Children at daycare

Best Child Daycare & Preschools in Sterling, IL

Compare 5 child daycare & preschools in Sterling. Average rating: 4.03/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Sterling, Illinois at a glance

Programs
5
Avg rating
4.03/5
Parent reviews
13
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Sterling offers 5 licensed child daycare & preschools, 4 of which have public ratings averaging 4.03/5.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Sterling

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
    Woodlawn Preschool Academy Of The Arts
    4.48 score
    4.7(11)

    3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 19 children

    Woodlawn Preschool Academy of the Arts receives consistently high ratings from parents. The facility is praised for its arts-focused programming, including dance, voice, theater, and cultural activities, as well as its welcoming atmosphere and professional staff. The center maintains health and safety protocols including temperature screening and mask requirements.

    Arts and cultural activitiesvariety of classesfriendly and knowledgeable instructorsbeautiful outdoor spaces

Rating Distribution

Based on 4 daycares with Google ratings in Sterling

4.5 - 5.0
2
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
2
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Sterling, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.03avg rating
5 daycares · 4 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Sterling zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
610817
4.03
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Sterling (16–198 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

2

Large

76–150 children

1

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Sterling based on parent reviews

Woodlawn Preschool Academy Of The Arts

4.7(11)

3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling, IL

Woodlawn Preschool Academy of the Arts receives consistently high ratings from parents. The facility is praised for its arts-focused programming, including dance, voice, theater, and cultural activities, as well as its welcoming atmosphere and professional staff. The center maintains health and safety protocols including temperature screening and mask requirements.

Arts and cultural activitiesvariety of classesfriendly and knowledgeable instructors

Julie'S Montessori Pre-School

5(1)

3400 6th Avenue, Sterling, IL

One parent highlights the center's attentive staff and director, noting that classrooms are kept organized and clean. The review also mentions that the daily routine includes snacks, lunch, and nap time, with assistance provided for potty training and diaper changes.

attentive staff and directororganized and clean classroomspotty training and diaper change assistance

Sterling Rock Falls Day Care

3.4

1840 W Le Fevre Rd, Sterling, IL

Cgh Helping Hands Daycare

3(1)

1813 2nd Ave, Sterling, IL

One parent reports high satisfaction with the service, care quality, and relationships established for their infant. They explicitly recommend the center to other families with infants.

high level of servicequality carestrong relationships for children

Map

Daycare types in Sterling

Child Daycare & Preschools 5Headstart Programs 2

Child Daycare & Preschools in Sterling, Illinois

There are 5 child daycare & preschools in Sterling, Illinois, making up 71% of the 7 total childcare facilities in the city. 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 Sterling have an average rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.03 stars. Our analysis covers 13 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Sterling, 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 Sterling

Showing 5 results

Julie'S Montessori Pre-School
Child Daycare & Preschools
5

One parent highlights the center's attentive staff and director, noting that classrooms are kept organized and clean. The review also mentions that the daily routine includes snacks, lunch, and nap time, with assistance provided for potty training and diaper changes.

attentive staff and directororganized and clean classroomspotty training and diaper change assistance
Address
3400 6th Avenue, Sterling, IL
Phone
(815) 626-4407
Woodlawn Preschool Academy Of The Arts
Child Daycare & Preschools
4.7

Woodlawn Preschool Academy of the Arts receives consistently high ratings from parents. The facility is praised for its arts-focused programming, including dance, voice, theater, and cultural activities, as well as its welcoming atmosphere and professional staff. The center maintains health and safety protocols including temperature screening and mask requirements.

Arts and cultural activitiesvariety of classesfriendly and knowledgeable instructors
Address
3807 Woodlawn Rd, Sterling, IL
Phone
(815) 626-4278
Sterling Rock Falls Day Care
Child Daycare & Preschools
3.4
Address
1840 W Le Fevre Rd, Sterling, IL
Phone
(815) 626-7397
Cgh Helping Hands Daycare
Child Daycare & Preschools
3

One parent reports high satisfaction with the service, care quality, and relationships established for their infant. They explicitly recommend the center to other families with infants.

high level of servicequality carestrong relationships for children
Address
1813 2nd Ave, Sterling, IL
Phone
(815) 625-6000
Open Sesame - Sterling High School Site
Child Daycare & Preschools
Address
1608 4th Ave, Sterling, IL
Phone
(815) 622-1650

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Frequently asked questions

There are 5 child daycare & preschools daycares in Sterling, Illinois, out of 7 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.
Based on parent reviews, daycares in Sterling have an average Google rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Sterling, 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
Sterling offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 5 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.
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 Sterling for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Sterling 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.