The answer might surprise you — because it’s the wrong question.
Everyone asks: “How many Google reviews do I need to rank?”
I get it. It feels like a simple equation. More reviews = higher ranking = more inquiries. If only it worked that way.
Local Falcon just published research analyzing 50 million Google search results to understand what it actually takes to appear in the local 3-pack — those three businesses that show up on the map when someone searches “preschool near me” or “daycare in [city].”
It’s impressive work. They broke down entry-level, typical, and dominant review counts across nearly 2,000 business categories. They found that requirements vary wildly by industry — a breakfast restaurant needs 227 reviews just to compete, while a home health care provider can rank with just 2.
But childcare wasn’t in their data set.
So I ran our own analysis.
What We Found: 75 Childcare Centers, Hundreds of Data Points
We looked at 75 childcare centers across hundreds of keyword/location combinations to see what actually correlates with ranking in local search.
The finding was clear:
A high rating doesn’t guarantee you’ll rank. But a low rating guarantees you won’t.
The Rating Threshold
Here’s the pattern we saw:
Below 4.0 stars: Almost universally invisible. These centers were buried outside the top 10 for nearly every keyword we tracked.
4.0 – 4.4 stars: Mixed results. Some showed up occasionally, but no consistency.
4.5+ stars: In the game. Eligible to compete.
4.7+ stars with consistent volume: Winning. Regularly appearing in the top 3.
The most striking example? One center had over 100 reviews but a 4.0 rating. They didn’t crack the top 10 for a single search term.
Volume didn’t save them.
Meanwhile, centers with 4.7+ ratings and just 40-50 reviews consistently appeared in the top 3 — beating competitors with twice as many reviews.
Why Rating Matters More Than Volume
Think about it from Google’s perspective.
Google’s job is to show searchers the best results. A center with 100 reviews and a 4.0 rating is telling Google: “A lot of people have used this business, and the consensus is… it’s fine.”
A center with 50 reviews and a 4.9 rating is telling Google: “Everyone who goes here loves it.”
Which one would you show to a parent searching for childcare?
This is why the Local Falcon research found that star rating requirements are remarkably consistent across industries — almost every category requires at least 4.5 stars to compete, and typical winners have 4.8-4.9 stars.
Childcare is no different.
But Rating Alone Isn’t the Whole Story
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Some centers in our analysis had strong ratings and solid review counts — but still didn’t show up in local search results. A few weren’t even in the top 100 for certain keywords.
That points to other factors at play:
- Google Business Profile optimization — Is your profile complete? Categories correct? Services listed?
- Proximity — How close is the searcher to your location?
- Review recency — When was your last review?
- Keyword relevance — Does your profile match what parents are actually searching?
Reviews are the entry fee, not the whole game.
The Factor Most Centers Ignore: Recency
This matches what I’ve seen with clients in other industries.
One client maintains top local rankings not because they have the most reviews — but because they get a steady stream of new reviews every week and respond to every single one. Google sees that activity as a trust signal.
The research backs this up. Sterling Sky studied review recency and found that businesses who stopped collecting reviews — even with strong historical ratings — saw ranking declines.
A business with 200 reviews from two years ago may rank worse than one with 80 reviews that includes 15 from the last month.
Velocity matters.
What This Means for Childcare Operators
First: Check your rating.
If you’re below 4.3, that’s the fire to put out before anything else. No amount of marketing spend will overcome a rating that tells Google (and parents) that your center is mediocre.
Second: Stop thinking about reviews as a number to hit.
Think about them as a system — consistent collection, fast responses, and reputation protection.
The goal isn’t “get to 50 reviews.” The goal is “maintain a 4.7+ rating with a steady stream of recent reviews.”
Third: Telling your staff to ask parents for reviews isn’t a strategy.
It’s a hope. And hope doesn’t rank.
A real review strategy includes:
- Systematic timing (when to ask)
- Friction reduction (how easy is it to leave a review?)
- Response protocols (who responds, how fast, what do they say?)
- Recovery systems (what happens when you get a bad review?)
If you don’t have answers to all four, you don’t have a strategy.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need the most reviews. You need the right reviews.
- 4.5+ rating to be eligible
- 4.7+ rating to be competitive
- Recent reviews to stay visible
- Consistent responses to signal trust
And if you’re running multiple locations? The variance in review profiles across your centers might be one of the biggest — and most overlooked — factors affecting your enrollment.
Want to See What’s Actually Happening Across Your Locations?
This is exactly what Childcare Enrollment Intelligence (CEI) is built for — not just technically how Google works, but specifically what’s driving visibility and inquiries at each of your locations.
If you’re tired of guessing why some centers fill easily while others struggle, let’s talk.
Data analyzed: 75 childcare centers across multiple states, tracked across hundreds of keyword/location combinations. Research conducted Q4 2025 – Q1 2026.