How do I choose the right daycare in Columbia?

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person and checking: Licensing status with Missouri's regulatory agency Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Missouri) Safety measures and cleanliness Daily routines and educational curriculum Parent reviews and ratings Location and hours that fit your schedule

What types of daycare are available in Columbia?

Columbia offers several types of childcare facilities: Child Daycare & Preschools — 70 facilities Headstart Programs — 4 facilities Church Daycare — 3 facilities Before or After School Daycare — 3 facilities Each type serves different needs — center-based facilities typically offer structured programs, while head start programs are federally funded for low-income families.

Headstart Programs in Columbia, Missouri (4 Results)

Q: What is the average cost of daycare in Missouri?

Daycare costs in Missouri 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 Columbia for current pricing.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Columbia

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.

Latter House Childcare Center LLC

4.79 score

5(19)

4914 Prairieridge St, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 49 children

Latter House Childcare Center (also referred to as Destiny Learning Center) receives perfect 5/5 ratings from parents who praise the caring, compassionate staff and supportive family-like environment. Parents highlight the center's Christ-centered curriculum, individualized attention to children's needs including special needs support, and strong communication with families. Multiple reviewers describe the center as a blessing and village that supports not only the children but the entire family.

Caring and compassionate staffChrist-centered curriculum with character development focusindividualized attention to each child's needsspecial needs accommodation

Bright Star Learning Center LLC

4.78 score

5(18)

4006 W Broadway, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children

Bright Star Learning Center LLC (also called Learning Star Preschool) has perfect 5-star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, dedicated staff and nurturing environment. Parents highlight the school's focus on child development, creative learning activities, responsive communication, and the strong bonds children form with teachers and peers. Families report children thrive emotionally and academically, with several noting positive long-term impacts into middle and high school years.

Warm and caring teachersresponsive communication with parentscreative activities and learning opportunitiessafe and nurturing environment

Rock Bridge Preschool

4.67 score

5(10)

102 Sieville Ave, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 40 children

Rock Bridge Preschool receives universal 5-star ratings from parents who consistently praise the caring, family-like environment and strong leadership of owner/director Amanda. Parents highlight the small center's personalized attention, effective curriculum preparation for kindergarten, and excellent communication with families. Staff are described as kind, loving, and genuinely invested in each child's development and well-being.

Caring and loving teachersFamily-like environmentStrong owner/director leadershipSmall intimate setting

A Galaxy Of Stars Child Care Center LLC

4.64 score

4.8(20)

1626 Towne Dr, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

A Galaxy of Stars Child Care Center receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the professional, caring staff and welcoming environment. Parents consistently highlight the owner's hands-on involvement, strong curriculum preparation for kindergarten, regular photo/video updates, and family-like treatment of children. The center is noted for its cleanliness, diversity and inclusion focus, reasonable pricing, and community values.

Professional and caring staffowner actively present and accessiblefamily-like treatment of childrencurriculum-focused learning

Hawthorne Educational Services INC

4.64 score

4.8(20)

800 Gray Oak Dr, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 18 children

Hawthorne Educational Services is highly rated for providing assessment tools and intervention resources for students with behavioral and learning challenges. Reviews highlight the effectiveness of their screening assessments, intervention manuals, and educational resources used by teachers, schools, and clinics. Customers consistently praise the quality of materials, ease of ordering, and helpful customer service.

Comprehensive assessment toolsclear and practical intervention strategiesdual school and home versions availablehelpful customer service

End Of The Rainbow Cdc

4.64 score

4.8(20)

2505 Old 63 South, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 159 children

End of the Rainbow CDC in Columbia receives perfect 5/5 ratings from all reviewed parents who praise the welcoming, caring staff and strong developmental focus. Parents consistently highlight the director team (Shane and Nikki) and teachers as invested professionals who create a family-like environment where children thrive academically and socially.

Caring and welcoming staffstrong academic and social developmentclean facilityorganized curriculum with daily updates via app

End Of The Rainbow Southwest

4.64 score

4.8(20)

5855 Scott Blvd, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 92 children

End of the Rainbow Southwest receives unanimous 5-star ratings from parents who praise the welcoming, caring staff and directors (Shane and Nikki) for creating a family-like environment. Parents consistently report their children are happy, safe, and developing well academically and socially, with many expressing they would never leave if not for relocation.

Caring and welcoming staffstrong leadership (Shane and Nikki)family-like atmosphereorganized and fun curriculum

A Good Start INC

4.64 score

4.8(20)

101 N Grace Ln, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 55 children

A Good Start Inc is a family-owned preschool in Columbia, Missouri with consistently excellent reviews. Parents praise the staff for being loving yet firm, providing strong academic preparation that leaves children ahead for kindergarten, and creating a safe, welcoming environment where children thrive developmentally and socially.

Caring and loving staffstrong academic curriculumexcellent kindergarten readiness preparationclean and well-organized facility

Jades Preschool And Daycare LLC

4.62 score

5(8)

6405 Highway 40 W, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 60 children

Parents consistently praise Jades Preschool and Daycare for its caring, family-oriented environment where children thrive academically and socially. Staff members are described as genuinely loving and attentive to individual children's needs, with strong curriculum, quality nutrition, and enrichment activities like sign language and Spanish instruction.

Caring and attentive stafffamily-like atmospherestrong academic resultsage-appropriate curriculum

Ready Set Learn Early Childhood Learning Center LLC

4.58 score

5(7)

2601 N Stadium Blvd, Columbia, MO · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children

Parents consistently praise Wee Care E.L.C. for its caring, nurturing staff and safe, clean environment that supports children's overall development. The center is commended for strong communication with parents, creative learning activities, and staff dedication to each child's physical, emotional, and academic growth.

caring and nurturing staffsafe environmentclean and well-maintained facilitiesstrong parent communication

Headstart Programs in Columbia, Missouri

There are 4 headstart programs in Columbia, Missouri, making up 5% of the 80 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.

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person, checking their licensing status, and asking about staff-to-child ratios, daily routines, and safety policies.

Frequently asked questions

There are 4 headstart programs daycares in Columbia, Missouri, out of 80 total childcare facilities in the city. Browse our directory to compare options and find the right fit for your child.

When choosing a daycare in Columbia, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:

Licensing status with Missouri's regulatory agency
Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Missouri)
Safety measures and cleanliness
Daily routines and educational curriculum
Parent reviews and ratings
Location and hours that fit your schedule

Columbia offers several types of childcare facilities:

Child Daycare & Preschools — 70 facilities
Headstart Programs — 4 facilities
Church Daycare — 3 facilities
Before or After School Daycare — 3 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 Missouri 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 Columbia for current pricing.

Yes, daycare centers in Columbia must be licensed by Missouri'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.

4 Headstart Programs in Columbia, Missouri

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Columbia

Top Rated

Mary Lee Johnston Community Learning Center

Central Missouri Community Action

Central Missouri Community Action

Central Missouri Community Action

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Daycare types in Columbia

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