Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Portsmouth, NH

Compare 1 headstart programs in Portsmouth. Average rating: 4.83/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire at a glance

Programs
1
Avg rating
4.83/5
Parent reviews
81
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Portsmouth has 1 licensed headstart programs with 81 parent reviews averaging 4.83/5.The highest-rated options cluster around the 03801 zip code, averaging 4.83 stars across 12 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Portsmouth

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
    The Early Learning Center At Temple Israel
    4.74 score
    5(14)

    200 State Street, Portsmouth, NH · Church Daycare · Capacity: -999 children

    Parents consistently praise The Early Learning Center as an exceptional Montessori-based preschool with highly trained, caring teachers and a strong community focus. Children reportedly thrive academically and socially in a clean, well-organized environment with low teacher-to-student ratios. The center emphasizes character development, Jewish values, and learning through play while preparing children for kindergarten.

    Experienced and compassionate teacherssmall class sizeslow student-to-teacher ratiosMontessori-based curriculum
  2. 2
    The Treehouse School Of Portsmouth
    4.72 score
    5(13)

    100 State Street, Portsmouth, NH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: -999 children

    The Treehouse School of Portsmouth receives universal 5-star reviews from parents who praise the nurturing environment, exceptional teachers, and innovative curriculum that leverages downtown Portsmouth as an extension of the classroom. Parents highlight strong communication, social-emotional development, academic preparation for kindergarten, and enrichment activities that keep children engaged and excited about learning.

    Exceptional teachers and leadershipsmall c

Rating Distribution

Based on 4 daycares with Google ratings in Portsmouth

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

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.65avg rating
6 daycares · 2 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
3 daycares

Church Daycare

5avg rating
2 daycares · 2 rated

Headstart Programs

No ratings yet
1 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Portsmouth zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
0380112
4.83
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Portsmouth (– 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 Portsmouth

Child Daycare & Preschools 6Headstart Programs 1Church Daycare 2Before or After School Daycare 3

Headstart Programs in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

There are 1 headstart programs in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, making up 8% of the 12 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 Portsmouth have an average rating of 4.83 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities, with 75% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Church Daycare facilities lead with an average of 5 stars. Our analysis covers 81 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth

Showing 1 results

Southern New Hampshire Services - Portsmouth Head Start
Headstart Programs

One parent describes excellent teachers and staff who treat children with care. Conversely, other parents report negative experiences involving frequent Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reports due to minor injuries from play or unspecified issues.

Excellent teachers and staffcaring treatment of children
Address
100 Campus Drive, Suite 22, Portsmouth, NH
Phone
(603) 422-8231

Page 1 of 1· 1 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 1 headstart programs daycares in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, out of 12 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 Portsmouth have an average Google rating of 4.83 out of 5 across 4 rated facilities. About 75% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Portsmouth, 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
Portsmouth offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 6 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 1 facilities
  • Church Daycare — 2 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 Portsmouth for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Portsmouth 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.