Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Mankato, MN

Compare 2 headstart programs in Mankato. Average rating: 3.19/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Mankato, Minnesota at a glance

Programs
2
Avg rating
3.19/5
Parent reviews
54
Top rated (4.5+)
0

Mankato has 2 licensed headstart programs with 54 parent reviews averaging 3.19/5.The largest concentration is in 56001 with 9 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Mankato

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
    Here We Grow Early Childhood Center LLC
    4.12 score
    4.2(7)

    23382 3rd Ave, Mankato, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 48 children

    Here We Grow receives mostly positive feedback, with parents praising the teachers' warmth, responsiveness, and attentiveness to individual child needs. Several families highlighted strong communication, clean facilities, and noticeable developmental improvements in their children. However, a small number of parents expressed concerns about management and inconsistency depending on individual teachers.

    Caring and responsive teachersexcellent communication with parentsaccommodating to family situationsclean classrooms
  2. 2
    Ymca Preschool
    3.76 score
    3.7(20)

    1401 South Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

    The YMCA Preschool in Mankato receives consistently excellent reviews, with parents praising its comprehensive facilities, friendly and welcoming staff, and diverse programming for all ages. Parents highlight the quality of childcare, swimming lessons, fitness classes, and recreational amenities available to families. Multiple reviewers report being long-term members who feel valued and welcome.

    Friendly and welcoming staffexcellent childcare/child watch programm
  3. 3
    Care Corner
    2.88 score
    2.6(20)

    265 St Andrews Dr, Mankato, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 140 children

    Care Corner receives consistently high praise from parents who report their children are well-cared for, safe, and prepared for kindergarten. Parents highlight the friendly, attentive staff, educational activities, and strong parent communication. The daycare maintains a clean, secure environment with programs spanning infancy through preschool.

    Loving and attentive staffstrong educational preparation for kindergartengood parent communicationclean and secure facility

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Mankato

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.66avg rating
6 daycares · 5 rated

Headstart Programs

2avg rating
2 daycares · 2 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Mankato zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
560019
3.19
0

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Mankato (16–140 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

5

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Mankato based on parent reviews

Mankato Head Start Center

2(2)

105 N 5th St, Mankato, MN

One parent describes the program as more akin to daycare than a school, noting that academic learning is lacking and only social interaction is emphasized. A separate review reports a serious incident where a child with special needs was isolated and silenced after crying, alleging negligence by staff.

Social interaction opportunities

Mankato Head Start Combination Center

2(2)

105 N 5th St, Mankato, MN

One parent describes the program as functioning more like a daycare than a school, noting that social interaction is the primary benefit while other educational aspects are lacking. Another review alleges serious neglect, claiming staff isolated a child with special needs in a room because she was crying and instructed her to keep it secret from her parents.

social interaction

Map

Daycare types in Mankato

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

Browse by type in Mankato

🎨 Preschools 3

Headstart Programs in Mankato, Minnesota

There are 2 headstart programs in Mankato, Minnesota, making up 22% 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 Mankato have an average rating of 3.19 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 0% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 3.66 stars. Our analysis covers 54 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Mankato, 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 Mankato

Showing 2 results

Mankato Head Start Center
Headstart Programs
2

One parent describes the program as more akin to daycare than a school, noting that academic learning is lacking and only social interaction is emphasized. A separate review reports a serious incident where a child with special needs was isolated and silenced after crying, alleging negligence by staff.

Social interaction opportunities
Address
105 N 5th St, Mankato, MN
Phone
(507) 345-1262
Mankato Head Start Combination Center
Headstart Programs
2

One parent describes the program as functioning more like a daycare than a school, noting that social interaction is the primary benefit while other educational aspects are lacking. Another review alleges serious neglect, claiming staff isolated a child with special needs in a room because she was crying and instructed her to keep it secret from her parents.

social interaction
Address
105 N 5th St, Mankato, MN
Phone
(507) 345-1485

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Frequently asked questions

There are 2 headstart programs daycares in Mankato, 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 Mankato have an average Google rating of 3.19 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities.
When choosing a daycare in Mankato, 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
Mankato offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 6 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 2 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 Mankato for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Mankato 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.