Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Novato, CA

Compare 5 headstart programs in Novato. Average rating: 4.47/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Novato, California at a glance

Programs
5
Avg rating
4.47/5
Parent reviews
102
Top rated (4.5+)
18

Novato has 5 licensed headstart programs with 102 parent reviews averaging 4.47/5.18 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 72% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 94945 (avg 5 stars), while 94949 has the largest selection (20 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Novato

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
    Indian Valley College Children'S Center
    4.7 score
    4.9(18)

    1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 28 children

    Reviews consistently praise Indian Valley College Children's Center for its beautiful, spacious campus setting with pleasant natural surroundings, trails, and access to various facilities. Parents appreciate the quiet, well-maintained location suitable for outdoor activities and events. Some mention COVID-19 restrictions as a limitation.

    Beautiful campusspacious groundspleasant trails and natural settingquiet location
  2. 2
    Novato Parents Nursery School INC
    4.69 score
    5(11)

    1473 South Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 26 children

    Novato Parents Nursery School is a cooperative preschool in Novato, California with consistently excellent ratings. Parents praise the play-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, outdoor learning environment, supportive teachers, and strong community aspect where parents work one day per week in the classroom.

    Play-based learningoutdoor focusReggio Emilia inspired curriculumknowledgeable and nurturing teachers
  3. 3
    Noah'S Ark Preschool
    4.37 score
    4.6(8)

    1370 South Novato Boulevard, Novato, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 100 children

    Noah's Ark Preschool in Novato receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents who praise the caring staff, clean facilities, strong curriculum, and excellent kindergarten preparation. However, one parent reported serious concerns including alleged failure to share student information with a legal guardian, documentation bias, and lack of communication from administration.

    caring and knowledgeable staffdaily communication via HiMama app with photosclean an
  4. 4
    Marin Ymca @ Rancho (Sa)
    3.92 score
    3.9(20)

    1430 Johnson Street, Novato, CA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 70 children

    The reviews provided are not for daycare services but rather for the YMCA sports and fitness facility. This appears to be a mismatch between the facility type listed (CENTER BASED daycare) and the actual reviews received, which focus on gym amenities, classes, and memberships.

    Clean and well-maintained facilitiesaffordable membership with sliding scale pricingexcellent amenities including poolsauna

Rating Distribution

Based on 25 daycares with Google ratings in Novato

4.5 - 5.0
18
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
7
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.74avg rating
36 daycares · 20 rated

Headstart Programs

3avg rating
5 daycares · 4 rated

Before or After School Daycare

5avg rating
2 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Novato zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
949458
5
5
9494715
4.69
9
9494920
3.9
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Novato (16–197 children)

Small

up to 30 children

17

Medium

31–75 children

18

Large

76–150 children

6

Very Large

150+ children

2

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Novato based on parent reviews

C.A.M. - Marin Head Start (Ps)

3

5530 Nave Drive, Novato, CA

C.A.M.- Marin Head Start Meadow Park (Inf)

3

5 Hutchins Way, Novato, CA

C.A.M.-Marin Head Start Ivc (Inf)

3

1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato, CA

C.A.M.-Marin Head Start Hamilton Site (Inf)

3

5520 Nave Drive, Novato, CA

Map

Daycare types in Novato

Child Daycare & Preschools 36Headstart Programs 5Before or After School Daycare 2

Browse by type in Novato

🎨 Preschools 9👶 Infant & Toddler 3📚 Kindergarten 3

Headstart Programs in Novato, California

There are 5 headstart programs in Novato, California, making up 12% of the 43 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 Novato have an average rating of 4.47 out of 5 across 25 rated facilities, with 72% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Before or After School Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 102 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Novato, 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 Novato

Showing 5 results

C.A.M. - Marin Head Start (Ps)
Headstart Programs
3
Address
5530 Nave Drive, Novato, CA
Phone
(415) 883-3791
C.A.M.- Marin Head Start Meadow Park (Inf)
Headstart Programs
3
Address
5 Hutchins Way, Novato, CA
Phone
(415) 884-2004
C.A.M.-Marin Head Start Ivc (Inf)
Headstart Programs
3
Address
1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato, CA
Phone
(415) 883-2211
C.A.M.-Marin Head Start Hamilton Site (Inf)
Headstart Programs
3
Address
5520 Nave Drive, Novato, CA
Phone
(415) 883-5318
C.A.M.- Marin Head Start Lynwood (Ps)
Headstart Programs
Address
1320 Lynwood Drive, Novato, CA
Phone
(415) 883-3791

Page 1 of 1· 5 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 5 headstart programs daycares in Novato, California, out of 43 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 Novato have an average Google rating of 4.47 out of 5 across 25 rated facilities. About 72% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Novato, 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
Novato offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 36 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 5 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 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 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 Novato for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Novato 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.