Best Daycares in Orlando for Working Parents
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission
- Orlando infant daycare costs $1,100-$1,300/month at licensed centers, with I-Drive and Winter Park at the top
- Several centers near Disney, Universal, and the tourist corridor offer extended and nontraditional hours
- Orange County has over 2,500 licensed childcare providers to choose from
Orlando’s daycare scene is shaped by one big reality: a lot of parents here work in hospitality, tourism, and healthcare, which means nontraditional hours. If you need a center that opens at 5:30 AM or stays open until 7 PM, you have options – but you have to know where to look. I have mapped out costs, neighborhoods, and the logistics that matter most to working parents in the Orlando metro.
Orlando Daycare Costs by Area
- Winter Park / Baldwin Park: $1,200-$1,500/month for infants. Upscale suburban centers.
- Dr. Phillips / Sand Lake: $1,100-$1,400/month. Close to the tourist corridor, some with extended hours.
- Downtown Orlando / Thornton Park: $1,100-$1,350/month. Convenient for downtown office workers.
- Kissimmee / Poinciana: $900-$1,100/month. More affordable with growing center options.
- Apopka / Ocoee: $850-$1,050/month. Best value in the metro.
See our statewide cost comparison for context.
Extended Hours and Nontraditional Schedules
Working in hospitality or healthcare? Look for these features:
- Early open: Several centers near the I-Drive corridor and airport open as early as 5:30 AM
- Late close: Some centers near AdventHealth and Orlando Health campuses stay open until 7 PM or later
- 24-hour daycares: Limited options exist in Orange and Osceola counties for overnight care
- Weekend care: Harder to find but available at select centers near Disney and Universal
Daycares Near Major Orlando Employers
- Walt Disney World: Disney offers subsidized childcare for cast members. Several independent centers in Celebration and Kissimmee also cater to Disney families.
- Universal Orlando: Centers along Turkey Lake Road and Sand Lake offer convenient pickup/drop-off.
- Lockheed Martin / UCF area: Strong cluster of centers along University Blvd and Research Parkway.
- AdventHealth / Orlando Health: Both hospital systems have employee childcare programs. Nearby centers also offer medical-professional-friendly schedules.
Choosing an Orlando Daycare
- Verify the license: Use our license check guide
- Check VPK readiness rates: The VPK program publishes provider performance data
- Tour during peak hours: See how the center handles the morning rush
- Ask about curriculum: Montessori, play-based, and academic approaches are all available
- Factor in commute: Orlando traffic is brutal – a center near work might save 30+ minutes daily
Financial Assistance in Orange County
The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County manages School Readiness and VPK locally. Apply at elcoforangecounty.org. Additional resources include Head Start, United Way childcare assistance, and employer-specific benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does daycare cost in Orlando?
Orlando daycare costs average $1,100-$1,300/month for infants at licensed centers. Toddler care runs $950-$1,150/month. Costs are lower in Kissimmee, Apopka, and Ocoee.
Are there 24-hour daycares in Orlando?
There are a limited number of 24-hour licensed daycares in Orange and Osceola counties. They primarily serve families in hospitality, healthcare, and other shift-work industries.
Does Disney offer daycare for employees?
Disney offers subsidized childcare benefits for cast members. Several independent centers in Celebration and Kissimmee also cater specifically to Disney employee families.
What is the best neighborhood for affordable daycare in Orlando?
Apopka, Ocoee, and Kissimmee/Poinciana generally offer the lowest daycare rates in the Orlando metro, with infant care starting around $850-$1,000/month.
How do I get daycare assistance in Orange County?
Contact the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County at elcoforangecounty.org. They administer School Readiness subsidies and VPK enrollment for the area.
Trusted Developer
Contributing writer covering Find Licensed Childcare Near You.
