Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Dover, NH

Compare 1 headstart programs in Dover. Average rating: 4.48/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Dover, New Hampshire at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.48/5
Parent reviews
104
Top rated (4.5+)
7

Dover has 1 licensed headstart programs with 104 parent reviews averaging 4.48/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 58% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 03820 zip code, averaging 4.48 stars across 17 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Dover

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
    Garrison City Early Childhood Center
    4.64 score
    4.8(20)

    105 And 103 Durham Road, Dover, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    The reviews provided appear to be for Garrison City Beerworks, a brewery in Dover, NH, not Garrison City Early Childhood Center. No actual daycare reviews are available to summarize.

    None - reviews are for a brewerynot a daycare
  2. 2
    Cross Road Children'S Center
    4.63 score
    4.8(19)

    18 French Cross Road, Dover, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Cross Road Children's Center in Dover, NH receives consistently high praise from parents. All 10 reviews are 5-star ratings highlighting excellent staff, strong communication, safe environment, and positive learning experiences. Parents report their children are happy, well-cared for, and developing both academically and socially.

    Warm and inviting staffexcellent daily communication with parents through updates and picturessafe facility with controlled accessst
  3. 3
    Little Tree Education
    4.08 score
    4.1(20)

    383 Sixth Street, Dover, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Little Tree Education receives universal praise from parents, with all 10 reviews rating the center 5/5 stars. Parents consistently highlight the caring, attentive teaching staff, Montessori-based educational approach, and the visible happiness and developmental growth their children experience. The center is characterized as a nurturing, clean environment where children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.

    Warm and caring staffindividualized attention to children's developmental needsMontessori educational approachclean and inviting facility
  4. 4
    Little Lamb Nursery
    3.86 score
    3.8(13)

    31 Tennyson Avenue, Dover, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Little Lamb Nursery receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most families, with parents praising the caring staff, nurturing environment, and warm, home-like atmosphere. However, one family experienced significant communication issues, including lack of notification about room transitions, failure to honor social media photo restrictions, and inadequate reporting of behavioral concerns.

    Caring and attentive staffsafe and nurturing environmentpersonalized a
  5. 5
    Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Early Learning Center
    3.36 score
    3.2(20)

    789 Central Avenue, Dover, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    Note: The reviews provided are for Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, not an early learning center/daycare. Reviews consistently praise hospital staff for compassionate, attentive care across departments including maternity, surgery, emergency, and rehabilitation services.

    Compassionate and respectful staffattentive patient careclear communicationskilled medical professionals

Rating Distribution

Based on 12 daycares with Google ratings in Dover

4.5 - 5.0
7
4.0 - 4.4
2
3.0 - 3.9
3
Below 3
0

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.48avg rating
13 daycares · 12 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
3 daycares

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Dover zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0382017
4.48
7

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Dover (– children)

Small

up to 30 children

0

Medium

31–75 children

0

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Map

Daycare types in Dover

Child Daycare & Preschools 13Headstart Programs 1Before or After School Daycare 3

Headstart Programs in Dover, New Hampshire

There are 1 headstart programs in Dover, New Hampshire, making up 6% of the 17 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 Dover have an average rating of 4.48 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities, with 58% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.48 stars. Our analysis covers 104 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Dover, 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 Dover

Showing 1 results

Strafford County Head Start - Dover Center
Headstart Programs
Address
577 Central Avenue, Suite 50, Dover, NH
Phone
(603) 742-1732

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Dover, New Hampshire, out of 17 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 Dover have an average Google rating of 4.48 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities. About 58% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Dover, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with New Hampshire's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in New Hampshire)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Dover offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 13 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 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 New Hampshire 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 Dover for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Dover must be licensed by New Hampshire'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.