Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Charleston, IL

Compare 1 headstart programs in Charleston. Average rating: 3.9/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Charleston, Illinois at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
3.9/5
Parent reviews
10
Top rated (4.5+)
1

Charleston offers 1 licensed headstart programs, 3 of which have public ratings averaging 3.9/5.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Charleston

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
    Cornerstone Christian Academy
    3.75 score
    3.5(5)

    661 Castle Dr, # B, Charleston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 173 children

    Cornerstone Christian Academy receives mixed reviews with significant safety concerns. Positive reviews praise the staff's warmth, educational curriculum including Bible, sign language and Spanish, and child development. However, multiple recent reviews document serious incidents involving bullying, physical injuries, inadequate teacher response, and alleged failures to report and address abuse.

    Loving and friendly staffcomprehensive curriculum (Biblesign languageSpanish)
  2. 2
    Stepping Stones Children'S Center
    3.6 score
    3.2(5)

    240 Decker Springs Rd, Charleston, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 77 children

    Stepping Stones Children's Center has highly polarized reviews. While one long-term parent reports their child loves attending, multiple recent reviews cite serious concerns about director professionalism, facility cleanliness, inadequate staffing, and poor handling of behavioral issues. One reviewer alleges past physical mistreatment by staff.

    Teaching staff described as caring and loving toward childrenLong-term parent satisfaction

Rating Distribution

Based on 3 daycares with Google ratings in Charleston

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.9avg rating
5 daycares · 3 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Charleston zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
619206
3.9
1

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Charleston (20–173 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

0

Large

76–150 children

3

Very Large

150+ children

1

Map

Daycare types in Charleston

Child Daycare & Preschools 5Headstart Programs 1

Headstart Programs in Charleston, Illinois

There are 1 headstart programs in Charleston, Illinois, making up 17% of the 6 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 Charleston have an average rating of 3.9 out of 5 across 3 rated facilities, with 33% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 3.9 stars. Our analysis covers 10 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Charleston, 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 Charleston

Showing 1 results

Erba-Charleston Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
697 Windsor Rd, Charleston, IL
Phone
(217) 923-5141

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Charleston, Illinois, out of 6 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 Charleston have an average Google rating of 3.9 out of 5 across 3 rated facilities. About 33% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Charleston, 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
Charleston offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 5 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 Charleston for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Charleston 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.