Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Fort Dodge, IA

Compare 1 headstart programs in Fort Dodge. Average rating: 4.21/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Fort Dodge, Iowa at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.21/5
Parent reviews
21
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Fort Dodge has 1 licensed headstart programs with 21 parent reviews averaging 4.21/5.The largest concentration is in 50501 with 13 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Fort Dodge

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
    Little Lambs Preschool-Gslc
    4.37 score
    4.6(8)

    1436 21st Ave N, Fort Dodge, IA · Church Daycare · Capacity: 19 children

    Little Lambs Preschool-GSLC is a religious facility in Fort Dodge, Iowa with an average rating of 4.6/5. Parents consistently praise the welcoming community atmosphere and well-organized events, particularly highlighting their free Halloween activities including pumpkin carving, trunk-or-treating, and family-friendly festivities.

    Welcoming and friendly communitywell-organized eventsfree activities for familiesgood facilities

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Fort Dodge

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

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Fort Dodge, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.9avg rating
6 daycares · 4 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4.3avg rating
4 daycares · 1 rated

Church Daycare

4.8avg rating
2 daycares · 2 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Fort Dodge zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
5050113
4.21
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Fort Dodge (19–281 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

3

Large

76–150 children

4

Very Large

150+ children

3

Map

Daycare types in Fort Dodge

Child Daycare & Preschools 6Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 2Before or After School Daycare 4

Browse by type in Fort Dodge

🎨 Preschools 4

Headstart Programs in Fort Dodge, Iowa

There are 1 headstart programs in Fort Dodge, Iowa, making up 8% of the 13 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 Fort Dodge have an average rating of 4.21 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 43% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 4.8 stars. Our analysis covers 21 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge

Showing 1 results

Fort Dodge Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
3611 Maple Dr, Fort Dodge, IA
Phone
(515) 573-2453

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Fort Dodge, Iowa, out of 13 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 Fort Dodge have an average Google rating of 4.21 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 43% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Fort Dodge, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Iowa's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Iowa)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Fort Dodge offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 6 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 2 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 4 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 Iowa 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 Fort Dodge for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Fort Dodge must be licensed by Iowa'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.