Child Care Options in Gig Harbor
Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to find the best daycare or childcare options in the Gig Harbor area? You’re certainly not alone! I know how important it is to find quality care that not only works with your busy schedule, but also aligns with your family values and child’s needs. There’s so much to consider, such as before and after school options, summer and school break availability, age requirements and hours of operations. So, I wanted to help make this process easier for you. This list is in no way rated- I’ll leave that task up to you as the expert of your child(ren). I’m just here to show you what’s available and where to help simplify your task! If you would also like to explore your options for preschool, check out my Guide to Private Preschool in Gig Harbor.
Daycare Centers in Gig Harbor
4835 Borgen Blvd, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Ages Served: 18 months to 6 years
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00pm
Half Day Summer School and Summer Camp: Available for children aged 3 to 6 years
June 30 , 2025 – August 22, 2025
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
While Discovery Village is primarily a preschool, they still offer summer school camp which is a necessity for so many. Their program is centered around nurturing, play-based experiential learning. You can find admissions information here or schedule a tour and check out their toddler and jr. program, preschool and enrichment program.
6820 32nd St. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Ages Served: Preschool through 5th grade
Opening Hours: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Before and After School Care: Available for enrolled families
Summer Camp: Open to children aged 4 (as of June 1, 2025) through entering 5th grade; open to the public
Ages 3 – 11 years
Morning camp (9 am – 12:00 pm)
Afternoon camp (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
Full day camp
Early Drop-off – 8:00 am | Late pick-up - 5:30 pm
Summer Childcare: ages 4 - 11 years old
June 23, 2025 - August 15, 2025
7:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Friday
This school is tucked away on 10 acres of nature where student will get to enjoy their Certified Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom! Check out their childcare options and rates and summer childcare program. Or, learn more by contacting them directly.
Gig Harbor Kids Childcare and Development
14212 42nd Ave CT NW, Gig Harbor WA, 98332
Ages Served: infants, toddlers, preschool
Before and After School Care Options
Call 253-287-3583 for more information about hours and availability
Gig Harbor Kids provides a safe, structured and fun environment for educational play, and learning about emotional regulation. You can learn more about this center by scheduling a tour to see for yourself or you can message them directly with any questions.
YMCA Before and After School Care
Locations: Programs available at various schools within the Peninsula School District, including Artondale, Discovery, Harbor Heights, Swift Water, and Vaughn Elementary Schools
Ages Served: 5 to 12 years
Opening Hours: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm, Monday-Friday
The YMCA focuses on safety, health, social growth, and academic enrichment. Children all throughout the country look forward to their time at their local YMCA. You can check out Peirce County’s drop-in and before/after care rates and information. Learn more about their early learning centers here.
3811 Grandview St, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Ages Served: 6 weeks to 5 years
Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday-Friday
Summer Childcare: Offers programs for children ages 5-12 during the summer and school breaks
While KinderCare is a preschool, it also offers childcare during school breaks which is helpful for kids beyond pre-k. They provide safe and healthy classrooms with learning experiences that meet your child’s social and academic needs. KinderCare is also accredited by NAEYC. If you’re interested in learning more you can schedule a tour.
3716 56th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA
Ages Served: 6 weeks – 5 years
Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday
This preschool offers infant and toddler childcare, as well as early childhood learning for children 2-3 years old. Their preschool is for ages 3-4 and pre-k for children ages 4-5. You can contact them directly or schedule a time to visit to see what makes their preschool so unique.
Right At School at Purdy Elementary
Location: Purdy Elementary School
Ages Served: Children attending Purdy Elementary
Opening Hours: Before school-6:00am | after-school hours; specific times may vary
Before and After School Care: They provide enriching activities and homework support during this time.
Right at School has various rates for before and after school childcare to fit many families’ individual needs. You can also check out their summer camp at Pioneer Elementary if you are hoping for more summer care options. Contact them for more information and any questions about their program.
Religious Daycare Centers in Gig Harbor
14405 Peacock Hill Ave. NW, Gig Harbor WA 98332
Ages Served: 4 weeks to 5 years
Opening Hours: 6:00 am- 6:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Before and After School Care: For ages 5-12 years
Summer Camp: For ages 5-12 years
In His Hands Learning is a Christian Early Learning and Childcare Center that provides programs for infants (4 weeks – 12 months), waddlers (1-2 years), toddlers (2-3 years), preschoolers (3-4 years), Pre-K, (4-5 years) and before and after care and summer camp for children aged 5-12. They ensure a safe, clean and loving learning environment while honoring your religious preference. You can check out their rates and download their enrollment packet online.
Little Steps Christian Child Care
3214 50th Street Court, Suite 102, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Ages Served: 6 weeks to 5 years- year around
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 5:30pm
Little Steps Christian Child Care creates a safe, loving and supportive environment and program for their waddlers and toddlers and preschoolers. Their online registration and wait list forms make it easy to enroll. For questions about this process or more information you can contact them directly.
Daycare Centers in Tacoma
1113 S I street, Tacoma WA, 98405
Ages Served: 13 months to 12 years
Opening Hours: 6:15 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday, year-round.
Offers Before and After School Care
Tacoma Day’s program focuses heavily on developmentally appropriate practices with continuity between classrooms. There is ECEAP and Head Start Availability, as well as transportation to and from various neighboring schools. Contact them for information.
7006 S Trafton St, Tacoma, WA 98409
Ages Served: 3 months – 12 years
Opening Hours: 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, year-round
This academy incorporates cultural diversity into their program using Russian and English Languages as well as other Slavic languages. You can learn more about the Director and her mission or call to schedule a tour.
1735 S Sheridan Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405
Ages Served: 2.5 – 5 years
Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm, year-round
Before and After School Care: includes school drop off and pick up
This in-home daycare allows children to learn through play in a structured environment. Regular newsletters are provided to keep parents informed on lessons, themes and updates. You can check out their options and rates for full-time, part-time and before/after school or contact them directly.
Wee Ones Preschool and Childcare
2918 S 14th St, Tacoma, WA 98405
Ages Served: 2 – 5 years
Opening Hours: 6:30 am – 6:00 pm, year-round
Wee Ones is an in-home daycare with a family and community feel. They offer a core preschool program with weekly themes, a learning garden and a Science, Sensory and Technology room. You can check their enrollment page for availability, rates and waitlist options.
North Tacoma Montessori Center
5 Locations: Proctor, 12 th Street, 34th Street Nature Center, Achievement, Ruston
Ages Served: 4 weeks -12 years
Opening Hours: 6:30 am – 5:30 pm, Monday - Friday, year-round
Before and After School Care: At Proctor and Achievement locations only
This center offers large classroom and playgrounds, gymnastics and soccer during school hours for an additional fee and provides a full menu for lunch and snack. There are separate classrooms for infants, toddlers and Pre-K with highly qualified staff dedicated to Montessori methods of learning. Check out their enrollment rates and options for part-time and full-time care.
Kid’s Country Learning Centers
1806 South Mildred Street, Tacoma, WA 98465
Ages Served: 6 weeks -8 years
Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday, year around
Before and After School Care: available for children 5 – 8-years old
Summer Camp: available for children 5 – 8-years old
Kid’s Country provides care for children aged six months all the way up to 12 years old. Their website gives specifics about their philosophy and each of their programs, or you can request more information and schedule a tour. With locations throughout the Puget Sound, their Tacoma center is near Joint Base Lewis-McChord and offers discounts for military families.
635 South Mildred Street, Tacoma, WA 98465
Ages Served: 6 weeks -5 years
Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday
School Break Program: for children ages 5-12 years old
KinderCare offers a variety of basic programs for children six weeks to five years old, as well as enrichment programs for ages two and up. KinderCare is also accredited by NAEYC. Fill out the contact form for more information on the North Tacoma center and tuition.
Religious Daycare Centers in Tacoma
5975 South 12th St., Tacoma, WA 98465
Ages Served: 6 weeks – 5 years
Opening Hours: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday, year-round
Brotman’s developmentally appropriate program teaches Jewish values and incorporates Jewish traditions into their daily program. Priority enrollment is given to current Temple Beth El Members. They have 4 classrooms with 3 teachers per class and meals and snacks are provided in tuition costs. You can sign up for a tour and sign up for their waitlist. Meals and snacks are provided.
1717 South Union Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405
Ages Served: 3 - 5.5 years
Opening Hours: 6:30 am – 5:45 pm, Monday – Friday, year around
Before and After School Care: for preschool – 5th grade
Summer Camp: available for children entering preschool – 5th grade
Life Christian Academy is open to students in preschool and pre-K all the way up to high school. They also offer childcare before and after school hours. If you are interested, a tour of the school can be set up with the admissions department.
The New School at Chambers Bay
5000 67th Ave W University Place, WA 98467
Ages Served: 6 weeks - 6 years
Opening Hours: 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday year-round
Offering full-day child care up to pre-kindergarten and half-day child care from 13 months to two and a half years, this Christian school desires to instill joy in learning for each of their students. Their philosophy encompasses personal maturity and Bible lessons as well as intellectual and physical development. Visit their website to take a virtual tour, book a tour, and view a list of frequently asked questions.
1937 S G Street Tacoma, WA 98405
Ages Served: 4 weeks to 12 years
Opening Hours: 6 am – 6 pm, Monday -Friday year-round
Before and After School Care: Part-time am/pm rates apply
The educators at Children of Hope work closely with coaches and participate in Washington’s Early Achievers to ensure a quality Christian based program for their students. They have separate classrooms for infants, toddlers, preschooler sand school aged kids. Full-time, part-time, summer and drop-in rates differ depending on age. Contact Children of Hope for questions about their program, rates or availability.
If you did not find what you’re looking for in these childcare centers, there are plenty home-based options in and near Gig Harbor. The following websites will help you search specifically for the type of nanny, caregiver or childcare provider that will meet your family’s needs.
Au Pair in America
I hope you find this helpful in your childcare journey!
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