Children at daycare

Best Headstart Programs in La Crosse, WI

Compare 3 headstart programs in La Crosse. Average rating: 4.41/5 stars. See top 10 ranked daycares, compare by type, and find the right childcare for your family.

La Crosse, Wisconsin at a glance

Programs
3
Avg rating
4.41/5
Parent reviews
37
Top rated (4.5+)
7

La Crosse has 3 licensed headstart programs with 37 parent reviews averaging 4.41/5.7 are top-rated with 4.5+ stars — 58% of rated programs, well above average.The highest-rated options cluster around the 54601 zip code, averaging 4.43 stars across 17 programs.Start with our top-10 ranked list below or filter by philosophy.

Top 10 Best Rated Daycares in La Crosse

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
    Congregational Preschool INC
    4.55 score
    5(6)

    2503 Main St, La Crosse, WI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 71 children

    Congregational Preschool receives consistently high praise from parents for its small class sizes, caring and involved staff, and play-based curriculum. Parents highlight the preschool-exclusive environment where all equipment is age-appropriate, along with flexible options like Surround Care. Multiple reviews note significant positive impacts on children's confidence, independence, and social skills.

    Small class sizeswarm and caring staffplay-based learningage-appropriate playground
  2. 2
    Coulee Children'S Center
    4 score
    4(5)

    2935 East Ave S, La Crosse, WI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 125 children

    Coulee Children's Center receives mixed reviews. Most parents praise the caring, attentive staff and positive long-term impact on their children. However, some parents report serious concerns about infant safety practices, lack of engagement with children, and inaccurate daily reporting.

    Caring and attentive staffpersonalized attention to children's preferencesclean and safe environmenteducational programming
  3. 3
    Children Of The Lord Daycare
    3.85 score
    3.7(5)

    2015 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 50 children

    Children of the Lord Daycare in La Crosse receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from most parents, who praise the patient and genuine staff, clean facilities, and good value. However, one parent raised significant concerns about the infant classroom setup and staffing ratio, citing inadequate equipment, workspace, and organizational systems that create stress for both teachers and babies.

    Patient and cheerful staffclean and secure facilitiesgreat hoursexcellent value
  4. 4
    Red Balloon La Crosse
    3.49 score
    3.2(9)

    1417 13th St S, La Crosse, WI · Child Daycare & Preschools · Capacity: 145 children

    Red Balloon LA Crosse receives mixed reviews with strong praise for classroom teachers and child development, but significant concerns about management behavior and staff engagement. Parents report children enjoy attending and learn well, though some cite administrative issues and inconsistent staff attentiveness.

    Caring and patient teacherssafe environmentchildren excited to attendgood communication via app with photos/videos

Rating Distribution

Based on 12 daycares with Google ratings in La Crosse

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 La Crosse, based on parent reviews

Child Daycare & Preschools

4.49avg rating
19 daycares · 10 rated

Headstart Programs

4avg rating
3 daycares · 2 rated

Best Rated Neighborhoods

La Crosse zip codes ranked by average daycare rating

Zip CodeDaycaresAvg. RatingTop Rated
5460117
4.43
5
546035
4.33
2

Facility Sizes

Capacity distribution of daycares in La Crosse (16–145 children)

Small

up to 30 children

3

Medium

31–75 children

14

Large

76–150 children

5

Very Large

150+ children

0

Top Rated

Highest rated daycares in La Crosse based on parent reviews

Central La Crosse Head Start Center

5

333 Buchner Pl, La Crosse, WI

Margaret Annett Head Start Center

3(2)

1321 St James St, La Crosse, WI

One parent highlights the staff's genuine care for students, while another raises serious allegations of systemic racism within the organization, including human resources, and warns that it may not be a safe environment for children of color.

Staff care about students

Map

Daycare types in La Crosse

Child Daycare & Preschools 19Headstart Programs 3

Headstart Programs in La Crosse, Wisconsin

There are 3 headstart programs in La Crosse, Wisconsin, making up 14% of the 22 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 La Crosse have an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities, with 58% scoring 4.5 stars or higher. Child Daycare & Preschools facilities lead with an average of 4.49 stars. Our analysis covers 37 parent reviews.

When choosing a daycare in La Crosse, 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 La Crosse

Showing 3 results

Central La Crosse Head Start Center
Headstart Programs
5
Address
333 Buchner Pl, La Crosse, WI
Phone
(608) 782-6892
Quality
Margaret Annett Head Start Center
Headstart Programs
3

One parent highlights the staff's genuine care for students, while another raises serious allegations of systemic racism within the organization, including human resources, and warns that it may not be a safe environment for children of color.

Staff care about students
Address
1321 St James St, La Crosse, WI
Phone
(608) 782-7330
Quality
Ymca School Age-Hamilton
Headstart Programs
Address
1111 7th St, La Crosse, WI
Phone
(608) 519-5482

Page 1 of 1· 3 results

Frequently asked questions

There are 3 headstart programs daycares in La Crosse, Wisconsin, out of 22 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 La Crosse have an average Google rating of 4.41 out of 5 across 12 rated facilities. About 58% of rated daycares score 4.5 stars or higher.
When choosing a daycare in La Crosse, consider visiting facilities in person and checking:
  • Licensing status with Wisconsin's regulatory agency
  • Staff-to-child ratios (requirements vary by age group in Wisconsin)
  • Safety measures and cleanliness
  • Daily routines and educational curriculum
  • Parent reviews and ratings
  • Location and hours that fit your schedule
La Crosse offers several types of childcare facilities:
  • Child Daycare & Preschools — 19 facilities
  • Headstart Programs — 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 Wisconsin 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 La Crosse for current pricing.
Yes, daycare centers in La Crosse must be licensed by Wisconsin'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.