Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in East Boston, MA

Compare 4 headstart programs in East Boston. Average rating: 4.43/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

East Boston, Massachusetts at a glance

Programs
4
Avg rating
4.43/5
Parent reviews
83
Top rated (4.5+)
4

East Boston has 4 licensed headstart programs with 83 parent reviews averaging 4.43/5.The highest-rated options cluster around the 02128 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 18 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in East Boston

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
    The Social Sprouts Extended Day Program/Central Square Center
    4.48 score
    4.6(20)

    68 Central Sq, East Boston, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 179 children

    The Social Sprouts Extended Day Program receives consistently positive feedback from parents and community members. Parents praise the quality of activities, friendly staff, clean facilities, and reasonable pricing. The center is valued as an important community resource offering both daycare/after-school programs and event space.

    Quality activitiesfriendly and nice staffclean atmospherereasonable pricing
  2. 2
    Ymca Of Greater Boston Children'S Center At Bremen Street
    4.24 score
    4.3(20)

    215 Breman Street, East Boston, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 93 children

    Reviews are predominantly positive with a 4.3/5 rating. However, most reviews appear to focus on the YMCA facility itself rather than the children's center specifically. Parents praise the facility's cleanliness, staff attentiveness, swimming pool, and community atmosphere.

    Clean and well-organized facilityattentive and supportive staffexcellent communication with familiesswimming pool
  3. 3
    Ymca Of Greater Boston At The Adams Elementrary School
    4.24 score
    4.3(20)

    165 Webster Street, East Boston, MA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 26 children

    This YMCA location in East Boston receives consistently high ratings, with parents praising the facility's cleanliness, modern equipment, and attentive staff. Parents highlight excellent communication, active COVID-19 safety measures, and a strong sense of community. The swimming pool and diverse fitness classes are frequently mentioned as standout features.

    Clean and well-organized facilityattentive and helpful staffswimming poolmodern equipment
  4. 4
    Ymca Of Greater Boston @ Ashley Street
    4.05 score
    4.1(6)

    54 Ashley Street, East Boston, MA · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 65 children

    Reviews are highly polarized with mostly positive feedback praising staff friendliness and cleanliness, though one negative review criticizes staff helpfulness and information availability. The facility appears to serve as a fitness center rather than exclusively a daycare.

    Outstanding and welcoming staffclean facilityfriendly atmosphere
  5. 5
    Bostons Bridge To Excellence @ Mckay School
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    122 Cottage Street, East Boston, MA · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 13 children

    Parents consistently praise Boston's Bridge to Excellence for providing safe, academically enriching before and after school programs with year-round scheduling. Leadership, including CEO Dejon Rice and Program Administrator Sophia Bishop-Rice, are frequently highlighted for their welcoming approach and genuine care. Multiple families report multi-year enrollment with high satisfaction.

    Safe environmentacademic enrichment beyond school curriculumarts programmingyear-round scheduling (before/after school

Rating Distribution

Based on 10 daycares with Google ratings in East Boston

4.5 - 5.0
4
4.0 - 4.4
5
3.0 - 3.9
1
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

Average ratings by facility type in East Boston, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.54avg rating
10 daycares · 8 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4avg rating
4 daycares · 2 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
4 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

East Boston zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0212818
4.43
4

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in East Boston (13–179 children)

Small

up to 30 children

5

Medium

31–75 children

10

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

1

Map

Daycare types in East Boston

Child Daycare & Preschools 10Headstart Programs 4Before or After School Daycare 4

Headstart Programs in East Boston, Massachusetts

There are 4 headstart programs in East Boston, Massachusetts, making up 22% of the 18 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 East Boston have an average rating of 4.43 out of 5 across 10 rated facilities, with 40% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.54 stars. Our analysis covers 83 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in East Boston, 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 East Boston

Showing 4 results

East Boston - Head Start/Elbow
Headstart Programs

One parent highlights the excellent teachers and good organization, noting that their daughter enjoys attending. The limited feedback currently available is entirely positive regarding the staff and structure.

excellent teachersgood organizationchild enjoys school
Address
5 Elbow Street, East Boston, MA
Phone
(617) 567-8855
East Boston Head Start-Bennington
Headstart Programs
Address
1222 Bennington Street, East Boston, MA
Phone
(617) 567-7038
East Boston Head Start
Headstart Programs

One parent describes the facility as an unsafe establishment where incidents occur without clear explanation or accountability. The reviewer strongly advises against sending children there due to perceived safety risks.

Address
120 Condor St, East Boston, MA
Phone
(617) 567-8855
East Boston Head Start St. Johns
Headstart Programs
Address
80 Lexington Street, East Boston, MA
Phone
(617) 567-8855

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Frequently asked questions

There are 4 headstart programs daycares in East Boston, Massachusetts, out of 18 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 East Boston have an average Google rating of 4.43 out of 5 across 10 rated facilities. About 40% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in East Boston, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Massachusetts's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Massachusetts)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
East Boston offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 10 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 4 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 Massachusetts 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 East Boston for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in East Boston must be licensed by Massachusetts'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.