Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Peoria, IL

Compare 6 headstart programs in Peoria. Average rating: 4.28/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Peoria, Illinois at a glance

Programs
6
Avg rating
4.28/5
Parent reviews
344
Top rated (4.5+)
14

Peoria has 6 licensed headstart programs with 344 parent reviews averaging 4.28/5.14 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 58% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around 61614 (avg 4.48 stars), while 61615 has the largest selection (9 programs).Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Peoria

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
    Salem Lutheran Church Nursery School
    4.58 score
    5(7)

    1700 W War Memorial Dr, Peoria, IL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 36 children

    Salem Lutheran Church Nursery School in Peoria receives consistently positive reviews from parents. Parents praise the caring, communicative staff, small class sizes allowing individual attention, strong kindergarten preparation, clean facilities, and reasonable pricing. Children reportedly thrive both academically and socially.

    caring and dedicated teachersexcellent communication with parentssmall class sizes with individual attentionstrong academic preparation for kindergarten
  2. 2
    Neighborhood House Day Care Ct
    4.58 score
    4.8(13)

    1020 South Matthew Street, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 118 children

    Neighborhood House Day Care CT in Peoria receives consistently high praise from community members. The facility is recognized not only for child care and after-school programs, but also for its broader community impact including meals on wheels, food pantry services, and GED classes. Parents and patrons highlight excellent staff, well-maintained facilities, and strong community contribution.

    Well-maintained facilityfriendly and courteous staffgood food qualitycomprehensive programs (child care
  3. 3
    Everyday Discoveries Preschool & Daycare
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    8823 N Industrial Rd, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 138 children

    Parents consistently praise Everyday Discoveries for its caring, attentive staff and welcoming environment. All reviews highlight visible child development, cleanliness, educational activities, and strong communication with families. The facility is frequently described as feeling like a second home where children thrive both socially and academically.

    Caring and professional staffclean and well-maintained facilityeducational and varied activitiesstrong parent communication
  4. 4
    Redeemer Lutheran Preschool & Child Care
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    6801 N. Allen Road, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 160 children

    Redeemer Lutheran Preschool & Child Care receives consistently high praise from parents and community members. Reviews highlight the center's educational curriculum, faith-based approach, supportive staff, and comprehensive community assistance programs including food pantry services and financial aid. Parents report their children thrive academically and socially while looking forward to attending.

    Education-centered curriculumfaith-based programwarm and friendl
  5. 5
    Polliwogs Child Care
    4.45 score
    4.7(9)

    6521 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 46 children

    Polliwogs Child Care in Peoria receives overwhelmingly positive reviews (7 five-star ratings) praising the caring staff, educational curriculum, and family-oriented atmosphere. However, one negative review raises serious concerns about toddler room supervision, staff responsiveness to parent concerns, and administrative handling of billing inquiries.

    Caring and nurturing staffsmall class sizeseducational activities and curriculumclean and safe facility
  6. 6
    Northminster Presbyterian Church
    4.41 score
    4.6(11)

    10720 N Knoxville Ave, Peoria, IL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 150 children

    Northminster Presbyterian Church's Learning Center receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the Christ-focused environment, caring staff, and welcoming community atmosphere. The facility is well-maintained and offers quality preschool programs. However, the program has significant capacity limitations with a lengthy waiting list for the 2-year-old program.

    Christ-centered curriculumcaring and accessible teachers and staffwelcoming family atmospherewell-maintained facility
  7. 7
    Appletree Academy INC.
    4.4 score
    4.5(20)

    1601 W Alta Rd, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 143 children

    AppleTree Academy receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, welcoming staff, clean and well-organized facilities, and educational programming. Parents highlight excellent communication through apps and updates, successful child development outcomes, and a warm, home-like environment that helps children thrive across all age groups from infants through preschool.

    Caring and nurturing staffclean and well-organized facilitywelcoming environmentexcellent parent communication
  8. 8
    Pals Preschool And Kindergarten
    4.37 score
    4.5(14)

    2327 West Willow Knolls Rd.#4, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 147 children

    PALS Preschool and Kindergarten receives universal praise from parents who describe it as a caring, family-oriented facility with attentive staff and strong educational programming. Parents consistently highlight the teachers' genuine care for children, regular communication through photos and updates, and the welcoming environment that makes them feel confident leaving their children there.

    caring and attentive staffdaily updates and photos via Brightwheel appclean facilitystrong emotional guidance and teaching
  9. 9
    123 You-N-Me Preschool INC.
    4.32 score
    4.5(9)

    809 W Detweiller Dr, Peoria, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 169 children

    123 You 'N Me Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents, with staff described as caring, attentive, and individually responsive to each child. The facility is noted for its cleanliness, safety measures, educational programming, and long-standing owner involvement. One parent raised concerns about closure decisions during minor weather/power issues and full-day payment policies.

    Caring and responsive staffindividualized attentionowner involvementsafe environment with security measures
  10. 10
    First Federated Church Preschools
    4.32 score
    4.5(9)

    3601 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, IL · Church Daycare · Capacity: 88 children

    First Federated Church Preschools receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with parents praising the knowledgeable and personal staff, strong faith-based community, and quality children's programming. The facility is noted for its welcoming atmosphere and professional care. One negative review cited rudeness from staff when calling.

    knowledgeable and personal stafffaith-based communitychildren love teachersprofessional care

Rating Distribution

Based on 24 daycares with Google ratings in Peoria

4.5 - 5.0
14
4.0 - 4.4
4
3.0 - 3.9
5
Below 3
1

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 344 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Welcoming environment
4
2Individualized attention
3
3Clean facility
3
4Caring and professional staff
3

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.18avg rating
29 daycares · 20 rated

Headstart Programs

5avg rating
6 daycares · 1 rated

Church Daycare

4.7avg rating
3 daycares · 3 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Peoria zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
616148
4.48
5
616159
4.46
4
616058
4.15
2
616036
3.57
0

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Peoria (11–240 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

6

Large

76–150 children

19

Very Large

150+ children

10

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Peoria based on parent reviews

Head Start At Harrison School

5(1)

2727 W Krause Ave, Peoria, IL

A single reviewer highlights the program's strong teaching staff as a positive aspect. However, the same parent notes that the surrounding neighborhood is not considered the best in Peoria.

great teaching staff

Map

Daycare types in Peoria

Child Daycare & Preschools 29Headstart Programs 6Church Daycare 3

Browse by type in Peoria

🎨 Preschools 6

Headstart Programs in Peoria, Illinois

There are 6 headstart programs in Peoria, Illinois, making up 16% of the 38 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 Peoria have an average rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 24 rated facilities, with 58% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 344 parent reviews. Parents in Peoria most frequently praise daycares for welcoming environment, individualized attention, and clean facility.

When choosing a daycare in Peoria, 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 Peoria

Showing 6 results

Head Start At Harrison School
Headstart Programs
5

A single reviewer highlights the program's strong teaching staff as a positive aspect. However, the same parent notes that the surrounding neighborhood is not considered the best in Peoria.

great teaching staff
Address
2727 W Krause Ave, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 671-3960
Head Start At Woodruff High School
Headstart Programs
Address
1800 Ne Perry Ave, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 671-3960
Webster Pcceo Headstart Center
Headstart Programs

One parent reports that a teacher was unprepared for their autistic child, ignored special needs evaluations, and was rude, leading to the child's removal from the program. Another review states the program is unsuitable for children with developmental disabilities due to a lack of support from the disability coordinator and significant delays in IEP responses, while a third comment notes unanswered communication.

Address
923 W Millman St, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 671-3960
Trewyn Pk Pavillion Pcceo Head Start Ctr
Headstart Programs

One parent reports that a teacher was unprepared to support a child with autism, ignored medical needs, and responded rudely to complaints, leading to the child's removal. Another reviewer cites significant delays in IEP responses, lack of support from the disability coordinator, and unresponsiveness to inquiries.

Address
2219 South Idaho, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 671-3958
Head Start At Manual High School
Headstart Programs
Address
811 S Griswold St, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 671-3969
Pierson Hills Early Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
1826 N Lehman Rd, Peoria, IL
Phone
(309) 495-5254

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Frequently asked questions

There are 6 headstart programs daycares in Peoria, Illinois, out of 38 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 Peoria have an average Google rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 24 rated facilities. About 58% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Peoria, 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
Peoria offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 29 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 6 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 3 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 Peoria for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Peoria 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.