
Compare 21 daycare centers in Waukegan. Average rating: 4.36/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
Waukegan has 21 licensed daycares with 66 parent reviews averaging 4.36/5.9 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 60% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 60085 zip code, averaging 4.71 stars across 16 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Ranked using a weighted score that combines Google rating with the number of parent reviews — daycares with more reviews rank higher than those with a high rating but few reviews. Last updated: March 2026.
2500 N Northern Ave, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children
Parents consistently praise A.A.U.W. Nursery School for its play-based curriculum, caring staff, and unique outdoor learning environment. The school fosters strong community connections and family involvement, with multiple families attending across generations. Children are described as thriving in a nurturing, developmentally appropriate setting without pressure or screen time.
1605 N Berwick Blvd, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 57 children
Maggie's Place Childcare & Learning Center in Waukegan receives consistently high praise from parents across multiple generations. Parents highlight the responsive, caring staff, strong curriculum, and safe, nurturing environment that promotes children's overall development and wellness. Children reportedly enjoy attending and leave well-prepared for school.
2115 S Ernie Krueger Cir, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 139 children
Busy Bee Children's Center receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, educational programs, and safe environment. The center has built strong family loyalty, with some families returning across generations. However, one parent reported serious concerns about special needs accommodation and child care practices.
33 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children
Reviews are mixed, though mostly positive. Multiple reviewers praise the college's new campus, staff professionalism, and helpful services, with several noting it as a top community college option. One reviewer expressed frustration with limited hours for off-campus services that don't align with overnight work schedules.
2215 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 51 children
Parents consistently praise Charlotte's Learning Center for its warm, caring environment and compassionate staff. Children are reported to be comfortable and eager to attend, with families feeling welcomed and treated like family. The owner is highlighted as sweet, responsible, and dedicated to the children's well-being.
500 Greenbay Rd, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 35 children
Prime Time Day Care receives mixed reviews. Three parents praise the staff flexibility, cleanliness, reasonable pricing, and child development, while two parents report serious concerns including poor hygiene, staff inattentiveness, inappropriate language exposure, injuries, and aggressive tuition collection practices.
Based on 15 daycares with Google ratings in Waukegan
Average ratings by facility type in Waukegan, based on parent reviews
Waukegan zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60085 | 16 | 4.71 | 7 |
Capacity distribution of daycares in Waukegan (16–151 children)
Small
up to 30 children
2
Medium
31–75 children
12
Large
76–150 children
6
Very Large
150+ children
1
Highest rated daycares in Waukegan based on parent reviews
2500 N Northern Ave, Waukegan, IL
Parents consistently praise A.A.U.W. Nursery School for its play-based curriculum, caring staff, and unique outdoor learning environment. The school fosters strong community connections and family involvement, with multiple families attending across generations. Children are described as thriving in a nurturing, developmentally appropriate setting without pressure or screen time.
1605 N Berwick Blvd, Waukegan, IL
Maggie's Place Childcare & Learning Center in Waukegan receives consistently high praise from parents across multiple generations. Parents highlight the responsive, caring staff, strong curriculum, and safe, nurturing environment that promotes children's overall development and wellness. Children reportedly enjoy attending and leave well-prepared for school.
2800 Washington St, Waukegan, IL
Reviewers highlight the center's caring staff, specifically mentioning teachers Mely and the director, while noting the availability of hands-on activities. Parents express high satisfaction, recommending the facility for its loving environment and peace of mind.
2115 S Ernie Krueger Cir, Waukegan, IL
Busy Bee Children's Center receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, educational programs, and safe environment. The center has built strong family loyalty, with some families returning across generations. However, one parent reported serious concerns about special needs accommodation and child care practices.
33 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL
Reviews are mixed, though mostly positive. Multiple reviewers praise the college's new campus, staff professionalism, and helpful services, with several noting it as a top community college option. One reviewer expressed frustration with limited hours for off-campus services that don't align with overnight work schedules.
824 N Lewis Ave, Waukegan, IL
One parent describes the YWCA School-Age Program in Waukegan as the best place they have ever visited, recalling positive experiences dating back to their own childhood. This single review highlights a strong personal connection and satisfaction with the center-based program.
There are 21 daycare centers in Waukegan, Illinois. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.
Based on Google reviews, daycares in Waukegan have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 15 rated facilities, with 60% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.36 stars. Our analysis covers 66 parent reviews.
When choosing a daycare in Waukegan, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.
Showing 21 results
One parent describes the YWCA School-Age Program in Waukegan as the best place they have ever visited, recalling positive experiences dating back to their own childhood. This single review highlights a strong personal connection and satisfaction with the center-based program.
Parents consistently praise A.A.U.W. Nursery School for its play-based curriculum, caring staff, and unique outdoor learning environment. The school fosters strong community connections and family involvement, with multiple families attending across generations. Children are described as thriving in a nurturing, developmentally appropriate setting without pressure or screen time.
One parent describes an exceptional experience at Alice's Discovery Academy, highlighting a curriculum-based approach that goes beyond unstructured play. The review emphasizes the staff's professionalism and warmth, noting that the child felt valued and consistently happy during care.
One parent describes the staff as very nice and supportive. The single review highlights positive interactions without noting any drawbacks.
Reviewers highlight the center's caring staff, specifically mentioning teachers Mely and the director, while noting the availability of hands-on activities. Parents express high satisfaction, recommending the facility for its loving environment and peace of mind.
Maggie's Place Childcare & Learning Center in Waukegan receives consistently high praise from parents across multiple generations. Parents highlight the responsive, caring staff, strong curriculum, and safe, nurturing environment that promotes children's overall development and wellness. Children reportedly enjoy attending and leave well-prepared for school.
Busy Bee Children's Center receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, educational programs, and safe environment. The center has built strong family loyalty, with some families returning across generations. However, one parent reported serious concerns about special needs accommodation and child care practices.
Reviews are mixed, though mostly positive. Multiple reviewers praise the college's new campus, staff professionalism, and helpful services, with several noting it as a top community college option. One reviewer expressed frustration with limited hours for off-campus services that don't align with overnight work schedules.
Parents consistently praise Charlotte's Learning Center for its warm, caring environment and compassionate staff. Children are reported to be comfortable and eager to attend, with families feeling welcomed and treated like family. The owner is highlighted as sweet, responsible, and dedicated to the children's well-being.
One parent highlights the staff's positive impact on their son's development, while another associates the center with family history. A third comment mentions the location's connection to a relative who taught there in the 1960s.
One parent describes exceptional staff care and child development, while another criticizes the staff's professionalism and competence. The few reviews so far mention high satisfaction with the learning environment alongside serious concerns about teacher conduct and qualifications.
Prime Time Day Care receives mixed reviews. Three parents praise the staff flexibility, cleanliness, reasonable pricing, and child development, while two parents report serious concerns including poor hygiene, staff inattentiveness, inappropriate language exposure, injuries, and aggressive tuition collection practices.
One parent reports a traumatic experience where their child was allegedly struck by a teacher, resulting in the child's distress and identification of the staff member. The parent also notes that management was uncooperative regarding camera access, leading them to transfer their child to a different facility.
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