Willoughby, OH · Lake · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Willoughby, Ohio

Willoughby gained prominence in the 1830s as the home of the Willoughby University of Lake Erie Medical College, which played a foundational role in establishing medical schools that eventually became part of Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University. Today, the city's downtown is known for its exceptional collection of 19th-century architecture, with 69 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995, spanning Greek Revival, Italianate, Gothic, and Classical styles that give the district its distinctive historic character. We analyzed all 8 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Willoughby, 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
23,376City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Little Scholars Willoughby
37912 Third St, Willoughby, OH 44094
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.7/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
6
Teachers
9
Compassion
6
Mgmt
9
Culture
8
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Gold -- recognized quality program
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers
  • Gold SUTQ certified since 2006; serving Willoughby community since 1978 -- nearly 50 years of community trust
  • Recognized as Best Tutoring Service in Willoughby 2024

Considerations

    2
    Little Scholars All Stars Willoughby
    1125 Lost Nation Rd., Willoughby, OH 44094
    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
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers
    • Part of Little Scholars network maintaining Gold SUTQ certification -- school-age enrichment for children up to 12 years

    Considerations

      3
      Willoughby Montessori Dayschool Inc
      5543 S O M Center Rd, Willoughby, OH 44094
      Montessori · Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: NR
      6.2/ 10
      Safety
      5
      Curriculum
      8
      Art/Music
      7
      Infant care
      5
      K-ready
      5
      Teachers
      7
      Compassion
      6
      Mgmt
      7
      Culture
      6
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      6

      Strengths

      • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: NR -- recognized quality program
      • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers
      • Authentic Montessori curriculum for children through kindergarten -- serves approximately 69 students
      • 4.0 out of 5 rating on GreatSchools (4 reviews) -- parents value the Montessori approach and individualized learning

      Considerations

        4
        Willoughby United Methodist Preschool
        15 Public Square, Willoughby, OH 44094
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: NR
        5.8/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        6
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        6
        Compassion
        7
        Mgmt
        5
        Culture
        7
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Faith-based preschool at Willoughby United Methodist Church — nurturing, community-centered environment
        • Conveniently located on Willoughby's Public Square

        Considerations

          5
          Clapp Children'S Center Of Breckenridge Village
          36855 Ridge Rd, Willoughby, OH 44094
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: NR
          5.5/ 10
          Safety
          5
          Curriculum
          6
          Art/Music
          5
          Infant care
          5
          K-ready
          5
          Teachers
          6
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          5
          Culture
          6
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • Theme-based curriculum developing cognitive, social, and motor skills
          • Dietician-planned meals provided daily
          • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

          Considerations

            6
            Y-School Age Child Care - Grant
            38281 Hurricane Dr., Willoughby, OH 44092
            Licensed Child Care Center
            SUTQ: NR
            5.5/ 10
            Safety
            5
            Curriculum
            6
            Art/Music
            5
            Infant care
            5
            K-ready
            5
            Teachers
            6
            Compassion
            6
            Mgmt
            5
            Culture
            6
            Class sizes
            0
            Extracurriculars
            6

            Strengths

            • YMCA school-age child care program co-located at Grant Elementary — seamless before/after school care
            • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

            Considerations

              7
              Y-School Age Child Care Edison Elementary
              5288 Karen Isle Drive, Willoughby, OH 44094
              Licensed Child Care Center
              SUTQ: NR
              5.5/ 10
              Safety
              5
              Curriculum
              6
              Art/Music
              5
              Infant care
              5
              K-ready
              5
              Teachers
              6
              Compassion
              6
              Mgmt
              5
              Culture
              6
              Class sizes
              0
              Extracurriculars
              6

              Strengths

              • YMCA school-age child care program co-located at Edison Elementary — seamless before/after school care
              • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

              Considerations

                8
                Pembroke School
                5559 Som Center Rd, Willoughby, OH 44094
                Licensed Child Care Center
                SUTQ: NR
                4.7/ 10
                Safety
                4
                Curriculum
                6
                Art/Music
                5
                Infant care
                4
                K-ready
                5
                Teachers
                5
                Compassion
                4
                Mgmt
                4
                Culture
                4
                Class sizes
                0
                Extracurriculars
                6

                Strengths

                • Award-winning teacher-developed curriculum for infant through Pre-K
                • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

                Considerations

                • Serious concern raised in reviews — reviewer alleged their child was dragged across the room for crying
                • Child reportedly came home with full diapers — inadequate supervision concerns noted
                No centers match this filter.

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                Recognition of Excellence · Willoughby, OH · 2026
                Center Name
                Awards Earned
                Recognition of Excellence — Website Badge
                🏆 For Center Directors
                Your center has earned independent recognition based on verified parent reviews. You are welcome to display this Recognition of Excellence badge on your website. Paste the snippet below anywhere in your site’s HTML — it links back to your verified ranking page, giving families confidence in your center’s standing.
                This recognition is awarded independently by Creative Minds Montessori based on publicly available parent reviews from major public review platforms and parenting communities. Centers do not pay for or request these rankings. Scores reflect editorial synthesis of parent experience — not center marketing materials. Rankings are updated periodically. Methodology & approach →  ·  Who We Are & Editorial Policy
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