#1
Happy Dog Daycare Boarding and Grooming of Utica MI
“Beanz and Diesel get so happy when we drive down Utica that we better be taking them to Happy Dog Daycare! 😆 They love it there! And we just love that!!” — Google review
Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings
The Best Daycare Centers in Auburn Hills, MI
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
99%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.80★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
3.3%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
From 5,514 Google reviews of 80 top-rated daycare centers nationwide; 10 of them in Auburn Hills, MI. Updated November 1, 2026.
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Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Overall ratings
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of daycare centers).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
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| 1 |  Childtime on CrooksAuburn Hills, MI | A 92How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%94+51.3Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%94+13.3Replies to reviews 7%74+5.2Experts Score= 92Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAB | 4.88 | — |
| 2 |  The Learning Experience - ClarkstonAuburn Hills, MI | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%94+51.3Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%88+12.4Replies to reviews 7%62+4.4Experts Score= 90Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAB | 4.90 | — |
| 3 |  Lil' People's Place - Early Education Learning CenterAuburn Hills, MI | A 88How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%88+51.7Reliability 26%87+22.7Value 15%92+14Experts Score= 88Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.87 | — |
| 4 | Happy Dog Daycare Boarding and Grooming of Utica MIAuburn Hills, MI | A 83How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%83+45.3Reliability 24%72+17.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%100+7.1Craft & service penalty96−0.4Momentum penalty90−1Experts Score= 83Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABAAAA | 4.84 | — |
| 5 |  The Goddard School of ClarkstonAuburn Hills, MI | A 83How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%89+61.6Reliability 31%82+25.2Momentum penalty61−3.9Experts Score= 83Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––B– | 4.92 | — |
| 6 |  Childtime at Little OaksAuburn Hills, MI | B 78How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%80+43.6Reliability 24%68+16.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%47+3.3Experts Score= 78Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB–AAC | 4.75 | — |
| 7 |  Sterling Heights KinderCareAuburn Hills, MI | B 75How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%76+41.5Reliability 24%73+17.7Value 14%90+12.7Replies to reviews 7%49+3.5Craft & service penalty97−0.3Experts Score= 75Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBAAAC | 4.81 | — |
| 8 |  The Goddard School of Lake OrionAuburn Hills, MI | B 67How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%69+37.6Reliability 24%64+15.5Value 14%61+8.6Replies to reviews 7%78+5.5Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 67Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBABAB | 4.70 | — |
| 9 |  Waterford Senior CenterAuburn Hills, MI | B 67How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%68+43.2Reliability 28%83+23.4Replies to reviews 8%5+0.4Experts Score= 67Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BA––AF | 4.61 | — |
| 10 |  Companion Pet LodgeAuburn Hills, MI | B 63How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%73+39.8Reliability 24%49+11.9Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%25+1.8Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty58−4.2Experts Score= 63Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCAACD | 4.82 | — |
What jobs cost
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
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Daycare Centers in Auburn Hills, MI at a glance
How the 10 daycare centers we rated in Auburn Hills, MI compare, and what customers praise most.
Experts Score grades
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
- Grade A550%
- Grade B550%
- Grade C00%
- Grade D00%
- Grade F00%
Google ratings
Average stars per company.
- 4.90★ and up220%
- 4.80–4.89★550%
- 4.60–4.79★330%
- Below 4.60★00%
What customers praise
Share of Google review highlights.
- Quality29227%
- Professionalism29928%
- Responsiveness24623%
- Punctuality111%
- Value23922%
Was the price fair?
All price verdicts left with reviews.
- Great price21349%
- Reasonable20948%
- Overpriced61%
- Not sure82%
Price verdicts by year
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
2025
2026
How we grade
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 10 best-rated daycare centers in Auburn Hills, MI average 4.8★ on Google across 1,349 reviews. The Learning Experience - Clarkston has the top rating (4.9★), and Happy Dog Daycare Boarding and Grooming of Utica MI has the most reviews (597). Updated October 31, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (1,349 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
#2
The Learning Experience - Clarkston
“Our kiddos have attended TLE for several years. Fun, engaging events, a wonderful sense of community, excellent communication, pride in their connection with the kids. We don't have a "village" so we're extra…” — Google review
#3
Childtime on Crooks
“Great staff! I love that I can check in on my little one throughout the day on the live cameras. My toddler has been doing great with the structure and fun learning.” — Google review
#4
Companion Pet Lodge
“I highly recommend Companion Pet Lodge! They took great care of our Roxie girl! I loved getting daily photos of her! Very friendly staff too!” — Google review
#5
Lil' People's Place - Early Education Learning Center
“Lil Peoples truly feels like a family. Both of my kids started around 3 months old and they love it there! Every teacher knows my kids names and they all truly care about your kids. I love the small homey feel as…” — Google review
#6
The Goddard School of Clarkston
“We toured several daycares before choosing The Goddard School of Clarkston, and we’ve been very happy with our decision. The school is always very clean, and the infant room is spacious and well organized. The…” — Google review
#7
Childtime at Little Oaks
“Just recently started at this daycare for my 19 month old and she seems to be loving it. I love how you can check in anytime to see them and everyone is very helpful and communicate well” — Google review
#8
The Goddard School of Lake Orion
“The educators and staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful, and they really do a great job of introducing my child to learning and growth.” — Google review
#9
Waterford Senior Center
“I had a great experience here! The center had everything I was looking for — from engaging activities and friendly staff to a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel right at home. The facilities were clean,…” — Google review
#10
Sterling Heights KinderCare
“We had the most amazing experience here! The team took excellent care of my daughter, I trusted them so much. We loved the teachers in the infant and toddler classrooms as well as the office staff. We only left…” — Google review
How we pick daycare centers in Auburn Hills
We scan Google Maps for daycare center listings in and around Auburn Hills, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the highest-rated daycare center in Auburn Hills?
The Learning Experience - Clarkston has the highest Google rating on our Auburn Hills list: 4.9 out of 5 from 124 reviews (as of October 31, 2026).
Which daycare center in Auburn Hills has the most reviews?
Happy Dog Daycare Boarding and Grooming of Utica MI has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 597, with a 4.8★ average.
How are these daycare centers chosen?
Only open Auburn Hills-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.