Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Brainerd, MN

Compare 1 headstart programs in Brainerd. Average rating: 4.28/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Brainerd, Minnesota at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.28/5
Parent reviews
45
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Brainerd has 1 licensed headstart programs with 45 parent reviews averaging 4.28/5.The largest concentration is in 56401 with 9 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Brainerd

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
    Brainerd Head Start
    4.54 score
    4.7(17)

    2410 Oak St, Brainerd, MN · Headstart Programs · Capacity: 88 children

    Parents consistently praise Brainerd Head Start for its educational programs, creative activities, and caring teachers. The facility supports child development and socialization while also providing valuable family resources and support services. Multiple reviewers describe it as one of the best daycare options in the area.

    Educational servicesarts and crafts activitiescaring and attentive teacherssocialization opportunities
  2. 2
    New Discoveries Child Care Center
    4.35 score
    4.6(7)

    602 Oak St, Brainerd, MN · Before or After School Daycare · Capacity: 50 children

    Parents consistently praise Tiny Adventures Child Care Center for its welcoming, caring staff and strong educational curriculum that prepares children for kindergarten. Children are reported to be excited about attending daily, with parents appreciating the small class sizes, field trips, communication tools like BabyConnect, and healthy snacks/meals provided.

    caring and professional staffstrong preschool curriculumsmall class sizesfield trips and outdoor activities
  3. 3
    Annies Childcare & Learning Center
    3.87 score
    3.8(9)

    501 W College Dr, Brainerd, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 67 children

    Annie's Childcare & Learning Center receives highly polarized reviews, with strong praise for staff caring and personalized attention in infant/toddler rooms, but serious complaints about preschool management, owner conduct, and alleged favoritism. Parents consistently commend the welcoming atmosphere and child development in younger age groups, though experiences deteriorate significantly in the preschool program.

    Caring and nurturing staffpersonalized carewelco
  4. 4
    Annies Childcare & Learning Center
    3.87 score
    3.8(9)

    9630 Ostrowski Way, Brainerd, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 73 children

    Annie's Childcare & Learning Center receives highly polarized reviews. Most parents praise the staff's genuine care, personalized attention, and welcoming demeanor, particularly in infant and toddler rooms. However, several parents report serious concerns about management behavior, staff conduct, inconsistent quality between rooms, and alleged violations of court orders.

    Loving and caring staffpersonalized carewelcoming atmospheregood communication

Rating Distribution

Based on 5 daycares with Google ratings in Brainerd

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.03avg rating
7 daycares · 3 rated

Before or After School Daycare

4.6avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Headstart Programs

4.7avg rating
1 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Brainerd zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
564019
4.28
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Brainerd (22–88 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

6

Large

76–150 children

1

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Brainerd based on parent reviews

Brainerd Head Start

4.7(17)

2410 Oak St, Brainerd, MN

Parents consistently praise Brainerd Head Start for its educational programs, creative activities, and caring teachers. The facility supports child development and socialization while also providing valuable family resources and support services. Multiple reviewers describe it as one of the best daycare options in the area.

Educational servicesarts and crafts activitiescaring and attentive teachers

Map

Daycare types in Brainerd

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Headstart Programs 1Before or After School Daycare 1

Headstart Programs in Brainerd, Minnesota

There are 1 headstart programs in Brainerd, Minnesota, making up 11% of the 9 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 Brainerd have an average rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities, with 60% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.7 stars. Our analysis covers 45 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Brainerd, 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 Brainerd

Showing 1 results

Brainerd Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.7

Parents consistently praise Brainerd Head Start for its educational programs, creative activities, and caring teachers. The facility supports child development and socialization while also providing valuable family resources and support services. Multiple reviewers describe it as one of the best daycare options in the area.

Educational servicesarts and crafts activitiescaring and attentive teachers
Address
2410 Oak St, Brainerd, MN
Phone
(218) 829-2410

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Brainerd, Minnesota, out of 9 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 Brainerd have an average Google rating of 4.28 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities. About 60% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Brainerd, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Minnesota's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Minnesota)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Brainerd offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 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 Minnesota 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 Brainerd for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Brainerd must be licensed by Minnesota'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.