Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Mason City, IA

Compare 3 headstart programs in Mason City. Average rating: 4.03/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Mason City, Iowa at a glance

Programs
3
Avg rating
4.03/5
Parent reviews
59
Top rated (4.5+)
2

Mason City has 3 licensed headstart programs with 59 parent reviews averaging 4.03/5.The largest concentration is in 50401 with 14 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Mason City

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 Angel'S Child Care And Preschool
    4.33 score
    4.6(6)

    811 N Kentucky Ave, Mason City, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 156 children

    Parents consistently praise Little Angel's Child Care and Preschool for its responsive, caring staff and clean, organized facility. The center is noted for making improvements based on parent feedback and maintaining happy, engaged children. Owners are described as understanding and accessible to parent concerns.

    attentive and friendly staffclean facilitywell-organizedquality meals
  2. 2
    Ymca Summer Camp/After-School Program
    4.32 score
    4.4(20)

    1840 S Monroe Ave, Mason City, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 200 children

    This facility is highly rated for its comprehensive fitness amenities including Olympic-sized pool, therapy pool, hot tub, saunas, and extensive exercise equipment. Parents and members praise the friendly and helpful staff, quality classes, and welcoming atmosphere. The facility serves both fitness and therapeutic needs effectively.

    Excellent pool facilities (Olympic-sizedtherapy pool with warm water)comprehensive exercise equipment (weightsmachines
  3. 3
    Washington Charlie Brown Ps And Cc
    3.53 score
    3.2(7)

    700 N Washington Ave, Mason City, IA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 167 children

    Washington Charlie Brown PS receives mixed reviews. Multiple parents praise the friendly staff, security measures, staff-to-child ratios, flexibility, and care quality for children. However, several parents report significant dissatisfaction with management and billing practices, particularly citing issues with the director.

    Friendly and caring staffgood security measuresappropriate staff-to-child ratiosflexible scheduling

Rating Distribution

Based on 6 daycares with Google ratings in Mason City

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

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in Mason City, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.03avg rating
10 daycares · 6 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
3 daycares

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Mason City zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
5040114
4.03
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Mason City (20–324 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

4

Large

76–150 children

1

Very Large

150+ children

5

Map

Daycare types in Mason City

Child Daycare & Preschools 10Headstart Programs 3Before or After School Daycare 1

Browse by type in Mason City

🎨 Preschools 6

Headstart Programs in Mason City, Iowa

There are 3 headstart programs in Mason City, Iowa, making up 21% of the 14 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 Mason City have an average rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities, with 33% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.03 stars. Our analysis covers 59 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Mason City, 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 Mason City

Showing 3 results

Nicao Head Start-Hoover
Headstart Programs
Address
1123 8th St Nw, Mason City, IA
Phone
(641) 421-4408
Nicao Head Start-Harding
Headstart Programs
Address
1239 N Rhode Island Ave, Mason City, IA
Phone
(641) 421-4406
Nicao Head Start-Roosevelt
Headstart Programs
Address
313 15th St Se, Mason City, IA
Phone
(641) 421-4415

Page 1 of 1· 3 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 3 headstart programs daycares in Mason City, Iowa, out of 14 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 Mason City have an average Google rating of 4.03 out of 5 across 6 rated facilities. About 33% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Mason City, 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
Mason City offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 10 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 3 facilities
  • Before or After School 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 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 Mason City for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Mason City 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.