Are there other preschools we should know about? Send them our way to be included in future updates.

More from LALtoday
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Hit the courts and grab a bite at this development, helmed by local entrepreneurs and pickleball fanatics.
The City of Lakeland has finalized its 2026 budget before the next fiscal year begins — let’s take a look at the $815 million bottom line.
From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, the “unfortunately do love” social media trend is taking over the internet — and we want your input.
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice or fall-flavored treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
Directly north, east, south, and west of LAL, cities across the world await.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.
Polk Vision published the assessment in June 2025 after 18 months of data collection.
Take a bite of Lakeland’s past at these restaurants that have stood the test of time.
It’s your party and you’ll enjoy these deals if you want to.