Barberton, OH · Summit · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Barberton, Ohio

Barberton earned the nickname the "Magic City" for the remarkable speed of its growth after its founding in 1891 by industrialist O.C. Barber, who relocated Diamond Match Company operations here in 1894 and transformed it into a major industrial center. The city's rapid development in that era—driven by waves of immigration and industrial expansion—happened so quickly that an early visitor remarked it seemed to have grown by magic. The "Magic City" name lives on in local landmarks like the iconic Magic City Drive-In Theater, which opened in 1953 with its famous genie-and-lamp marquee. We analyzed all 8 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Barberton, scoring each across 11 real dimensions from parent reviews and public records. No marketing copy — just what real families reported. We scored each Ohio-licensed childcare center across 11 real dimensions — safety, curriculum, arts & music, infant care, kindergarten readiness and more. Scores drawn from major public review platforms and parent communities — not center marketing.

8Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
24,688City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Head Start At Barberton
315 E. State Street, Barberton, OH 44203
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.6/ 10
Safety
8
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
8
Mgmt
8
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • Ohio SUTQ Gold rated; federally funded Head Start with comprehensive wraparound support for families
  • No-cost program for income-eligible families: covers education, medical/dental/vision screenings, nutrition, and mental health
  • Serves infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; Early Head Start extends to pregnant women and families with children under 3
  • Parents are active partners: serve on policy councils, attend workshops on child development, and volunteer in classrooms
  • Operated by Community Action Akron Summit — long-established nonprofit with deep Summit County roots
  • Disabilities services available; program designed to identify and support children with special needs

Considerations

  • Eligibility restricted to families below federal poverty guidelines or receiving public assistance
  • Enrollment is limited and demand typically exceeds available slots; waitlists are common
2
Discovericlub West, Llc
225-233 31 St. Sw, Barberton, OH 44203
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.9/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
9
Compassion
9
Mgmt
8
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold (Goldstar-rated) — highest recognition
  • In operation since 2006 — most teachers have 10+ years of tenure
  • Parents describe staff as amazing, loving, and caring across multiple siblings
  • Warm, safe, educational environment for children 6 weeks through 5 years

Considerations

    3
    St Augustine Preschool & Child Care Center
    633 W Paige Ave, Barberton, OH 44203
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Silver
    6.7/ 10
    Safety
    7
    Curriculum
    7
    Art/Music
    6
    Infant care
    7
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    7
    Compassion
    7
    Mgmt
    7
    Culture
    7
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Ohio SUTQ Silver (3-star) rated; parish-affiliated program with over 35 years of community presence
    • Serves children 18 months through 12 years — one of the broadest age spans in Barberton
    • Flexible scheduling: full week (4-5 days) or partial week (2-3 days) options Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-6:00 PM
    • Church-based setting provides faith-formed environment while remaining open to all families

    Considerations

    • BBB profile shows 0 customer reviews; no ratings on CareLuLu or other major platforms
    • Limited published information about curriculum specifics, staff credentials, or enrichment programs
    4
    Kindercare Learning Center #301679
    111 Fifth St Se, Barberton, OH 44203
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Gold
    6.5/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    8
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    8
    Compassion
    8
    Mgmt
    8
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
    • NAEYC-accredited — meets highest national standards for early childhood education
    • 92% Facebook recommendation rate from reviewed families
    • Pre-K teachers praised by families with children enrolled for years
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

    Considerations

      5
      Kind Kids Learning Academy
      273 Wooster Rd. N, Barberton, OH 44203
      Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: Gold
      6.3/ 10
      Safety
      5
      Curriculum
      8
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      5
      K-ready
      6
      Teachers
      8
      Compassion
      6
      Mgmt
      8
      Culture
      6
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      6

      Strengths

      • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold — recognized quality program
      • Balanced approach to learning giving children the foundation to succeed
      • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

      Considerations

        6
        Crowned Crayons Academy
        62 Conservatory Drive, Barberton, OH 44203
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: NR
        5.9/ 10
        Safety
        6
        Curriculum
        7
        Art/Music
        6
        Infant care
        6
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        6
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        5
        Culture
        5
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Comprehensive age range: infants through 12 years, with flexible hours including weekends (M-F 6:30 AM-8 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM-4 PM)
        • Kids Think Curriculum covering language, cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and approaches-to-learning domains
        • Curriculum aligned with Ohio Learning Standards ensuring benchmarked developmental goals
        • Activities span language/literacy, writing, science, construction, math, technology, sensory, and physical development

        Considerations

        • Website lists an Akron address but operates from Barberton; limited published information about staff qualifications
        • No SUTQ rating on file per task assignment — quality unverified by state evaluation
        7
        Kids World Preschool & Daycare
        239 31St St Nw, Barberton, OH 44203
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Bronze
        5.9/ 10
        Safety
        6
        Curriculum
        6
        Art/Music
        6
        Infant care
        6
        K-ready
        0
        Teachers
        6
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        5
        Culture
        6
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Long-established center operating since 1992; serves infants through school age (6 weeks to 12 years)
        • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers; extended hours 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Friday
        • Licensed capacity of 72 children; offers childcare, preschool, and before/after school programs
        • Nurturing environment with stated focus on overall growth and development

        Considerations

        • Ohio SUTQ Bronze — lower quality rating; limited published curriculum or program details
        • Inspection record shows Partially Compliant status in 2022 (non-compliance fully addressed)
        • Website unavailable at time of research; limited transparency about current programs and staff
        8
        Bright Hopes Community Childcare , Llc
        112 2Nd St. S.E, Barberton, OH 44203
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Silver
        5.7/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        7
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        0
        Teachers
        6
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        5
        Culture
        6
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Ohio SUTQ Silver rated; faith-based childcare positioned as a nurturing community resource
        • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers; extended hours 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Monday-Friday
        • Parents praise staff who genuinely care: original families have remained since inception
        • Dual curriculum: creative curriculum alongside Bible-based content; described as amazing by one parent

        Considerations

        • One parent reported serious management concern: director took children on personal errands without parental knowledge or permission
        • One parent reported a child injury incident with inadequate reporting and follow-up care
        • Inconsistent practices noted: potty training disruptions, unannounced closures, and scheduling inflexibility
        • Ohio inspection history: Partially Compliant in 2024 and 2025 annual inspections (non-compliance addressed each time)
        • Limited program transparency on website — no staff qualifications or age-range specifics published
        No centers match this filter.

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        Recognition of Excellence · Barberton, OH · 2026
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