Hillsboro, OH · Highland · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Hillsboro, Ohio

Hillsboro is the birthplace of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, founded here in 1873 by "Mother" Eliza Jane Thompson to launch the temperance crusade that became one of the late 19th century's most influential reform movements, directly shaping both women's suffrage and prohibition. The city was also renowned for its steel alloy bell manufacturing—by 1890, the foundry was producing over 20,000 bells per year that were shipped worldwide, a legacy celebrated today through the Festival of the Bells during the fourth of July weekend. In 1954, nineteen mothers from Hillsboro marched to integrate the city's elementary schools, making it the first northern test case of school desegregation following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. We analyzed all 4 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Hillsboro, 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.

4Centers 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
Sunrise Sunset Childcare & Development Center, Inc
208 Elm St, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.2/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
7
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
8

Strengths

  • Extended hours 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM — one of the widest availability windows in Hillsboro
  • Serving families since 1997; large capacity (106 children) serving full age range infants through school-age
  • SUTQ Gold (5-star) rated

Considerations

    2
    H.C.C.A.O. Head Start
    1487 North High Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133
    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 (5-star) rated — Highland County Community Action Organization has operated Head Start for 50+ years (since the 1960s)
    • Four Hillsboro classrooms plus three in Greenfield — well-established multi-site Highland County presence
    • Comprehensive services: educational programming, health services, nutritious meals, family support, and transportation
    • Individualized curriculum targeting school readiness skills including language, math, science, and creative arts
    • Free program for income-eligible families; Early Head Start also available for infants and toddlers

    Considerations

    • Income eligibility requirement — not available to all families
    • Suite 500 office address may cause confusion — center may be in a different building from admin office
    3
    Little Lamb Christian Preschool
    155 W Walnut St, Hillsboro, OH 45133
    ★ 5 (4 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: NR
    5.7/ 10
    Safety
    6
    Curriculum
    6
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    5
    Teachers
    6
    Compassion
    7
    Mgmt
    6
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    5

    Strengths

    • Google: 5.0/5 from 4 reviews — strong community rating
    • Faith-based Christian preschool serving Hillsboro families
    • Ohio-licensed childcare center

    Considerations

    • Only 4 Google reviews — limited public feedback base
    • SUTQ Not Rated — has not participated in Ohio quality rating system
    4
    St. Mary Preschool
    119 East Walnut Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133
    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

    • Catholic faith-based preschool and elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade) with rolling admissions — no application deadline
    • Small school enrollment (56 students total) — intimate community environment for children
    • Affiliated with St. Mary Catholic School — continuity of faith-based education from preschool through elementary
    • Ohio-licensed childcare center in central Hillsboro serving Highland County families

    Considerations

    • SUTQ Not Rated — has not participated in Ohio quality rating system
    • Student-to-teacher ratio of 19:1 exceeds the national average of 11:1 — larger class sizes than typical preschools
    • Student body demographics (6% students of color vs. 25% state average) suggest limited diversity
    No centers match this filter.

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    Recognition of Excellence · Hillsboro, OH · 2026
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