Chillicothe, OH · Ross · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Chillicothe, Ohio

Chillicothe was Ohio's first capital, serving as the seat of state government from 1803 to 1810 and again from 1812 to 1816 before the legislature relocated to Columbus. The city sits in the Scioto River valley, a region long significant in Native American history—Tecumseh, the influential Shawnee leader of the War of 1812, was born near present-day Chillicothe. Today the city honors this deep heritage through the annual Feast of the Flowering Moon Festival, which draws tens of thousands to celebrate Native American culture and Chillicothe's role in Ohio's founding. We analyzed all 14 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Chillicothe, 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.

14Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
22,047City population
Sort by
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Huntington Head Start
188 Huntsman Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.8/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
5
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • SUTQ Gold-rated Head Start at Huntington Road — federally funded preschool for eligible families
  • Comprehensive early childhood services including health and nutrition support
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers; Ohio-licensed

Considerations

    2
    New River Early Learning Center
    151 University Drive, Chillicothe, OH 45601
    ★ 4.8 (20 Google)    ·  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

    • 4.8-star Google rating (20 reviews)
    • Parents praise loving, dedicated teachers
    • Hands-on project-based learning in language, math, art, and science
    • Christian-based learning environment from infants through kindergarten readiness

    Considerations

      3
      A Shanton Daycare
      47 Main Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601
      ★ 2.3 (6 Google)    ·  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 — accessible to subsidy-eligible families
      • Ohio-licensed childcare center serving the local community

      Considerations

      • 2.3-star Google rating (6 reviews) - significant parent concerns
      4
      The Kids Clubhouse Inc
      859 E. Water Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601
      ★ 3.7    ·  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

      • Christian-based childcare established 2009 with faith-centered values
      • Transportation to/from multiple local schools for school-age children K-12
      • Serves infants through school-age with capacity for 126 children
      • SUTQ Gold-rated quality program

      Considerations

        5
        Goodwill Childcare Llc
        2541 Western Ave, Chillicothe, OH 45601
        Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Gold
        6.1/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        8
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        8
        Compassion
        6
        Mgmt
        7
        Culture
        5
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • Goodwill Industries-affiliated center serving infants to age 4 including children with disabilities
        • Accepts both private pay and subsidized assistance through Ohio Job and Family Services
        • Hands-on self-directed learning in nurturing, safe environment
        • SUTQ Gold-rated quality program

        Considerations

          6
          Rccac- Early Learning Center @ Ou-C
          101 University Drive, Chillicothe, OH 45601
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: Gold
          6.1/ 10
          Safety
          5
          Curriculum
          8
          Art/Music
          5
          Infant care
          5
          K-ready
          6
          Teachers
          8
          Compassion
          6
          Mgmt
          7
          Culture
          5
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • University-connected center providing practicum experience for ECE, social work, and nursing students
          • Serves over 300 preschool children weekly; capacity of 114
          • SUTQ Gold-rated quality program; Head Start affiliated
          • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

          Considerations

            7
            Ross County Ymca Child Development Program
            100 Mill St, Chillicothe, OH 45601
            ★ 4.5 (20 Google)    ·  YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
            SUTQ: Silver
            6.1/ 10
            Safety
            5
            Curriculum
            7
            Art/Music
            5
            Infant care
            5
            K-ready
            6
            Teachers
            7
            Compassion
            6
            Mgmt
            7
            Culture
            6
            Class sizes
            0
            Extracurriculars
            7

            Strengths

            • 4.5-star Google rating (20 reviews)
            • YMCA community programs
            • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated

            Considerations

              8
              Creative Kids Childcare
              9031 Egypt Pike, Chillicothe, OH 45601
              ★ 3    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
              SUTQ: Silver
              6.0/ 10
              Safety
              5
              Curriculum
              7
              Art/Music
              5
              Infant care
              5
              K-ready
              6
              Teachers
              7
              Compassion
              6
              Mgmt
              7
              Culture
              6
              Class sizes
              0
              Extracurriculars
              6

              Strengths

              • Serves children 6 weeks to 6 years with small center environment
              • CACFP participant — government nutrition standards met for meals and snacks
              • SUTQ Silver-rated quality program
              • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

              Considerations

                9
                Walnut Street Children'S School
                16 S Walnut St, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                Licensed Child Care Center
                SUTQ: NR
                6.0/ 10
                Safety
                6
                Curriculum
                6
                Art/Music
                5
                Infant care
                5
                K-ready
                6
                Teachers
                7
                Compassion
                7
                Mgmt
                6
                Culture
                6
                Class sizes
                0
                Extracurriculars
                6

                Strengths

                • Parent review: "My son learned so much! His teachers were Amazing. They went out of their way to show him kindness and love"
                • Christian preschool established 1982 at Walnut Street Methodist Church — long-standing community anchor
                • AM and PM classes for 3- and 4-year-olds plus Pre-K; flexible scheduling options
                • Ohio-licensed; secure, loving environment in downtown Chillicothe

                Considerations

                  10
                  The Play And Learn Express
                  369 N High Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                  ★ 3.8 (6 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
                  SUTQ: Bronze
                  5.7/ 10
                  Safety
                  5
                  Curriculum
                  6
                  Art/Music
                  5
                  Infant care
                  5
                  K-ready
                  6
                  Teachers
                  6
                  Compassion
                  6
                  Mgmt
                  6
                  Culture
                  6
                  Class sizes
                  0
                  Extracurriculars
                  6

                  Strengths

                  • Christian-based childcare center serving Chillicothe families since 1988
                  • School transportation provided to/from multiple area schools K-12
                  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers
                  • Ohio-licensed childcare center with SUTQ Bronze rating

                  Considerations

                    11
                    Carver Community Center
                    165 W. Fourth St, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                    ★ 4.4 (20 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
                    SUTQ: NR
                    5.6/ 10
                    Safety
                    5
                    Curriculum
                    6
                    Art/Music
                    5
                    Infant care
                    5
                    K-ready
                    5
                    Teachers
                    6
                    Compassion
                    6
                    Mgmt
                    6
                    Culture
                    6
                    Class sizes
                    0
                    Extracurriculars
                    6

                    Strengths

                    • 4.4-star Google rating (20 reviews)
                    • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated
                    • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                    Considerations

                      12
                      Chillicothe City Primary Ymca Latchkey
                      235 Cherry Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                      YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
                      SUTQ: Bronze
                      5.3/ 10
                      Safety
                      5
                      Curriculum
                      6
                      Art/Music
                      5
                      Infant care
                      5
                      K-ready
                      5
                      Teachers
                      6
                      Compassion
                      5
                      Mgmt
                      5
                      Culture
                      5
                      Class sizes
                      0
                      Extracurriculars
                      6

                      Strengths

                      • YMCA latchkey school-age program at Chillicothe City Primary school; homework help and structured activities
                      • SUTQ Bronze-rated; accepts PFCC vouchers; Ohio-licensed

                      Considerations

                        13
                        Huntington Latchkey
                        188 Huntsman Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                        Licensed Child Care Center
                        SUTQ: Bronze
                        5.3/ 10
                        Safety
                        5
                        Curriculum
                        6
                        Art/Music
                        5
                        Infant care
                        5
                        K-ready
                        5
                        Teachers
                        6
                        Compassion
                        5
                        Mgmt
                        5
                        Culture
                        5
                        Class sizes
                        0
                        Extracurriculars
                        6

                        Strengths

                        • YMCA school-age before/after care at Huntington Elementary for K-4 children
                        • Homework help and healthy snacks provided; SUTQ Bronze-rated
                        • Accepts PFCC vouchers; Ohio-licensed

                        Considerations

                          14
                          Southeastern Ymca Latchkey
                          2003 Lancaster Road, Chillicothe, OH 45601
                          YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
                          SUTQ: Bronze
                          5.3/ 10
                          Safety
                          5
                          Curriculum
                          6
                          Art/Music
                          5
                          Infant care
                          5
                          K-ready
                          5
                          Teachers
                          6
                          Compassion
                          5
                          Mgmt
                          5
                          Culture
                          5
                          Class sizes
                          0
                          Extracurriculars
                          6

                          Strengths

                          • YMCA after-school care at Southeastern Elementary with arts, crafts, games, and enrichment activities
                          • Homework help and healthy breakfast and snacks provided; SUTQ Bronze-rated
                          • Accepts PFCC vouchers; Ohio-licensed

                          Considerations

                            No centers match this filter.

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                            Recognition of Excellence · Chillicothe, OH · 2026
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