Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Portales, NM

Compare 2 headstart programs in Portales. Average rating: 4.37/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Portales, New Mexico at a glance

Programs
2
Avg rating
4.37/5
Parent reviews
36
Top rated (4.5+)
5

Portales has 2 licensed headstart programs with 36 parent reviews averaging 4.37/5.5 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 56% of rated programs, well above average.The largest concentration is in 88130 with 11 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in Portales

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
    Eastern N.M. University
    3.76 score
    3.7(20)

    1500 S Ave K Station 25, Portales, NM · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 55 children

    This is not a daycare center but a university. Reviews praise the institution as an affordable regional university with knowledgeable faculty, particularly in STEM, education, science, and anthropology programs. However, some reviewers noted issues with advising services and financial aid departments.

    Affordable tuitionknowledgeable and qualified facultystrong STEM programsisolated campus reduces distractions

Rating Distribution

Based on 9 daycares with Google ratings in Portales

4.5 - 5.0
5
4.0 - 4.4
0
3.0 - 3.9
4
Below 3
0

What Parents Value Most

Top qualities mentioned across 36 reviews, analyzed by AI

1Friendly staff
4

Daycare Types Compared

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

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.26avg rating
9 daycares · 7 rated

Headstart Programs

4.75avg rating
2 daycares · 2 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Portales zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
8813011
4.37
5

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Portales (25–58 children)

Small

up to 30 children

1

Medium

31–75 children

6

Large

76–150 children

0

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Portales based on parent reviews

Portales Early Head Start

4.5

1400 S. Avenue D, Suite B, Portales, NM

Portales Head Start

5

501 E. 1st Street, Portales, NM

Map

Daycare types in Portales

Child Daycare & Preschools 9Headstart Programs 2

Headstart Programs in Portales, New Mexico

There are 2 headstart programs in Portales, New Mexico, making up 18% of the 11 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 Portales have an average rating of 4.37 out of 5 across 9 rated facilities, with 56% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.75 stars. Our analysis covers 36 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in Portales, 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 Portales

Showing 2 results

Portales Head Start
Headstart Programs
5
Address
501 E. 1st Street, Portales, NM
Phone
NOT AVAILABLE
Portales Early Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.5
Address
1400 S. Avenue D, Suite B, Portales, NM
Phone
NOT AVAILABLE

Page 1 of 1· 2 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 2 headstart programs daycares in Portales, New Mexico, out of 11 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 Portales have an average Google rating of 4.37 out of 5 across 9 rated facilities. About 56% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in Portales, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with New Mexico's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in New Mexico)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
Portales offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 9 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 New Mexico 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 Portales for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in Portales must be licensed by New Mexico'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.