Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Alton, IL

Compare 1 headstart programs in Alton. Average rating: 4.25/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Alton, Illinois at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.25/5
Parent reviews
70
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Alton has 1 licensed headstart programs with 70 parent reviews averaging 4.25/5.The largest concentration is in 62002 with 8 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Alton

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
    Ywca Of Alton'S Child Enrichment Program
    4.4 score
    4.5(20)

    304 E 3rd St, Alton, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 30 children

    Reviews praise the YWCA facility for its beautiful historic architecture, well-maintained amenities including a gym and pool, and friendly staff. The center hosts various community events and programs. Most reviewers highlight the welcoming atmosphere and quality of classes and services offered.

    Beautiful historic buildingfriendly staffyoga classesgym and pool facilities
  2. 2
    St. Francis Day Care Center
    4.4 score
    4.5(20)

    710 College Avenue, Alton, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 150 children

    St. Francis Day Care Center in Alton receives consistently high praise from parents who value the caring, family-oriented atmosphere and strong staff-child relationships. Parents highlight excellent communication, developmental growth, and a sense of safety and trust in the facility. Many note the center has a long wait list and express strong loyalty, with some families returning across generations.

    Caring and attentive staffstrong family atmosphereexcellent communication with daily updates and photosconsistent caregivers
  3. 3
    Step By Step
    4 score
    4(6)

    2400 Locust Street, Alton, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 71 children

    Step by Step in Alton receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff being highlighted as caring, communicative, and effective at child development. The center is particularly noted for its pre-K program that prepares children well for kindergarten. One reviewer mentioned limited positive feedback beyond location and hours convenience.

    Excellent and friendly staffstrong communicationeffective pre-K programgood kindergarten preparation
  4. 4
    Maxines Daycare INC
    3.46 score
    3.3(17)

    739 Silver St, Alton, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children

    Parents consistently praise Maxine's Daycare for its caring, loving staff and child development progress. Multiple reviewers emphasize that teachers treat children like family and provide engaging activities. The facility receives universal 5-star ratings from recent reviews.

    Caring and loving staffstrong child development and academic focusengaging activitiestreats children like family

Rating Distribution

Based on 6 daycares with Google ratings in Alton

4.5 - 5.0
3
4.0 - 4.4
2
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.26avg rating
7 daycares · 5 rated

Headstart Programs

4.2avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Alton zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
620028
4.25
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Alton (23–169 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

2

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

2

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Alton based on parent reviews

Riverbend Head Start/Family Services-Ess

4.2(3)

1802 E Broadway, Alton, IL

One parent highlights the facility as an excellent community resource with very caring staff, while another expresses strong dissatisfaction, claiming the program harms vulnerable community members. This contrast reflects isolated experiences ranging from high satisfaction with staff to severe ethical concerns about the organization's impact.

Excellent community resourcevery caring staff

Map

Daycare types in Alton

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Headstart Programs 1

Headstart Programs in Alton, Illinois

There are 1 headstart programs in Alton, Illinois, making up 13% of the 8 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 Alton have an average rating of 4.25 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities, with 50% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.26 stars. Our analysis covers 70 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Alton, 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 Alton

Showing 1 results

Riverbend Head Start/Family Services-Ess
Headstart Programs
4.2

One parent highlights the facility as an excellent community resource with very caring staff, while another expresses strong dissatisfaction, claiming the program harms vulnerable community members. This contrast reflects isolated experiences ranging from high satisfaction with staff to severe ethical concerns about the organization's impact.

Excellent community resourcevery caring staff
Address
1802 E Broadway, Alton, IL
Phone
(618) 463-5933

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Alton, Illinois, out of 8 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 Alton have an average Google rating of 4.25 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities. About 50% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Alton, 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
Alton offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 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 Alton for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Alton 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.