Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Atwater, CA

Compare 3 headstart programs in Atwater. Average rating: 4.38/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Atwater, California at a glance

Programs
3
Avg rating
4.38/5
Parent reviews
13
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Atwater offers 3 licensed headstart programs, 4 of which have public ratings averaging 4.38/5.The largest concentration is in 95301 with 10 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Atwater

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
    Buhach Preschool
    3.42 score
    3(7)

    2606 N. Buhach Road, Atwater, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 89 children

    Buhach Preschool has highly polarized reviews with strong praise from some long-term families and severe safety and management concerns from others. Supporters highlight quality curriculum alignment and family-like care, while critics report unlocked facilities, understaffed operations, pest infestations, poor supervision leading to injuries, and unprofessional staff conduct.

    Curriculum research and kindergarten preparationaccommodating stafffamily-like care environmentcelebrates childhood

Rating Distribution

Based on 4 daycares with Google ratings in Atwater

4.5 - 5.0
3
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.33avg rating
7 daycares · 3 rated

Headstart Programs

4.5avg rating
3 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Atwater zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
9530110
4.38
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Atwater (20–89 children)

Small

up to 30 children

4

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Atwater based on parent reviews

Castle Head Start

4.5(4)

2050 Academy, Atwater, CA

One parent describes a highly recommended, nurturing environment with caring staff, while another reports significant hygiene and supervision issues, including exposure to extreme weather and unsanitary conditions.

Great teachersfriendly staffgood communication

Map

Daycare types in Atwater

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Headstart Programs 3

Browse by type in Atwater

🎨 Preschools 6

Headstart Programs in Atwater, California

There are 3 headstart programs in Atwater, California, making up 30% of the 10 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 Atwater have an average rating of 4.38 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities, with 75% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.5 stars. Our analysis covers 13 parent reviews.

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

All Headstart Programs in Atwater

Showing 3 results

Castle Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.5

One parent describes a highly recommended, nurturing environment with caring staff, while another reports significant hygiene and supervision issues, including exposure to extreme weather and unsanitary conditions.

Great teachersfriendly staffgood communication
Address
2050 Academy, Atwater, CA
Phone
(209) 381-5176
Bellevue Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
1020 East Bellevue Road, Atwater, CA
Phone
(209) 383-7147
Mitchell Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
1791 Grove Avenue, Atwater, CA
Phone
(209) 381-5183

Page 1 of 1· 3 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 3 headstart programs daycares in Atwater, California, out of 10 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 Atwater have an average Google rating of 4.38 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities. About 75% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Atwater, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with California's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in California)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Atwater offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 3 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 California 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 Atwater for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Atwater must be licensed by California'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.