Search Quality Rated Daycares on CloverMap
Filter by star level, zip code, age group, CAPS acceptance, and more. All 3,980+ Georgia daycares with Quality Rated stars displayed on every listing.
Step-by-Step: How to Find a Quality Rated Daycare
Follow these steps to find, evaluate, and choose the right rated provider for your family.
1
Search by Location
Start by entering your zip code or city on CloverMap or on Georgia DECAL's official Bright from the Start provider search. Both tools let you search for licensed and Quality Rated providers within a geographic radius.
When searching, set your radius to 5–10 miles to start. In metro Atlanta counties like Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett, you will typically find dozens of rated providers within a short distance. In more rural areas, you may need to expand your radius or consider providers in the nearest city.
On CloverMap, use the Quality Rated filter to show only rated providers. You can then sort by star level to see the highest-rated options first.
2
Filter by Star Level
Decide what minimum star level is acceptable for your family. For most parents, a 3-star or higher program is a good baseline — this is where teacher credentials become a formal requirement and curriculum standards kick in.
If you receive or plan to apply for CAPS subsidy, note that Georgia's CAPS program prioritizes placement in higher-rated programs when possible — this can actually make it easier to access 3-star and 4-star care.
If your top preference is a 5-star or NAEYC-accredited provider, search specifically for those — but be aware that waitlists can be long, especially for infant spots. Start your search early.
3
Filter for Your Child's Age Group
Not all Quality Rated providers serve all ages. Infant spots (ages 6 weeks to 12 months) are the most limited — many centers have very small infant rooms, and infant ratios (typically 1 teacher to 6 infants in Georgia) mean fewer spots are available.
On CloverMap, you can filter by age group: Infant, Toddler (1–2 years), Preschool (3–4 years), Pre-K (4–5 years), and School Age (5+). Filter early, especially for infants.
Georgia's maximum staff-to-child ratios: Infants = 1:6, Toddlers = 1:8, Preschool = 1:10. Higher-starred programs often exceed these ratios — meaning more adult attention per child.
4
Check CAPS Acceptance (If Applicable)
If you are eligible for or receiving CAPS childcare subsidy, you must select a provider that is enrolled as a CAPS provider. All Quality Rated daycares are eligible to accept CAPS, but not all actively participate. Use CloverMap's CAPS filter to show only providers currently accepting CAPS in your county.
CAPS reimbursement rates vary by county and age group. Providers in higher Quality Rated tiers receive higher reimbursement rates from the state — meaning they have more financial incentive to accept CAPS families.
5
Build a Shortlist of 3–5 Providers
Narrow your list to 3–5 providers that meet your criteria. Use CloverMap's listing pages to review their Quality Rated star, licensing status, ages served, hours, and any available photos or reviews.
You can also cross-reference each provider on Georgia DECAL's Bright from the Start website to verify their current star rating, licensing history, and any documented inspection issues. This is free, public information.
Search the provider name on DECAL's system to see their full licensing history — including any past violations, corrective actions, or complaints. A currently rated provider with a clean history is ideal.
6
Schedule Tours
Contact your shortlisted providers and schedule in-person tours. Most Quality Rated centers welcome tours — it's part of their transparency commitment. Visit during active program hours (mid-morning is usually best) so you can observe children and teachers in action, not just the empty facility.
Bring your list of questions (see below). Pay attention to how teachers interact with children — not just whether the room is clean and decorated, but whether adults are getting down to children's eye level, responding to bids for connection, and engaging in real conversation.
7
Ask About the Rating Journey
During your tour, ask the director directly about their Quality Rated status. Good questions: "How long have you held your current star rating?" "What did you have to change or improve to earn it?" "Are you working toward a higher star level?" A director who can speak fluently about their rating process is almost always more engaged in quality than one who dismisses the question.
A provider currently working toward a higher star rating is often a great choice — they are in active improvement mode, which can mean highly motivated staff and fresh professional development.
8
Enroll and Stay Engaged
Once you've chosen a provider and enrolled, stay engaged as a family. Higher-rated programs have formal family engagement policies — take advantage of them. Attend parent events, read newsletters, respond to communications, and do occasional drop-in visits (any licensed program must allow unannounced parent visits during operating hours).
Re-check the provider's DECAL listing every 6–12 months to confirm their rating is current and their license remains clean. Ratings are not permanent and quality can change with leadership or staffing shifts.
Which Star Level Should You Search For?
★★★★★
5 Stars: The highest quality available. Ideal if quality is your top priority and you have flexibility on price and location. Many hold NAEYC accreditation. Expect competitive waitlists for infant spots.
★★★★
4 Stars: Excellent quality with degree-educated directors and strong professional development systems. A great choice for most families — strong quality without the scarcity of 5-star slots.
★★★
3 Stars: The most widely available high-quality option. Credentialed teachers, formal curriculum, and family engagement requirements. A solid baseline for parents who want verified quality.
★★
2 Stars: Better than baseline licensing. Environment has been independently assessed. Good choice if 3-star options are unavailable or cost-prohibitive in your area.
★
1 Star: Enrolled in the Quality Rated system and working toward higher standards. Worth considering if combined with a strong director, low turnover, and a clean licensing history.
Metro Atlanta County Coverage
Metro Atlanta counties have the highest concentration of Quality Rated providers in Georgia.
Fulton County350+ rated
Gwinnett County290+ rated
Cobb County240+ rated
DeKalb County220+ rated
Clayton County130+ rated
Cherokee County90+ rated
Hall County80+ rated
Henry County75+ rated
Forsyth County70+ rated
Chatham County65+ rated
Richmond County60+ rated
All Other Counties500+ rated
What to Look For on a Tour
Even after you've confirmed a star rating, a visit tells you things no rating system can capture.
Signs of a High-Quality Environment
- Classrooms are organized but not sterile — children have access to materials
- Books are visible and plentiful at child height
- Children's artwork is displayed (not just teacher-made decorations)
- Outdoor play area is safe, engaging, and actually used
- Sensory play, dramatic play, and building areas are all present
- Daily schedule is posted and followed
Signs of High-Quality Teacher Interactions
- Teachers get down to children's eye level to talk
- Teachers use children's names and respond to their bids for attention
- You hear real conversations, not just instructions
- Teachers use open-ended questions ("What do you think will happen?")
- Transitions are calm, not chaotic
- Children seem relaxed and engaged, not anxious or aimless
Questions to Ask the Director
- What is your current star rating and when was it last renewed?
- What is your teacher turnover rate?
- What credentials do your lead teachers hold?
- How do you communicate with parents day-to-day?
- What does your curriculum look like for my child's age group?
- How do you handle challenging behavior?
Red Flags to Watch For
- Director is evasive or dismissive about the star rating
- High teacher turnover ("we have a lot of new staff right now")
- Children left unsupervised, even briefly
- Screens used as default childcare during transitions
- Director cannot name the curriculum in use
- Reluctance to allow additional visits before enrollment
Tip: Georgia law requires all licensed childcare providers to allow parents of enrolled or prospective children access to the facility during operating hours. If a provider refuses or significantly restricts your ability to visit before enrollment, that is a serious red flag regardless of their star rating.
Start Your Search Today
CloverMap has every Quality Rated daycare in Georgia — searchable by star level, zip code, age group, and CAPS status.
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