Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in Portsmouth, OH

Compare 5 headstart programs in Portsmouth. Average rating: 3.96/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

Portsmouth, Ohio at a glance

Programs
5
Avg rating
3.96/5
Parent reviews
30
Top rated (4.5+)
3

Portsmouth has 5 licensed headstart programs with 30 parent reviews averaging 3.96/5.The largest concentration is in 45662 with 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
    Shawnee State University Children'S Learning Center
    4.16 score
    4.2(20)

    1240 Third Street, Portsmouth, OH · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 72 children

    NOTE: The reviews provided are for Shawnee State University, not a children's daycare center. Reviews praise the university's friendly atmosphere, affordable tuition, quality programs, and facilities, but do not assess childcare services.

    Affordable tuition and scholarshipswelcoming faculty and staffquality academic programsapartment-style housing

Rating Distribution

Based on 7 daycares with Google ratings in Portsmouth

4.5 - 5.0
3
4.0 - 4.4
1
3.0 - 3.9
2
Below 3
1

Daycare Types Compared

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

Headstart Programs

4.83avg rating
5 daycares · 3 rated

Child Daycare & Preschools

3.3avg rating
5 daycares · 4 rated

Before or After School Daycare

No ratings yet
2 daycares

Best Rated Neighborhoods

Portsmouth zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
4566212
3.96
3

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in Portsmouth (20–180 children)

Small

up to 30 children

2

Medium

31–75 children

2

Large

76–150 children

2

Very Large

150+ children

1

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in Portsmouth based on parent reviews

Carousel Center Head Start

4.5(4)

1112 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH

One parent describes the center as a bright spot with good people, while another adult criticizes the intake assessment for asking overly basic questions inappropriate for an adult. The feedback highlights community value but also suggests the program may not be equipped for adult clients despite serving Head Start children.

community valuesupportive staffgood people

Farley Square Head Start

5(1)

1221 Farley Court, Portsmouth, OH

One parent highlights the exceptional care provided by staff, specifically noting that the facility maintains strict safety measures despite its location in a less desirable area of Portsmouth. The reviewer appreciates the engaging activities and supportive environment, though they suggest that providing a bus service for transportation would improve the experience.

dedicated and helpful staffstrict safety protocols with locked doorsengaging activities

Highland Head Start

5(1)

1511 Hutchins Street, Portsmouth, OH

Map

Daycare types in Portsmouth

Child Daycare & Preschools 5Headstart Programs 5Before or After School Daycare 2

Headstart Programs in Portsmouth, Ohio

There are 5 headstart programs in Portsmouth, Ohio, making up 42% 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 3.96 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities, with 43% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Headstart Programs facilities lead with an average of 4.83 stars. Our analysis covers 30 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 5 results

Farley Square Head Start
Headstart Programs
5

One parent highlights the exceptional care provided by staff, specifically noting that the facility maintains strict safety measures despite its location in a less desirable area of Portsmouth. The reviewer appreciates the engaging activities and supportive environment, though they suggest that providing a bus service for transportation would improve the experience.

dedicated and helpful staffstrict safety protocols with locked doorsengaging activities
Address
1221 Farley Court, Portsmouth, OH
Phone
(740) 353-4992
Highland Head Start
Headstart Programs
5
Address
1511 Hutchins Street, Portsmouth, OH
Phone
(740) 354-3333
Carousel Center Head Start
Headstart Programs
4.5

One parent describes the center as a bright spot with good people, while another adult criticizes the intake assessment for asking overly basic questions inappropriate for an adult. The feedback highlights community value but also suggests the program may not be equipped for adult clients despite serving Head Start children.

community valuesupportive staffgood people
Address
1112 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH
Phone
(740) 354-3995
Wayne Hills Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
1908 Wayne Avenue, Portsmouth, OH
Phone
(740) 354-3333
Portsmouth West Head Start
Headstart Programs
Address
15332a Us Hwy 52, Portsmouth, OH
Phone
(740) 858-2010

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Frequently asked questions

There are 5 headstart programs daycares in Portsmouth, Ohio, 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 3.96 out of 5 across 7 rated facilities. About 43% 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 Ohio's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Ohio)
  • 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 — 5 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 5 facilities
  • Before or After School Daycare — 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 Ohio 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 Ohio'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.