Forest, OH · Hardin · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Forest, Ohio

This small Hardin County village made national headlines in April 2024 as one of the prime destinations for the total solar eclipse, where observers experienced nearly four minutes of totality—among the longest durations in North America. Founded in 1855 when the Pennsylvania Railroad arrived, Forest was named for the forested landscape that originally covered its town site. We analyzed all 2 Ohio-licensed childcare centers across Forest, scoring each on 11 real dimensions from parent reviews. 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.

2Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.1/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • SUTQ Gold rated; operated by HHWP Community Action Commission covering Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot, and Putnam counties
  • Clean annual audit — no findings identified; licenses posted visibly in each center per ODJFS requirements
  • Free Head Start for income-eligible families ages 3-5 including children with special needs; small center serves average 16 children monthly

Considerations

  • Income eligibility requirement — not open to all families
  • Very small capacity (20) — limited availability in Forest
2
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: NR
5.4/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
5
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
5
Culture
5
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Christian faith-based preschool with dedicated website, enrollment calendar, and forms — organized program for Hardin County families
  • Serves children 24 months through 7 years; smaller center (capacity 27) allows individualized attention
  • Full-time care option available; currently accepting new enrollments

Considerations

  • SUTQ Not Rated — has not participated in Ohio quality rating system
  • No infant care — minimum age 24 months
No centers match this filter.

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Recognition of Excellence · Forest, 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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