Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Waukegan, IL

Compare 1 headstart programs in Waukegan. Average rating: 4.36/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Waukegan, Illinois at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.36/5
Parent reviews
66
Top rated (4.5+)
9

Waukegan has 1 licensed headstart programs with 66 parent reviews averaging 4.36/5.9 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 60% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 60085 zip code, averaging 4.71 stars across 16 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Waukegan

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
    A.A.U.W. Nursery School
    4.79 score
    5(19)

    2500 N Northern Ave, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children

    Parents consistently praise A.A.U.W. Nursery School for its play-based curriculum, caring staff, and unique outdoor learning environment. The school fosters strong community connections and family involvement, with multiple families attending across generations. Children are described as thriving in a nurturing, developmentally appropriate setting without pressure or screen time.

    Play-based curriculumcaring and supportive stafflarge outdoor learning area (LearnScape)bright classrooms
  2. 2
    Maggie'S Place Childcare & Lng Center
    4.49 score
    4.7(12)

    1605 N Berwick Blvd, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 57 children

    Maggie's Place Childcare & Learning Center in Waukegan receives consistently high praise from parents across multiple generations. Parents highlight the responsive, caring staff, strong curriculum, and safe, nurturing environment that promotes children's overall development and wellness. Children reportedly enjoy attending and leave well-prepared for school.

    Responsive and caring staffstrong curriculumsafe and friendly atmosphereexcellent communication with parents
  3. 3
    Busy Bee Children'S Center
    4.3 score
    4.6(5)

    2115 S Ernie Krueger Cir, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 139 children

    Busy Bee Children's Center receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the caring staff, educational programs, and safe environment. The center has built strong family loyalty, with some families returning across generations. However, one parent reported serious concerns about special needs accommodation and child care practices.

    caring and loving stafffun and educational programsstructured environmentsafe facility
  4. 4
    College Of Lake County Children'S Center
    4.25 score
    4.4(8)

    33 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 36 children

    Reviews are mixed, though mostly positive. Multiple reviewers praise the college's new campus, staff professionalism, and helpful services, with several noting it as a top community college option. One reviewer expressed frustration with limited hours for off-campus services that don't align with overnight work schedules.

    Beautiful new campusprofessional and kind staffhelpful communicationexcellent courses and support services
  5. 5
    Charlotte'S Learning Center INC
    4.15 score
    4.3(5)

    2215 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 51 children

    Parents consistently praise Charlotte's Learning Center for its warm, caring environment and compassionate staff. Children are reported to be comfortable and eager to attend, with families feeling welcomed and treated like family. The owner is highlighted as sweet, responsible, and dedicated to the children's well-being.

    Caring and kind teacherscomfortable environment for childrenfamily-like treatmentresponsible owner
  6. 6
    Prime Time Day Care
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    500 Greenbay Rd, Waukegan, IL · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 35 children

    Prime Time Day Care receives mixed reviews. Three parents praise the staff flexibility, cleanliness, reasonable pricing, and child development, while two parents report serious concerns including poor hygiene, staff inattentiveness, inappropriate language exposure, injuries, and aggressive tuition collection practices.

    Patient and flexible staffreasonable weekly ratesclean facilitychildren learn and thrive

Rating Distribution

Based on 15 daycares with Google ratings in Waukegan

4.5 - 5.0
9
4.0 - 4.4
3
3.0 - 3.9
2
Below 3
1

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.36avg rating
18 daycares · 15 rated

Church Daycare

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Waukegan zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
6008516
4.71
7

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Waukegan (16–151 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

12

Large

76–150 children

6

Very Large

150+ children

1

Map

Daycare types in Waukegan

Child Daycare & Preschools 18Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 2

Headstart Programs in Waukegan, Illinois

There are 1 headstart programs in Waukegan, Illinois, making up 5% of the 21 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 Waukegan have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 15 rated facilities, with 60% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.36 stars. Our analysis covers 66 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Waukegan, 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 Waukegan

Showing 1 results

Waukegan North Head Start Center
Headstart Programs
Address
565 Powell Ave, Waukegan, IL
Phone
(847) 249-4330

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Waukegan, Illinois, out of 21 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 Waukegan have an average Google rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 15 rated facilities. About 60% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Waukegan, 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
Waukegan offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 18 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church 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 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 Waukegan for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Waukegan 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.