Ottawa, OH · Putnam · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Ottawa, Ohio

Ottawa serves as the county seat of Putnam County in northwest Ohio, with deep roots in the region's German heritage—over half the village's population traces its ancestry to Germany. Long before its incorporation, the area was home to the Ottawa and Wyandot tribes, whose names live on in the community's identity and the Blanchard River that flows through the county. We analyzed all 4 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Ottawa, 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.

7Centers 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
Ottawa Head Start
1205 E. Third, Ottawa, OH 45875
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.4/ 10
Safety
6
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

  • SUTQ Gold rated - highest Ohio quality designation
  • Federally funded Head Start program - free for income-eligible families ages 3-5
  • Comprehensive services: education, health, dental, mental health, nutrition, and family support
  • Small class size (capacity 23) - low enrollment for individualized attention
  • Licensed since 2003 - over 20 years serving Putnam County families

Considerations

  • Income-eligibility required - not available to all families
2
Loving Care Learning Center
360 N. Locus Street, Ottawa, OH 45875
Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: NR
5.8/ 10
Safety
5
Curriculum
6
Art/Music
5
Infant care
5
K-ready
7
Teachers
6
Compassion
6
Mgmt
6
Culture
6
Class sizes
0
Extracurriculars
6

Strengths

  • Family-owned and operated since 1989 - multigenerational local business
  • Programs from nursery through pre-K and school-age
  • Monthly newsletters and calendars for family engagement
  • Structured curriculum with kindergarten readiness focus

Considerations

    3
    Trinity Preschool
    137 N Pratt St, Ottawa, OH 45875
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: NR
    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

    • Ecumenical Christian preschool for ages 3-5 - welcoming to all families
    • 100% recommend rating on Facebook from 9 reviews - strong community reputation
    • Two class options: two-day morning (younger 3s) and three-day morning (Pre-K)
    • Field trips to enrich curriculum; fall progress reports and spring parent-teacher conferences
    • Small, focused program - personalized attention for each child

    Considerations

    • SUTQ: Not Rated - no Ohio Step Up To Quality quality-tier designation
    • Morning sessions only - not suitable for full-day childcare needs
    • Children must be potty trained by age 3 - limits very young toddler enrollment
    • No public Google reviews - limited breadth of independent feedback
    4
    Putnam County Ymca Child Care
    101 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa, OH 45875
    ★ 4.3 (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

    • 4.3/5 Google stars from 20 reviews - strong, well-sampled community approval
    • YMCA-operated childcare in Ottawa with institutional accountability
    • Serves Putnam County families with structured enrichment activities
    • PFCC vouchers accepted - accessible to subsidy-eligible families
    • Licensed childcare center at 101 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa

    Considerations

    • SUTQ: Not Rated - no Ohio Step Up To Quality quality-tier designation
    5
    Little Lambs Christian Preschool
    404 Northland Dr., Kalida, OH 45853
    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
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    5

    Strengths

    • Christian preschool for ages 2-5 building spiritual and academic foundations
    • Non-profit organization emphasizing individualized attention and small class sizes
    • Small ratios noted in community feedback; Montessori-style learning approaches used
    • Accommodating to dietary restrictions and infant feeding schedules per community descriptions

    Considerations

    • SUTQ: Not Rated - no Ohio Step Up To Quality quality-tier designation
    • New nonprofit (IRS ruling 2022) - limited public track record compared to established centers
    6
    Kingdom Kids Preschool
    105 Cedar Street, Dupont, OH 45837
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Bronze
    5.2/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    6
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    5
    Compassion
    5
    Mgmt
    5
    Culture
    5
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    5

    Strengths

    • SUTQ Bronze rated - Ohio Step Up To Quality quality-tier designation
    • Located at Dupont Church of the Brethren - faith-based preschool for ages 3-5
    • Affordable tuition: $55/month for 3-4 year olds (2 days/wk), $70/month for 4-5 year olds (3 days/wk)
    • Accepts publicly funded child care (PFCC) vouchers - accessible to subsidy-eligible families

    Considerations

    • Half-day morning sessions only - not suitable for full-day childcare needs
    • No public website found - limited program transparency
    7
    Kids Count Kalida Llc
    310 Ralph Street, Kalida, OH 45853
    Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: NR
    5.1/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    6
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    5
    Teachers
    5
    Compassion
    5
    Mgmt
    5
    Culture
    5
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    5

    Strengths

    • Full age range: infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age (capacity 65)
    • Participates in federally funded Child Care Food Program - USDA-compliant meals and snacks
    • Licensed childcare center serving Putnam County families in Kalida since 2016

    Considerations

    • SUTQ: Not Rated - no Ohio Step Up To Quality quality-tier designation
    • No public website found - limited program transparency for prospective families
    No centers match this filter.

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    Recognition of Excellence · Ottawa, OH · 2026
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