Fredericktown & Gambier, OH · Knox · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Fredericktown & Gambier, Ohio

Fredericktown is home to a remarkable piece of American youth history—in 1933, the local FFA chapter introduced the blue corduroy jacket with the FFA logo that became the official uniform for the entire national organization. Gambier, just minutes away, is home to Kenyon College, founded in 1824 as Ohio's oldest private college and the birthplace of the Advanced Placement Program in the 1950s; the college has educated notable alumni including U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Together, these communities represent a distinctive blend of agricultural heritage and elite liberal arts education in rural Ohio. We analyzed all 3 Ohio-licensed childcare centers across Fredericktown & Gambier, 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.

3Centers 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
Knox County Head Start - Fredericktown
124 High Street, Fredericktown, OH 43019
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.3/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
7
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
8
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • SUTQ Gold; one of 10 National Head Start Centers of Excellence grant recipients — rare federal recognition
  • Implements Conscious Discipline — evidence-based social-emotional learning approach
  • Extended hours 7:30am-5:30pm with Early Head Start for infants/toddlers (6 wk-36 mo) plus preschool; breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided
  • Parent testimonial: 'Complete change in my child within three months... improved significantly in speech. I recommend this school to anyone'

Considerations

  • Income eligibility requirement — not open to all families
  • Limited public review base — only one documented parent testimonial found online
2
Gambier Child Care Center
119 Meadow Lane, Gambier, OH 43022
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 Knox County Head Start with Kenyon College affiliation — tuition discounts for college employees
  • Full-day, full-year care for ages 6 weeks to 12 years including infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age rooms
  • Conscious Discipline approach; 7:30am-5:30pm extended hours; accepts PFCC vouchers
  • Formal kindergarten transition plan and family advocacy services on site

Considerations

  • One documented review raised safety concern: child broke arm on slide while teacher observed
  • Income eligibility applies for Head Start slots — private pay also accepted but at higher cost
3
Fredericktown Christian Preschool
123 Columbus Road, Fredericktown, OH 43019
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

  • Child-centered Christian preschool for ages 3-5; structured M-F program focused on socialization and kindergarten readiness
  • Named teaching staff (Director Melissa Rinehart, Curriculum Director Emily Carter) signals continuity and accountability
  • Currently accepting 2025-2026 applications — active and open program

Considerations

  • SUTQ Not Rated — has not participated in Ohio quality rating system
  • Preschool-only (ages 3-5) — no infant, toddler, or school-age care
No centers match this filter.

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Recognition of Excellence · Fredericktown & Gambier, 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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