Mansfield, OH · Richland · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Mansfield, Ohio

Mansfield's Ohio State Reformatory, a Gothic castle-like structure built between 1886 and 1910, became an iconic Hollywood filming location featured in major films including The Shawshank Redemption, Air Force One, and Tango & Cash. The city has earned the nickname "Carousel Capital of Ohio" and is home to Richland Carousel Park, which features the first hand-carved indoor wooden carousel built and operated in the United States since the early 1930s. Mansfield was also the birthplace of Safety Town, a pioneering pedestrian safety program for children that has since expanded to over 4,000 communities across the US and 38 countries worldwide. We analyzed all 19 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Mansfield, 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.

21Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
46,293City population
Sort by
🔍
Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Ohcac Barbara Haxton Early Childhood Center
255 Hedges Street, Mansfield, OH 44902
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
7.0/ 10
Safety
7
Curriculum
8
Art/Music
6
Infant care
7
K-ready
7
Teachers
8
Compassion
7
Mgmt
7
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
7

Strengths

  • SUTQ Gold-rated Ohio Heartland CAC Head Start — federally funded comprehensive early childhood services
  • Early Head Start classrooms with small class sizes: 8 children with 2 teachers
  • Described as "a home away from home" — community-centered approach to early care
  • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers; Ohio-licensed

Considerations

    2
    First English Lutheran Early Learning Center
    53 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44902
    ★ 5 (7 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Gold
    6.7/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    8
    Art/Music
    7
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    8
    Compassion
    8
    Mgmt
    8
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Perfect 5-star Google rating (7 reviews)
    • Faith-based Lutheran learning environment
    • Ohio-licensed childcare center

    Considerations

      3
      Y Kids Club @ Central Elementary School
      124 Frederick Street, Mansfield, OH 44907
      Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: Gold
      6.7/ 10
      Safety
      7
      Curriculum
      8
      Art/Music
      5
      Infant care
      5
      K-ready
      6
      Teachers
      8
      Compassion
      7
      Mgmt
      7
      Culture
      7
      Class sizes
      0
      Extracurriculars
      7

      Strengths

      • YMCA Kids Club with engaging curriculum, homework help, and required physical activity
      • SUTQ Gold-rated; open during school delays and snow days — reliable school-age coverage
      • YMCA financial assistance available for qualifying families
      • Positive parental response noted; children report enjoying the program and building friendships

      Considerations

        4
        Jc Kids Daycare & Learning Center
        464 Stewart Road, Mansfield, OH 44905
        ★ 4.6 (20 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
        SUTQ: Gold
        6.6/ 10
        Safety
        5
        Curriculum
        8
        Art/Music
        5
        Infant care
        5
        K-ready
        6
        Teachers
        8
        Compassion
        7
        Mgmt
        8
        Culture
        8
        Class sizes
        0
        Extracurriculars
        6

        Strengths

        • 4.6-star Google rating (20 reviews - strong review base)
        • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated
        • Ohio-licensed childcare center

        Considerations

          5
          Clover Hill Early Learning Center
          2986 Park Ave. W., Ontario, OH 44906
          Licensed Child Care Center
          SUTQ: Gold
          6.6/ 10
          Safety
          5
          Curriculum
          9
          Art/Music
          5
          Infant care
          5
          K-ready
          6
          Teachers
          9
          Compassion
          8
          Mgmt
          8
          Culture
          5
          Class sizes
          0
          Extracurriculars
          6

          Strengths

          • SUTQ 5-Star rated (highest in Ohio) — achieved in 90 days, a record-setting pace
          • Founded 2023 by former school principal; play-based, developmentally rich curriculum
          • Parents praise: staff are 'all excellent and very caring and attentive to each child's needs'
          • Two Ontario campuses serving 6 weeks to 10 years; ODJFS licensed full-day program

          Considerations

            6
            Lexington "Y" Childcare
            215 West. Main Street, Mansfield, OH 44904
            ★ 4.9 (6 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

            • 4.9-star Google rating (6 reviews)
            • YMCA-based childcare program
            • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated

            Considerations

              7
              Childtime Children'S Centers Inc
              145 N Trimble Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906
              ★ 4.3 (20 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
              SUTQ: Gold
              6.4/ 10
              Safety
              5
              Curriculum
              7
              Art/Music
              5
              Infant care
              5
              K-ready
              6
              Teachers
              8
              Compassion
              8
              Mgmt
              8
              Culture
              6
              Class sizes
              0
              Extracurriculars
              6

              Strengths

              • 4.3-star Google rating (20 reviews)
              • National Childtime curriculum for infants through K
              • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated

              Considerations

                8
                Mansfield 1St Epc Preschool
                399 S Trimble Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906
                ★ 5    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
                SUTQ: NR
                6.4/ 10
                Safety
                5
                Curriculum
                6
                Art/Music
                5
                Infant care
                5
                K-ready
                5
                Teachers
                8
                Compassion
                9
                Mgmt
                6
                Culture
                8
                Class sizes
                0
                Extracurriculars
                7

                Strengths

                • Perfect 5-star Google rating
                • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                Considerations

                  9
                  North Central State College Child Development Center
                  2441 Kenwood Circle, Mansfield, OH 44906
                  Licensed Child Care Center
                  SUTQ: Gold
                  6.4/ 10
                  Safety
                  5
                  Curriculum
                  8
                  Art/Music
                  5
                  Infant care
                  8
                  K-ready
                  6
                  Teachers
                  8
                  Compassion
                  6
                  Mgmt
                  7
                  Culture
                  5
                  Class sizes
                  0
                  Extracurriculars
                  6

                  Strengths

                  • NAEYC-accredited and federally designated Early Head Start grantee
                  • Serves children from 6 weeks through kindergarten with family-style meals
                  • Staff selected specifically for nurturing and educational experience
                  • College-affiliated training lab with Ohio licensure and strong professional standards

                  Considerations

                    10
                    Assembly Of God Preschool & Day Care (Dba:M1 Kids Academy)
                    1000 Mc Pherson St, Mansfield, OH 44906
                    ★ 5    ·  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

                    • Perfect 5-star Google rating
                    • M1 Kids Academy - Ohio Step Up To Quality: Gold rated
                    • Largest licensed childcare center in Mansfield
                    • Accepts PFCC vouchers

                    Considerations

                      11
                      Friendly House Day Care
                      380 N Mulberry St, Mansfield, OH 44902
                      ★ 3.5 (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

                      • United Way agency serving Richland County since 1949
                      • SUTQ Gold-rated quality program
                      • Community center model offers wraparound support for families
                      • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

                      Considerations

                        12
                        Fran'S Child Care Center At The Mansfield Area Y
                        750 Scholl Road, Mansfield, OH 44907
                        ★ 2.1 (5 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

                        • YMCA-affiliated with Ohio licensure serving infants through school-age
                        • Flexible full-time and part-time enrollment options
                        • SUTQ Silver rating — recognized quality program
                        • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

                        Considerations

                        • 2.1-star Google rating (5 reviews) - significant parent concerns
                        13
                        Little Blessings N More Llc
                        250 Glessner Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44903
                        ★ 5    ·  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

                        • Perfect 5-star Google rating
                        • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                        Considerations

                          14
                          Carpenter Center @ The Ymca
                          71 Carpenter Road, Mansfield, OH 44903
                          YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
                          SUTQ: Silver
                          5.9/ 10
                          Safety
                          6
                          Curriculum
                          7
                          Art/Music
                          5
                          Infant care
                          5
                          K-ready
                          6
                          Teachers
                          7
                          Compassion
                          6
                          Mgmt
                          6
                          Culture
                          5
                          Class sizes
                          0
                          Extracurriculars
                          6

                          Strengths

                          • YMCA-affiliated childcare with part-time and full-time enrollment; SUTQ Silver-rated
                          • YMCA of North Central Ohio is America's largest nonprofit child care provider
                          • Ohio-licensed; accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers

                          Considerations

                            15
                            Mansfield Area Y, Ontario Child Care
                            1745 Walker Lake Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906
                            Licensed Child Care Center
                            SUTQ: Silver
                            5.9/ 10
                            Safety
                            6
                            Curriculum
                            7
                            Art/Music
                            5
                            Infant care
                            5
                            K-ready
                            6
                            Teachers
                            7
                            Compassion
                            6
                            Mgmt
                            6
                            Culture
                            5
                            Class sizes
                            0
                            Extracurriculars
                            6

                            Strengths

                            • YMCA-affiliated childcare at the Ontario location; SUTQ Silver-rated quality program
                            • Ohio-licensed; accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers
                            • Licensed since 2004 — established presence in the Ontario community

                            Considerations

                            • One employee review on childcarecenter.us raised concerns about staff training practices
                            16
                            Step-By-Step Child Care Inc
                            1289 Ashland Road, Mansfield, OH 44905
                            ★ 4.6 (14 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
                            SUTQ: Bronze
                            5.8/ 10
                            Safety
                            5
                            Curriculum
                            6
                            Art/Music
                            5
                            Infant care
                            5
                            K-ready
                            6
                            Teachers
                            6
                            Compassion
                            7
                            Mgmt
                            6
                            Culture
                            6
                            Class sizes
                            0
                            Extracurriculars
                            6

                            Strengths

                            • 4.6-star Google rating (14 reviews)
                            • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated
                            • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                            Considerations

                              17
                              Weekend Clubhouse
                              187 Blymyer Ave., Mansfield, OH 44903
                              ★ 5    ·  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

                              • Perfect 5-star Google rating
                              • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                              Considerations

                                18
                                Woodville Grace Brethren Preschool
                                580 Woodville Rd, Mansfield, OH 44907
                                ★ 4.6 (20 Google)    ·  Licensed Child Care Center
                                SUTQ: NR
                                5.7/ 10
                                Safety
                                5
                                Curriculum
                                6
                                Art/Music
                                5
                                Infant care
                                5
                                K-ready
                                5
                                Teachers
                                6
                                Compassion
                                7
                                Mgmt
                                6
                                Culture
                                6
                                Class sizes
                                0
                                Extracurriculars
                                6

                                Strengths

                                • 4.6-star Google rating (20 reviews)
                                • Faith-based Brethren Church preschool
                                • Ohio-licensed childcare center

                                Considerations

                                  19
                                  Little Warriors Childcare
                                  2200 Bedford Blvd, Ontario, OH 44906
                                  ★ 1 (1 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

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

                                  Considerations

                                  • 1-star Google rating - significant parent concerns noted
                                  20
                                  Imagination Child Care Inc.
                                  100 Park Ave. West, Mansfield, OH 44902
                                  Licensed Child Care Center
                                  SUTQ: Bronze
                                  5.5/ 10
                                  Safety
                                  5
                                  Curriculum
                                  6
                                  Art/Music
                                  5
                                  Infant care
                                  5
                                  K-ready
                                  6
                                  Teachers
                                  6
                                  Compassion
                                  6
                                  Mgmt
                                  5
                                  Culture
                                  5
                                  Class sizes
                                  0
                                  Extracurriculars
                                  6

                                  Strengths

                                  • CACFP-accredited meals and snacks included at no extra cost
                                  • Flexible scheduling with full-time and part-time options
                                  • Director CDA-credentialed with personal investment in each child
                                  • Ohio-licensed with Step Up To Quality Bronze rating

                                  Considerations

                                    21
                                    Park Avenue Child Care And Education
                                    812 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, OH 44905
                                    Licensed Child Care Center
                                    SUTQ: Bronze
                                    5.2/ 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
                                    5

                                    Strengths

                                    • Capacity for 66 children; open 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday
                                    • Serves infants through school-age; SUTQ Bronze-rated; accepts PFCC vouchers

                                    Considerations

                                      No centers match this filter.

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                                      Recognition of Excellence · Mansfield, OH · 2026
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                                      Awards Earned
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                                      🏆 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.
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