Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Gary, IN

Compare 2 headstart programs in Gary. Average rating: 4.36/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Gary, Indiana at a glance

Programs
2
Avg rating
4.36/5
Parent reviews
85
Top rated (4.5+)
8

Gary has 2 licensed headstart programs with 85 parent reviews averaging 4.36/5.8 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 57% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 46408 zip code, averaging 4.6 stars across 7 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Gary

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
    Lovefeast Day Care Ministry
    4.49 score
    4.7(12)

    2456 Chase Street, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Reviews are not relevant to daycare services. The facility appears to be primarily a church (Love Feast COGIC) rather than a daycare center, with reviews focusing on church membership, pastoral leadership, and spiritual experiences rather than childcare quality or programs.

    Welcoming and inclusive communitycompassionate pastor and staffspiritual environment
  2. 2
    King'S Care Registered Ministries
    4.45 score
    4.9(5)

    500 East Ridge Road, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    King's Care Registered Ministries is a faith-based daycare center in Gary, Indiana with a 4.9/5 rating. Parents consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, spiritual experience including worship services, and quality childcare provided. The facility is noted for being Covid-friendly.

    Welcoming staffspiritual/worship experiencequality childcareCovid-friendly practices
  3. 3
    Train Up A Child Learning Center LLC
    4.29 score
    4.5(7)

    3601 Grant St, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children

    Parents consistently praise Train Up A Child Learning Center for its caring, knowledgeable staff and positive learning environment. Children are reported to be happy, safe, and making good developmental progress. One parent raised concerns about aftercare pricing.

    Caring and engaging staffchild safety and well-beingearly childhood development expertiseeducational and fun teaching approach
  4. 4
    Young Children'S Accelerated Academy
    4.16 score
    4.2(20)

    150 W 15th Ave, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 45 children

    Reviews praise the facility's friendly staff, excellent safety measures, and diverse programs including fitness classes, swimming, and events. The center offers quality amenities and is viewed as a valuable community resource in Gary, Indiana.

    Friendly and excellent staffstrong safety and COVID protection measuresnice gym facilitieswater aerobics classes
  5. 5
    Life Changers Early Learning & Aftercare Academy
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    5050 Vermont Street, Suite A, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Life Changers Early Learning & Aftercare Academy in Gary, Indiana receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, with most praising the dedicated staff, particularly director Mrs. Bradley, and the caring environment. One review mentions a concern about a child's injury, though details are limited.

    Caring and dedicated staffMrs. Bradley's leadership and commitment to childrenlong-term quality careChristian values
  6. 6
    Life Changers Early Learning & Aftercare Steam Academy #2
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    5050 Vermont Street, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    LIFE CHANGERS Early Learning & Aftercare STEAM Academy #2 receives predominantly positive reviews highlighting dedicated, compassionate staff led by Mrs. Bradley. Parents praise the facility's caring environment, staff commitment, and long-term positive experiences with children. One parent reported safety concerns including a child's broken arm.

    caring and dedicated staffMrs. Bradley's leadership and reliabilityChristian valuesSTEAM curriculum
  7. 7
    Life Changers Early Learning & Aftercare Steam Academy #3
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    5050 Vermont Street, Suite C, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Parents consistently praise LIFE CHANGERS EARLY LEARNING & AFTERCARE STEAM ACADEMY #3 for its caring staff and supportive environment. Multiple reviewers highlight the leadership of Mrs. Bradley and the dedication of teachers like Ms. Tracy and Ms. Tonya. One negative review mentions a child injury, though details are limited.

    Understanding and compassionate staffgoes above and beyond for children and familiesstrong Christian valueslong-term enrollment satisfaction
  8. 8
    Elka Child Educational Center INC
    3.69 score
    3.5(8)

    1953 Georgia Street, Gary, IN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 163 children

    ELKA Child Educational Center receives mixed reviews with significant concerns outweighing positives. While some parents praise friendly staff, security, and cleanliness, numerous recent reviews report serious issues including inadequate supervision, safety incidents, improper child care practices, and unprofessional staff conduct.

    Friendly staffhelpfulsecurity and camerasclean and well-organized facility

Rating Distribution

Based on 14 daycares with Google ratings in Gary

4.5 - 5.0
8
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
5
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.36avg rating
21 daycares · 14 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Church Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Gary zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
464087
4.6
2
464097
4.08
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Gary (14–163 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

5

Large

76–150 children

3

Very Large

150+ children

1

Map

Daycare types in Gary

Child Daycare & Preschools 21Headstart Programs 2Church Daycare 1

Headstart Programs in Gary, Indiana

There are 2 headstart programs in Gary, Indiana, making up 8% of the 24 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 Gary have an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 14 rated facilities, with 57% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.36 stars. Our analysis covers 85 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Gary, 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 Gary

Showing 2 results

Geminus Head Start - St Mark'S School
Headstart Programs

One parent highlights the wonderful director and professional environment for early learners. Another parent reports a frustrating experience involving excessive administrative hurdles, unexpected home visits, and confusing guidance during enrollment.

professional environmentwonderful directordedicated staff
Address
3880 Jackson Street, Gary, IN
Phone
(219) 985-6275
Geminus Head Start St Mary'S
Headstart Programs
Address
6070 Miller Ave, Gary, IN
Phone
(219) 427-1384

Page 1 of 1· 2 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 2 headstart programs daycares in Gary, Indiana, out of 24 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 Gary have an average Google rating of 4.36 out of 5 across 14 rated facilities. About 57% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Gary, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Indiana's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Indiana)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Gary offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 21 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 2 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 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 Indiana 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 Gary for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Gary must be licensed by Indiana'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.