Updated June 2026 · Education & Childcare
How to set up a website for a daycare or preschool
Short answer
To set up a website for a daycare or preschool, use Squarespace or WordPress (trust-focused templates and tour-booking forms) — or WordPress if you need more control. Build 7 core pages: Home, Programs by Age, Curriculum, Staff, Tour Request, Enrollment, Contact. Lead with the hero pattern ‘[City] licensed daycare — book a tour this week’, prove credibility with Licensing, and pair the site with a Google Business Profile focused on Neighborhood + age-group pages (preschool [neighborhood], infant care [city]). Budget $1,500–$3,500 for a flat-rate build that ranks for daycare [city] / preschool [city].
Key facts
- Primary platform: Squarespace or WordPress — trust-focused templates and tour-booking forms
- Core pages to launch: Home, Programs by Age, Curriculum, Staff, Tour Request, Enrollment, Contact
- Trust signals that matter most: Licensing, staff bios + credentials, real classroom photos (no kids’ faces), parent quotes
- Local SEO angle: Neighborhood + age-group pages (preschool [neighborhood], infant care [city])
- Realistic build budget: $1,500–$3,500
- Primary keyword to target: daycare [city] / preschool [city]
Step-by-step
- 1
Pick the right platform
Use Squarespace or WordPress — trust-focused templates and tour-booking forms. Only choose WordPress if you’ve outgrown the primary or need custom design.
- 2
Buy a clean domain
Yourname.com or yourbusiness.com. Avoid hyphens and your-city-daycare.com — they hurt trust and rarely help SEO once you’re ranking.
- 3
Write the core pages
Ship these in order: Home, Programs by Age, Curriculum, Staff, Tour Request, Enrollment, Contact. Don’t add Blog/Resources until the core pages convert.
- 4
Lead with a city + service hero
Your H1 should say what you do and where, e.g. ‘[City] licensed daycare — book a tour this week’. Add a tappable phone number and a primary CTA above the fold.
- 5
Stack credibility
Add: Licensing, staff bios + credentials, real classroom photos (no kids’ faces), parent quotes. Credentials and licensing are non-negotiable for this niche.
- 6
Wire up Google Business Profile
Claim and verify at business.google.com. Focus the profile on Neighborhood + age-group pages (preschool [neighborhood], infant care [city]). Post photos weekly for the first 30 days — this alone outranks most paid SEO efforts in year one.
- 7
Add the right schema + analytics
Add LocalBusiness JSON-LD, install Google Analytics 4, and submit the sitemap in Google Search Console. Target daycare [city] / preschool [city] in your homepage title.
- 8
Get the first 10 reviews
Text or email your last 20 customers a direct Google review link. 10+ recent reviews unlocks Map Pack visibility for most childcare businesses.
Want us to build a daycare or preschool site for you?
Daycare sites that book tours and convert parents researching at midnight.
Get a free audit →Frequently asked
How much should a daycare or preschool spend on a website?
Realistic range: $1,500–$3,500. DIY on Squarespace or WordPress works if your time is cheaper than $50/hour; otherwise a flat-rate build pays back in the first 2–3 booked jobs.
Which platform is best for a daycare or preschool?
Squarespace or WordPress for most owners — trust-focused templates and tour-booking forms. Switch to WordPress only if you need design or feature depth the primary can’t cover.
How long until a daycare or preschool site shows up on Google?
Branded searches (your business name) within 1–2 weeks. ‘daycare [city] / preschool [city]’ takes 60–120 days with a verified Google Business Profile, 10+ reviews, and on-page basics done right.
Do I need a blog?
No — not until the core pages convert. Most childcare businesses get further with a verified Google Business Profile, real photos, and 10 reviews than with 20 blog posts.
What’s the single biggest mistake?
Hiding the phone number or burying the CTA. A daycare or preschool site lives or dies by how fast a mobile visitor can call, book, or quote.