Best Headstart Programs in El Cajon, CA
Compare 2 headstart programs in El Cajon. Average rating: 4.46/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.
El Cajon, California at a glance
- Programs
- 2
- Avg rating
- 4.46/5
- Parent reviews
- 424
- Top rated (4.5+)
- 18
El Cajon has 2 licensed headstart programs with 424 parent reviews averaging 4.46/5.18 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 62% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 92021 (avg 4.61 stars), while 92019 has the largest selection (23 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.
Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in El Cajon
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.
- 1Dayspring Christian Learning Center - Infant4.72 score4.9(20)
1150 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
Parents consistently praise Children's Choice (formerly Dayspring Christian Learning Center) for exceptional staff care, cleanliness, and a nurturing environment where children thrive. The facility features enriching activities, a well-maintained garden with animals, renovated classrooms, and strong parent communication through daily updates. Multiple reviews highlight specific teachers by name, noting their warmth, patience, and genuine investment in child development.
Caring and compassionate staffclean facilitynutritious and delicious mealsdaily communication and updates with parents - 2Dayspring Christian Learning Center4.72 score4.9(20)
1150 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 64 children
Parents consistently praise Children's Choice (formerly Dayspring Christian Learning Center) for exceptional staff care, cleanliness, and educational activities. Multiple reviews highlight specific teachers by name for their warmth, patience, and genuine love for the children. The facility features hands-on learning opportunities, good communication with parents, and a welcoming environment where children are eager to attend.
Compassionate and caring staffclean fac - 3Foothills Christian Preschool4.56 score4.7(20)
315 West Bradley Avenue, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 58 children
Note: The reviews provided are for Foothills Church, not the preschool program. Reviews praise the church's welcoming community, biblical teaching, and youth programs. Parents appreciate the supportive atmosphere and community involvement.
Welcoming staffstrong sense of communityBible-centered teachingyouth programs and events - 4Shadow Mountain Community Preschool4.56 score4.7(20)
2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 94 children
These reviews do not pertain to the daycare's services. All reviews discuss Shadow Mountain Community Church's worship services, Pastor David Jeremiah's preaching, and church hospitality rather than the preschool program itself.
No relevant daycare feedback provided - 5Lmsvsd - Fletcher Hills Preschool4.5 score5(5)
2330 Center Place, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 24 children
Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents who highlight the warm, caring staff and director Robin's exceptional leadership. Parents report their children thrive academically and emotionally in a bright, well-organized facility with strong community and family support.
Warm and caring staffexcellent director communicationbright and spacious facilitystructured learning program (phonics - 6Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church Pre-School4.5 score5(5)
455 Church Way, El Cajon, CA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 78 children
Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church Pre-School in El Cajon receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the warm, caring staff and director Robin's leadership. Parents highlight the bright, spacious facility, strong academics, and supportive community environment that has served multiple generations of families.
Warm and caring staffexcellent director (Robin)bright and spacious facilitystrong academics (phonics - 7Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Preschool-School Age4.5 score5(5)
455 Church Way, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children
Parents consistently praise Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Preschool as an exceptional facility with warm, caring staff and strong leadership. Multiple families report significant positive experiences across multiple children, with appreciation for the structured learning environment, safe facilities, and sense of community.
Warm and caring staffexceptional director (Robin)bright and spacious facilitiesstructured curriculum (phonics - 8Children'S Choice-Infant4.48 score4.6(20)
1465 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 19 children
Parents consistently praise Children's Choice for providing a loving, safe, and nurturing environment where children thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Multiple reviews highlight specific teachers who go above and beyond, form strong connections with children, and communicate effectively with parents. Parents express high trust in the facility and staff, with many having children attend for multiple years across different classroom levels.
Caring and patient teachersstrong teacher-child relationshipsindividualized attention to each child's needs and personalityfocus on independence and manners - 9Children'S Choice-School-Age4.48 score4.6(20)
1465 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children
Parents consistently praise Children's Choice for exceptional teacher care and emotional support. Multiple teachers are highlighted for going above and beyond, creating safe and loving environments where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Parents emphasize they trust the staff completely with their children's development.
Caring and patient teachersstrong teacher-child connectionsindividualized attention to each child's needssupportive com - 10Children'S Choice4.48 score4.6(20)
1465 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 82 children
Parents consistently praise Children's Choice for providing loving, patient, and attentive care. Multiple reviews highlight specific teachers who go above and beyond, making children feel safe, valued, and supported in their development. The facility focuses on independence, manners, and emotional growth while maintaining strong communication with parents.
Dedicated and caring teachersstrong teacher-child relationshipspatient approach to behavioral challengesfocus on independence and social-emotional development
Rating Distribution
Based on 29 daycares with Google ratings in El Cajon
What Parents Value Most
Top qualities mentioned across 424 reviews, analyzed by AI
Daycare Types Compared
Average ratings by facility type in El Cajon, based on parent reviews
Best Rated Neighborhoods
El Cajon zip codes ranked by average daycare rating
| Zip Code | Daycares | Avg. Rating | Top Rated | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92021 | 16 | 4.61 | 6 | |
| 92020 | 15 | 4.46 | 5 | |
| 92019 | 23 | 4.37 | 5 |
Facility Sizes
Capacity distribution of daycares in El Cajon (14–144 children)
Small
up to 30 children
30
Medium
31–75 children
20
Large
76–150 children
7
Very Large
150+ children
0
Map
Daycare types in El Cajon
Browse by type in El Cajon
Headstart Programs in El Cajon, California
There are 2 headstart programs in El Cajon, California, making up 4% of the 57 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 El Cajon have an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 across 29 rated facilities, with 62% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.8 stars. Our analysis covers 424 parent reviews. Parents in El Cajon most frequently praise daycares for warm and caring staff, strong teacher-child relationships, and safe environment.
When choosing a daycare in El Cajon, 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 El Cajon
Showing 2 results
One parent reports that their son learned a lot at the program, enough that they wish to enroll their younger child. The feedback highlights educational value and family satisfaction.
- Address
- 490 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA
- Phone
- (619) 593-8010
One parent praises the staff and expresses strong satisfaction with their children's long-term attendance, while other reviews highlight serious safety concerns regarding unreported injuries and a supervisor who yells at parents and children.
- Address
- 533 South First Street, El Cajon, CA
- Phone
- (619) 579-0366
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Frequently asked questions
- 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
- Child Daycare & Preschools — 52 facilities
- Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
- Church Daycare — 2 facilities
- Before or After School Daycare — 1 facilities