Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Los Angeles, CA

Compare 84 headstart programs in Los Angeles. Average rating: 4.39/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Los Angeles, California at a glance

Programs
84
Avg rating
4.39/5
Parent reviews
2,408
Top rated (4.5+)
220

Los Angeles has 84 licensed headstart programs with 2,408 parent reviews averaging 4.39/5.220 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 58% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 90063 (avg 5 stars), while 90034 has the largest selection (19 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Los Angeles

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

    3734 Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 35 children

    Building Blocks Christian Academy receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring, experienced teachers, faith-based curriculum, and exceptional facilities—particularly the large outdoor space. Parents report their children show enthusiasm for attending, make significant academic and social-emotional progress, and feel safe and loved.

    Experienced and caring teachersfaith-based education with emphasis on values and character developmentlarge outdoor play spaceclean facilities
  2. 2

    1313 N. Edgemont Street, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 56 children

    Hollywood Preschool & Kindergarten receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who praise the caring, attentive teachers and nurturing environment. Parents consistently report their children thrive academically and socially, with strong preparation for elementary school and joy in attending daily.

    Caring and nurturing teacherssmall class sizes with individual attentiondevelopmentally appropriate activitiessafe and clean environment
  3. 3

    3401 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 28 children

    Los Feliz Nursery School receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise its co-op model, strong community, and focus on social-emotional learning. Parents consistently highlight the caring staff, welcoming environment, and lasting friendships formed through the school. Children show significant developmental growth and are well-prepared for elementary school.

    Co-op model with affordable tuitionstrong parent communityexperienced and caring teacherssocial-emotional learning focus
  4. 4

    851 S. Wilton Place, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 55 children

    Young Ye Nursery School receives unanimous 5-star reviews from parents who praise the caring, experienced teachers and nurturing environment. Parents consistently report their children are happy, well-prepared for kindergarten, and eager to attend daily. The school is commended for its bilingual Korean-to-English curriculum, on-site nutritious meals, cleanliness, and strong family communication.

    Caring and kind teacherswarm nurturing environmentexperienced and passionate staffbilingual curriculum (Korean to English)
  5. 5
    Le Petit Gan
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    1071 South Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 39 children

    Le Petit Gan is a highly-regarded center-based daycare in Los Angeles with consistent 5-star reviews. Parents praise the caring staff, strong curriculum, multilingual environment, and focus on child development and safety. Children show significant growth in language skills, social development, and enthusiasm for attending school.

    Caring and loving staffstrong curriculum preparation for kindergartenmultilingual instruction (FrenchHebrew
  6. 6
    John Tracy Clinic
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    806 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children

    Parents consistently praise John Tracy Clinic for exceptional staff professionalism, patience with children, and comprehensive audiological services. The facility is described as clean, well-organized, and welcoming, with minimal wait times and thorough post-appointment communication. Multiple reviewers highlight the clinic's specialized approach to serving deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families.

    Friendly and patient staffclean and beautiful facilityquick appointment timesfree parking
  7. 7
    Got Game Sports
    4.72 score
    4.9(20)

    408 Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children

    Got Game Sports is a highly-rated sports camp and after-school program in Los Angeles with perfect 5/5 ratings across all reviews. Parents consistently praise the enthusiastic, attentive coaches, well-organized activities, field trips, and the program's ability to make children feel safe and excited to attend. The facility is noted as affordable compared to other LA camps and creates a strong sense of community among participants.

    Excellent coaches who are warm and attentiveengaging and well-organized programschildren excited and eager to attendsafe environment
  8. 8

    5262 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children

    Creative Mind Preschool receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring staff, strong curriculum, and supportive community environment. Parents report significant developmental progress in their children across academic, social, and behavioral areas. The school is noted for excellent communication, enriching programs, and creating a safe, happy space where children thrive.

    Dedicated and loving teachersstrong communication and incident reportingvar
  9. 9
    Montessori Preschool
    4.71 score
    5(12)

    4024 Wade Street, Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Parents consistently praise Montessori Preschool for its caring staff, thoughtfully designed Montessori curriculum, and nurturing environment that supports both academic and social development. Children show significant growth in reading, math, confidence, and social skills during their time at the school. Multiple parents highlight the director Ms. Virginia's attentiveness and communication, making them feel confident leaving their children in her care.

    Knowledgeable and caring staffstrong academic curriculum with balanced play-based learningattentive teachers who track individual progresswelcoming and nurturing environment
  10. 10
    Kycc Children'S Center
    4.67 score
    5(10)

    1140 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

    KYCC Children's Center (also referred to as Kids Town in reviews) is a highly-rated preschool offering a trilingual program in English, Korean, and Spanish with a play-based curriculum. Parents consistently praise the warm, caring, and knowledgeable teaching staff, affordable pricing, and strong focus on social-emotional learning. The school serves children ages 2-5 and is noted for creating a nurturing, diverse community where children thrive academically and socially.

Rating Distribution

Based on 379 daycares with Google ratings in Los Angeles

4.5 - 5.0
220
4.0 - 4.4
81
3.0 - 3.9
69
Below 3
9

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 2,408 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Safe environment
16
2Clean facilities
16
3Children enjoy attending
15
4Friendly staff
13
5Affordable pricing
12
6Caring teachers
10
7Happy children
9
8Clean facility
8

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Los Angeles zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
900638
5
1
9004911
4.82
5
900297
4.82
5
9002614
4.82
9
9002510
4.8
4
9006410
4.78
4
9003419
4.78
10
9002218
4.78
5
9006618
4.71
8
9000511
4.71
6

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Los Angeles (9–415 children)

Small

up to 30 children

216

Medium

31–75 children

316

Large

76–150 children

129

Very Large

150+ children

32

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Los Angeles based on parent reviews

East Los Angeles Occupational Center-Head Start

4.7(20)

2100 Marengo Street, Los Angeles, CA

This facility is not a traditional daycare but rather an occupational/vocational training center offering programs like Pharmacy Technician, Algebra, and Electrical classes. All reviews are 5-star ratings praising dedicated instructors, particularly Ms. Sharma in the Pharmacy Technician program, for their passion, support, and effective teaching methods that prepare students for certification exams and real-world success.

Passionate and dedicated instructorsstrong

Little Stars Head Start

4.9(5)

1322 S. New Hampshire, Los Angeles, CA

Little Stars Head Start receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the quality of teaching staff and report that their children had positive learning experiences at the school.

Great teachersgood staffpositive learning experience

C11/Watts Tower Head Start

4.5(20)

1716 E. 105 St, Los Angeles, CA

No valid parent reviews of the daycare center were provided. The reviews submitted are about the Watts Towers Arts Center, a cultural landmark and museum, not about the C11/Watts Tower Head Start daycare facility.

None mentioned for the daycare

Magnolia Head Start

4.5(20)

1910 Magnolia Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

This appears to be a data error - the reviews are for St. John's Clinic, a medical facility providing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, not for Magnolia Head Start daycare. The reviews cannot be accurately used to assess the daycare's quality.

None applicable - reviews are for a different facility

Options - St. Barnabas Head Start

4.8(5)

2109 Chickasaw, Los Angeles, CA

Reviews praise St. Barnabas Episcopal Church's community programs and facilities, including a planned pre-school. The congregation is described as welcoming with quality worship experiences. However, these reviews focus primarily on the church itself rather than the daycare center's operations.

Community programs (gardenyogaBible study)

Cii/Manchester Head Start

4.6(9)

8720 Hoover St., Los Angeles, CA

CII/Manchester Head Start receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring and patient staff, supportive environment for dual-language learners, and family-like atmosphere. However, one parent reported a serious incident involving a staff member who allegedly hit students, claiming the center did not promptly disclose this information to all parents and allowed the teacher to return after the allegation.

Patient and kind staffsupport for dual-language learningparent involvement opportunities

Map

Headstart Programs in Los Angeles, California

There are 84 headstart programs in Los Angeles, California, making up 12% of the 693 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 Los Angeles have an average rating of 4.39 out of 5 across 379 rated facilities, with 58% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.76 stars. Our analysis covers 2,408 parent reviews. Parents in Los Angeles most frequently praise daycares for safe environment, clean facilities, and children enjoy attending.

When choosing a daycare in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles

Showing 84 results

Susan Mandel-Phd. Early Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

A parent reports that their daughter, who attended since age one, developed strong language skills and independence while enjoying the program. The reviewer highlights the teachers' dedication and notes that the child felt well cared for and loved.

helps children develop skillsencourages full sentencesfosters independence
Address
2415 W. Ave. 30, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(818) 949-0019
Euclid Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes the daycare as the best school for their daughter, noting a positive two-year experience with teacher Haidee Salceda. The review highlights that other mothers at the location appreciate the teacher's qualities, and the family expresses that they will miss the staff.

Positive experience with teacher Haidee Salcedasupportive environment with other mothershigh satisfaction with the program
Address
817 S. Euclid Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(626) 572-5107
Cii/South Vermont Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes their two young children's experience at this Head Start program as amazing and caring, noting significant learning progress. They express strong affection for the school and offer a clear recommendation to others.

caring staffsignificant learning progressrecommended by parent
Address
9022 S. Vermont, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Evergreen Heights Head Start State Preschool
Headstart Programs
5

One parent expresses strong satisfaction with Evergreen Heights Head Start, specifically highlighting their affection for the teachers and the overall program structure. The single review provided reflects a highly positive experience with no reported issues.

teachersoverall structures
Address
2923 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(626) 572-5107
C11/ Watts 1v Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes the program as the best school for their daughter, highlighting a positive two-year experience. The reviewer specifically praises teacher Haidee Salceda for being exceptional and notes that other mothers at the center appreciate her work.

Best school experiencededicated teacher Haidee Salcedasupportive community among mothers
Address
11230 South Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Cii/ Central Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes their daughter's two-year experience at the Central Head Start program as excellent, highlighting the high quality of instruction. The reviewer specifically commends teacher Haidee Salceda, noting that she is wonderful and appreciated by other mothers in the program.

high quality educationdedicated teacherspositive teacher-parent relationships
Address
8778 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Cii/Avalon Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes the team at CII/AVALON HEAD START as providing excellent care. The single review highlights positive staff interactions without noting any issues.

Excellent care from the entire team
Address
703 E. 88th Place, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Cii/Harvard Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent describes the program as the best for their two-year-old daughter, highlighting teacher Haidee Salceda as exceptional and noting that other mothers appreciate her. The reviewer expresses that they will miss the staff and community.

excellent teachersupportive communitybest program
Address
1506 W. 61st Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Alatorre Head Start
Headstart Programs
5
Address
5480 Huntington Drive, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 222-9776
Little Friends Head Start/State Preschool
Headstart Programs
5
Address
707 East Kensington Rd., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 250-0972
Norwood Center (Head Start)
Headstart Programs
5
Address
2020 Oak Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 300-5451
Park Place Head Start
Headstart Programs
5
Address
2630 East 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(626) 572-5107
Ramona Garden Head Start
Headstart Programs
5
Address
2830 Lancaster Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(626) 572-5107
Soto Head Start Preschool
Headstart Programs
5
Address
2616 E. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(626) 572-5107
Vernon Head Start And State Preschool
Headstart Programs
5
Address
1024 W. Vernon Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Little Stars Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.9

Little Stars Head Start receives consistently positive feedback from parents, with all reviews rating it 5/5 stars. Parents praise the quality of teaching staff and report that their children had positive learning experiences at the school.

Great teachersgood staffpositive learning experience
Address
1322 S. New Hampshire, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 739-0098
Options - St. Barnabas Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.8

Reviews praise St. Barnabas Episcopal Church's community programs and facilities, including a planned pre-school. The congregation is described as welcoming with quality worship experiences. However, these reviews focus primarily on the church itself rather than the daycare center's operations.

Community programs (gardenyogaBible study)
Address
2109 Chickasaw, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 254-9935
Pace-Early Explorers Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.8
Address
1200 S. Manhattan Place, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 989-3244
East Los Angeles Occupational Center-Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.7

This facility is not a traditional daycare but rather an occupational/vocational training center offering programs like Pharmacy Technician, Algebra, and Electrical classes. All reviews are 5-star ratings praising dedicated instructors, particularly Ms. Sharma in the Pharmacy Technician program, for their passion, support, and effective teaching methods that prepare students for certification exams and real-world success.

Passionate and dedicated instructorsstrong
Address
2100 Marengo Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 223-1283
Cii/Manchester Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.6

CII/Manchester Head Start receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring and patient staff, supportive environment for dual-language learners, and family-like atmosphere. However, one parent reported a serious incident involving a staff member who allegedly hit students, claiming the center did not promptly disclose this information to all parents and allowed the teacher to return after the allegation.

Patient and kind staffsupport for dual-language learningparent involvement opportunities
Address
8720 Hoover St., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 455-1825
C11/Watts Tower Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.5

No valid parent reviews of the daycare center were provided. The reviews submitted are about the Watts Towers Arts Center, a cultural landmark and museum, not about the C11/Watts Tower Head Start daycare facility.

None mentioned for the daycare
Address
1716 E. 105 St, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Magnolia Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.5

This appears to be a data error - the reviews are for St. John's Clinic, a medical facility providing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, not for Magnolia Head Start daycare. The reviews cannot be accurately used to assess the daycare's quality.

None applicable - reviews are for a different facility
Address
1910 Magnolia Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 746-2613
Options Head Start-Highland Park Recrational Ctr
Headstart Programs
4.3

Parents praise Highland Park Recreational Center for its friendly staff, diverse recreational facilities, and positive community environment. The facility offers good value programs including field trips, sports activities, and a well-maintained playground. Some concerns are noted about overcrowding in the indoor gym and homeless presence in the surrounding area.

friendly and motivational staffexcellent playground with climbing tower and slidemultiple sports programs
Address
6150 Piedmont, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 257-5924
Pace Head Start-Christian Fellowship
Headstart Programs
4.2

One parent describes a multi-generational connection to the program, noting satisfaction with the care and education despite staff shortages following the pandemic. Conversely, another parent reports withdrawing their child due to a lack of teachers and an unorganized system.

dedicated carequality educationmulti-generational trust
Address
2085 So. Hobart, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 766-0722
Good Beginnings Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.1

Good Beginnings Head Start receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with praise for dedicated staff, quality curriculum, nutritious meals, and clean facilities. However, a few parents raise concerns about administrative issues, staffing levels, scheduling inconsistencies, and a serious safety incident.

Caring and professional staffstructured curriculumwelcoming environment for parents
Address
1839 S. Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 744-1347
Ypi Early Head Start Center Vine
Headstart Programs
3.8
Address
1147 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 893-8067
C11/Nickerson Gardens Head Start
Headstart Programs
3.7
Address
11253 S. Compton Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 385-5100
Usc Head Start
Headstart Programs
3.5

USC HEAD START receives mixed reviews ranging from 5/5 to 1/5 stars. While many parents praise the clean facilities, caring teachers, and positive learning experiences, several parents report serious concerns including alleged inappropriate teacher behavior, administrative communication issues, and claims of discrimination based on family structure and parental demographics.

Clean and safe facilitiescaring and friendly teacherspositive learning outcomes
Address
741 West 27th Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 743-2466
Crystal Stairs INC. Head Start-Main Street
Headstart Programs
3.4

Crystal Stairs Inc. Head Start receives mostly positive feedback praising the program's quality, dedicated staff, and support for underserved communities in South Los Angeles. However, several parents report poor customer service experiences with front desk staff, citing unhelpful attitudes and unprofessional phone interactions. One parent dispute involved conflicting accounts of a pickup incident.

Safe and nurturing environmentknowledgeable and dedicated staffch
Address
11819 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(323) 421-2662
Evans Head Start/State Preschool
Headstart Programs
3

One parent describes EVANS HEAD START/STATE PRESCHOOL as not being a good school. No specific reasons for this negative assessment are provided in the available feedback.

Address
717 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA
Phone
(213) 628-8865

Page 1 of 3· 84 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 84 headstart programs daycares in Los Angeles, California, out of 693 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 Los Angeles have an average Google rating of 4.39 out of 5 across 379 rated facilities. About 58% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 554 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 84 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 16 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 39 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 Los Angeles for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Los Angeles 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.