Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Owatonna, MN

Compare 2 headstart programs in Owatonna. Average rating: 3.76/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Owatonna, Minnesota at a glance

Programs
2
Avg rating
3.76/5
Parent reviews
47
Top rated (4.5+)
1

Owatonna has 2 licensed headstart programs with 47 parent reviews averaging 3.76/5.The largest concentration is in 55060 with 9 programs.Browse all options below to find the right fit for your family.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Owatonna

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
    Wee Pals Child Care Center
    4.16 score
    4.2(19)

    560 Dunnell Dr, Owatonna, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 106 children

    Parents consistently praise Wee Pals Child Care Center for its caring, attentive staff and welcoming family atmosphere. The facility offers diverse learning activities, strong communication with parents, and smooth transitions between age groups. Children reportedly love attending and parents feel confident in their child's safety and development.

    Caring and engaging staffexcellent daily communicationsmooth room transitionsdiverse activities and field trips
  2. 2
    Cedar Kids
    3.6 score
    3.4(10)

    2429 N Cedar Ave, Owatonna, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 154 children

    Cedar Kids receives highly polarized reviews with five 5-star ratings praising staff warmth, communication, and child development, and five 1-star ratings citing safety concerns, high costs, and general dissatisfaction. Positive reviewers highlight patient staff, strong parent-teacher relationships, and welcoming environment, while negative reviewers raise serious safety issues without providing specific details.

    Patient and compassionate staffstrong communication with parentswelcoming environmentage-appropriate learning with emphasis on play
  3. 3
    Kid'S Korner Educare
    3.49 score
    3.2(9)

    600 Florence Ave, Owatonna, MN · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 260 children

    Kid's Korner Educare receives highly polarized reviews. Most parents praise the caring staff, educational programs, and long-term positive experiences, with several families having attended for years. However, a small number of parents report concerns about the facility's ability to support children with additional needs and management responsiveness.

    caring and well-trained staffstrong educational curriculumwelcoming environmentgood preparation for elementary school

Rating Distribution

Based on 5 daycares with Google ratings in Owatonna

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.95avg rating
7 daycares · 4 rated

Headstart Programs

3avg rating
2 daycares · 1 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Owatonna zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
550609
3.76
1

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Owatonna (24–260 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

2

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

2

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Owatonna based on parent reviews

Semcac Head Start Owatonna

3(2)

1820 Hartle Ave, Owatonna, MN

One parent highlights that teachers were responsive and effective in addressing their concerns, while another parent describes the staff as disrespectful. The few reviews so far present conflicting experiences regarding staff professionalism and problem-solving.

teachers worked well with problemsresponsive staff

Map

Daycare types in Owatonna

Child Daycare & Preschools 7Headstart Programs 2

Headstart Programs in Owatonna, Minnesota

There are 2 headstart programs in Owatonna, 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 Owatonna have an average rating of 3.76 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities, with 20% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 3.95 stars. Our analysis covers 47 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Owatonna, 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 Owatonna

Showing 2 results

Semcac Head Start Owatonna
Headstart Programs
3

One parent highlights that teachers were responsive and effective in addressing their concerns, while another parent describes the staff as disrespectful. The few reviews so far present conflicting experiences regarding staff professionalism and problem-solving.

teachers worked well with problemsresponsive staff
Address
1820 Hartle Ave, Owatonna, MN
Phone
(507) 451-8180
Tri-Valley Owatonna Head Start Center
Headstart Programs

One parent highlights the clean, colorful environment and supportive staff, noting that their daughter left potty trained, while another describes a frustrating experience with management regarding waiting list transparency. A third reviewer simply reports being placed on a waiting list without being informed of availability upfront.

clean and colorful roomshelpful teacherspotty training support
Address
565 20th St Ne, Owatonna, MN
Phone
(507) 455-2203

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Frequently asked questions

There are 2 headstart programs daycares in Owatonna, 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 Owatonna have an average Google rating of 3.76 out of 5 across 5 rated facilities. About 20% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Owatonna, 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
Owatonna offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 7 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 2 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 Owatonna for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Owatonna 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.