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

Finding the right childcare
in Madison, Ohio

Madison's industrial heritage reaches back to its early settlement in 1802, when it became a hub for manufacturing enterprise—the area produced iron stoves and hollowware at the Arcole Iron Furnace, which at its peak in the 1830s was one of Ohio's largest industrial operations, producing five tons of cast iron daily. The village's location along Lake Erie and its abundant timber and bog iron deposits made it a crucial center for heavy manufacturing and commerce in the early industrial era. Today, Madison remains a historic Lake County village with deep roots in the region's industrial and maritime heritage. We analyzed all 4 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Madison, 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
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.6/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
9
Art/Music
7
Infant care
8
K-ready
8
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
8
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
8

Strengths

  • Ohio SUTQ 5-Star rated — highest quality tier in the state
  • Uses proven research-based Creative Curriculum nurturing curiosity and independence across all age groups
  • Part of Little Scholars Early Learning Center network (9 Lake County campuses since 1993)
  • Serves children 6 weeks to 13 years — full continuum including summer camp and holiday/snow day care
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

Considerations

    Safety
    6
    Curriculum
    7
    Art/Music
    6
    Infant care
    7
    K-ready
    7
    Teachers
    6
    Compassion
    7
    Mgmt
    5
    Culture
    5
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Full continuum of care from 6 weeks through school-age (infants, young toddlers, older toddlers, preschool, pre-K, before/after school, summer program)
    • Faith-based philosophy emphasizing Biblical foundation, love, and relationship-building with each child and family
    • Pre-K program specifically focused on school readiness and foundational academic skills
    • Daily activity logs for infants — families receive transparency on feeding, sleep, and activities
    • ODJFS-licensed; pursuing Ohio Step Up To Quality recognition
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families

    Considerations

    • Program director holds a degree in Applied Music rather than early childhood education — ECE credentials of teaching staff not disclosed on website
    • Ohio SUTQ rated Bronze — below Silver/Gold peers in the area
    3
    Great Day Of Madison Inc. Dba Great Day Child Care Learning Center
    4 (20 Google)    ·  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

    • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: Silver — recognized quality program
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families
    • Ohio-licensed childcare center serving the local community

    Considerations

      4
      East End Ymca Child Care
      3.6 (20 Google)    ·  YMCA Child Care · 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

      • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated: NR — recognized quality program
      • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers — accessible to subsidy-eligible families
      • Ohio-licensed childcare center serving the local community

      Considerations

        No centers match this filter.

        Families in this area also explore

        ← Back to rankings
        Recognition of Excellence · Madison, 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
        Compare:
        Side-by-side comparison