Children at daycare

13 Child Daycare & Preschools in Dekalb, Illinois

Browse all 13 child daycare & preschools in Dekalb, Illinois. Compare options and find the right childcare for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Dekalb

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.

  1. 1

    511 Russell Rd, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

    Little Lambs Preschool receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the center's high-quality education, play-based learning approach, and strong student-teacher ratios. Parents consistently report that their children thrive socially and academically, with excellent preparation for kindergarten. The staff is described as competent, caring, and experienced, with involvement from leadership including the pastor.

    small class sizesexcellent student-to-teacher ratio (9-10 students with 2 teachers)play-based learninghigh educational standards
  2. 2

    821 S 7th St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children

    Growing Place - Founder's Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight exceptional staff and directors who genuinely care for children, clean facilities, and healthy food options. The facility is frequently described as the best childcare option in DeKalb, though pricing is a point of contention among some families.

    caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environmenthealthy food
  3. 3

    615 N 1st St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children

    The Growing Place receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight excellent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in a safe, nurturing environment with caring teachers and strong leadership. There is a notable waitlist due to the center's popularity.

    caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environmenthealthy food
  4. 4
    Growing Place Main Site
    4.51 score
    4.8(9)

    909 S 4th St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 146 children

    Growing Place Main Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with reviewers highlighting the caring and competent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in this environment and describe it as the best daycare option in DeKalb, though there is a notable waitlist.

    Caring and loving staffclean facilitysafe environmenthealthy food
  5. 5

    1121 School St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children

    Children's Learning Center Littlejohn receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing staff and caring environment. Multiple parents report strong communication with teachers and positive developmental outcomes for their children. One negative review alleges mistreatment and neglect, contrasting sharply with the other accounts.

    Warm and nurturing staffstrong parent-teacher communicationsafe environmentengaging curriculum
  6. 6

    220 E Sunset Pl, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Children's Learning Center Lincoln receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring and nurturing staff, strong communication, and enriching curriculum. However, one review raises serious concerns about alleged mistreatment and neglect of a child. The majority of reviews highlight the center's safe environment and genuine care from teachers and leadership.

    Warm and nurturing staffDirect communication with parentsRich curriculum and engaging activitiesSafe environment
  7. 7

    905 S 4th St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 146 children

    Children's Learning Center Main receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the warm, caring staff and nurturing environment. The majority of reviews highlight strong communication, engaging curriculum, and genuine care for children's development. One negative review alleges mistreatment and neglect, contrasting sharply with the predominantly positive experiences reported.

    Warm and nurturing staffstrong teacher-parent communicationsafe environmentengaging learning activities
  8. 8

    530 Charter St, Dekalb, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

    Creative Kids Connection is highly rated by parents for its caring, attentive staff and engaging educational activities including sensory learning and daily art. Parents consistently praise the facility's cleanliness, spacious layout, staff stability, and affordable pricing, with many noting their children form lasting friendships and show enthusiasm about attending.

    Caring and attentive stafflow teacher turnoverconsistent staff-child relationshipssensory and activity-based learning

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Dekalb based on parent reviews

Little Lambs Preschool Of Immanuel Luthe

5(7)

511 Russell Rd, Dekalb, IL

Little Lambs Preschool receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the center's high-quality education, play-based learning approach, and strong student-teacher ratios. Parents consistently report that their children thrive socially and academically, with excellent preparation for kindergarten. The staff is described as competent, caring, and experienced, with involvement from leadership including the pastor.

small class sizesexcellent student-to-teacher ratio (9-10 students with 2 teachers)play-based learning

Growing Place - Founder'S Site

4.8(9)

821 S 7th St, Dekalb, IL

Growing Place - Founder's Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight exceptional staff and directors who genuinely care for children, clean facilities, and healthy food options. The facility is frequently described as the best childcare option in DeKalb, though pricing is a point of contention among some families.

caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environment

The Growing Place - First Congregational

4.8(9)

615 N 1st St, Dekalb, IL

The Growing Place receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight excellent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in a safe, nurturing environment with caring teachers and strong leadership. There is a notable waitlist due to the center's popularity.

caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environment

Growing Place Main Site

4.8(9)

909 S 4th St, Dekalb, IL

Growing Place Main Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with reviewers highlighting the caring and competent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in this environment and describe it as the best daycare option in DeKalb, though there is a notable waitlist.

Caring and loving staffclean facilitysafe environment

Fcns Child Development Laboratory At Niu

5(2)

169 Gabel Hall, Dekalb, IL

Niu Campus Child Care

5(2)

Campus Child Care Center, Dekalb, IL

Map

Child Daycare & Preschools in Dekalb, Illinois

There are 13 child daycare & preschools in Dekalb, Illinois. Below you'll find a complete directory to help you compare and choose the right daycare for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Dekalb, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

All Child Daycare & Preschools in Dekalb

Showing 13 results

Little Lambs Preschool Of Immanuel Luthe
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

Little Lambs Preschool receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the center's high-quality education, play-based learning approach, and strong student-teacher ratios. Parents consistently report that their children thrive socially and academically, with excellent preparation for kindergarten. The staff is described as competent, caring, and experienced, with involvement from leadership including the pastor.

small class sizesexcellent student-to-teacher ratio (9-10 students with 2 teachers)play-based learning
Address
511 Russell Rd, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-6669
Fcns Child Development Laboratory At Niu
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
169 Gabel Hall, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 753-1150
Niu Campus Child Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
5
Address
Campus Child Care Center, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 753-0125
Growing Place - Founder'S Site
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

Growing Place - Founder's Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents highlight exceptional staff and directors who genuinely care for children, clean facilities, and healthy food options. The facility is frequently described as the best childcare option in DeKalb, though pricing is a point of contention among some families.

caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environment
Address
821 S 7th St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-5744
The Growing Place - First Congregational
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

The Growing Place receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight excellent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in a safe, nurturing environment with caring teachers and strong leadership. There is a notable waitlist due to the center's popularity.

caring and loving staffclean facilitiessafe environment
Address
615 N 1st St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-5744
Growing Place Main Site
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.8

Growing Place Main Site receives consistently high praise from parents, with reviewers highlighting the caring and competent staff, clean facilities, and quality care. Parents report their children thrive in this environment and describe it as the best daycare option in DeKalb, though there is a notable waitlist.

Caring and loving staffclean facilitysafe environment
Address
909 S 4th St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-5744
Childrens Learning Center Littlejohn
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Children's Learning Center Littlejohn receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the warm, nurturing staff and caring environment. Multiple parents report strong communication with teachers and positive developmental outcomes for their children. One negative review alleges mistreatment and neglect, contrasting sharply with the other accounts.

Warm and nurturing staffstrong parent-teacher communicationsafe environment
Address
1121 School St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-3506
Childrens Learning Center Lincoln
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Children's Learning Center Lincoln receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the caring and nurturing staff, strong communication, and enriching curriculum. However, one review raises serious concerns about alleged mistreatment and neglect of a child. The majority of reviews highlight the center's safe environment and genuine care from teachers and leadership.

Warm and nurturing staffDirect communication with parentsRich curriculum and engaging activities
Address
220 E Sunset Pl, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-3506
Childrens Learning Center Main Center
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.3

Children's Learning Center Main receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the warm, caring staff and nurturing environment. The majority of reviews highlight strong communication, engaging curriculum, and genuine care for children's development. One negative review alleges mistreatment and neglect, contrasting sharply with the predominantly positive experiences reported.

Warm and nurturing staffstrong teacher-parent communicationsafe environment
Address
905 S 4th St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-3506
Creative Kids Connection INC.
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.3

Creative Kids Connection is highly rated by parents for its caring, attentive staff and engaging educational activities including sensory learning and daily art. Parents consistently praise the facility's cleanliness, spacious layout, staff stability, and affordable pricing, with many noting their children form lasting friendships and show enthusiasm about attending.

Caring and attentive stafflow teacher turnoverconsistent staff-child relationships
Address
530 Charter St, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 901-0376
Kindercare Learning Ctr 300978
Child Daycare & Preschools

Parents consistently praise KinderCare Learning Center in DeKalb for its caring, attentive staff and strong educational programming. Children reportedly thrive academically and emotionally, with teachers forming meaningful bonds with students. One parent noted difficulty getting off the waitlist.

Caring and dedicated teachersstrong educational outcomesindividual attention to each child
Address
207 E Hillcrest Dr, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 758-1541
First Beginnings
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
2179 Sycamore Rd, # 103, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(779) 777-7152
Salvation Army Child Care University
Child Daycare & Preschools

This daycare center has no Google reviews. The available reviews appear to be for Salvation Army's food pantry and social services rather than the child care facility, making it impossible to assess the daycare's actual performance.

Staff described as helpfulkindand compassionate; services provided with dignity and without judgment
Address
830 Grove Street, Dekalb, IL
Phone
(815) 756-7470

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Frequently asked questions

There are 13 child daycare & preschools daycares in Dekalb, Illinois. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
When choosing a daycare in Dekalb, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Illinois's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Illinois)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Daycare costs in Illinois typically range from $200 to $400 per week for full-time care, depending on the child's age, facility type, and location within the state. Infant care tends to be more expensive due to lower staff-to-child ratio requirements. Contact individual facilities in Dekalb for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Dekalb must be licensed by Illinois's childcare licensing agency. Licensed facilities are required to meet standards for safety, health, staff qualifications, and staff-to-child ratios. You can verify a facility's license status through your state's licensing database.