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.