Urbana, OH · Champaign · Based on public reviews & parent communities

Finding the right childcare
in Urbana, Ohio

Urbana holds a proud place in American frontier history—the city was established in 1805 as a key settlement in Ohio, and served as headquarters for the Northwestern army during the War of 1812, making it a strategic stronghold in the young nation's expansion. The legendary frontiersman Simon Kenton, who survived capture and torture by the Shawnee before becoming a brigadier general, moved to Urbana in 1810 and is buried here, cementing the city's legacy as a pivotal frontier outpost. Today, Urbana keeps that aviation and preservation spirit alive through the Champaign Aviation Museum on Grimes Field, where vintage World War II aircraft including a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress are restored to flying condition. We analyzed all 6 Ohio-licensed childcare centers in Urbana, 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.

6Centers reviewed
11Dimensions scored
1,000+Reviews analyzed
11,467City population
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Score key
9–10 exceptional
7–8 strong
4–6 average or below

1
Cors Head Start - Urbana
1150 Scioto St, Urbana, OH 43078
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.9/ 10
Safety
6
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

  • Gold SUTQ - CORS Head Start meets Ohio top quality tier for curriculum and teacher qualifications
  • CORS has served West Central Ohio since 1975 across 17 licensed centers - deep organizational experience supporting 30,000+ children
  • Research-based curricula with ongoing developmental assessments throughout the year
  • Degreed teachers in all classrooms; includes specialized support for children with special needs
  • Free meals, health screenings, Early Head Start (birth-3) and Head Start (3-5) services for eligible families

Considerations

  • Council on Rural Services is not BBB Accredited, though this is common for nonprofit Head Start organizations
2
Cors Head Start - Urbana North
1471 E. Us Highway 36, Urbana, OH 43078
Head Start · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.9/ 10
Safety
6
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

  • Gold SUTQ - CORS Head Start meets Ohio top quality tier for curriculum and teacher qualifications
  • Site on US-36 east of Urbana - convenient for families in the Mechanicsburg and eastern Champaign County corridor
  • Research-based curricula with ongoing developmental assessments and degreed classroom teachers
  • Free meals, health screenings, and disability support included for eligible families
  • Part of CORS network supporting 30,000+ children across West Central Ohio since 1975

Considerations

  • Council on Rural Services is not BBB Accredited, though this is common for nonprofit Head Start organizations
3
Champaign Family Ymca
191 Community Drive, Urbana, OH 43078
★ 4.3 (20 Google)    ·  YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
SUTQ: Gold
6.4/ 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
7

Strengths

  • 4.3-star Google rating (20 reviews)
  • Parents praise cleanliness, friendly staff, and YMCA amenities
  • Access to pool and fitness center

Considerations

    4
    Champaign Family Ymca-Urbana B/A Care
    1673 South Us 68, Urbana, OH 43078
    YMCA Child Care · Licensed Child Care Center
    SUTQ: Silver
    5.9/ 10
    Safety
    5
    Curriculum
    7
    Art/Music
    5
    Infant care
    5
    K-ready
    6
    Teachers
    7
    Compassion
    6
    Mgmt
    6
    Culture
    6
    Class sizes
    0
    Extracurriculars
    6

    Strengths

    • Ohio SUTQ: Silver rated before/after school care extension of the Champaign Family YMCA
    • Serves Urbana City Schools plus Graham, Mechanicsburg, and West Liberty-Salem elementary schools -- broad geographic coverage
    • School's Day Out full-day programming (6:30am-6:00pm) available on school holidays and breaks
    • Snacks included; extended before-school and after-school hours until 6:00pm
    • Part of Champaign County's largest childcare provider network; accepts PFCC vouchers

    Considerations

    • Serves K-5th grade only; not a general childcare center for infants or toddlers
    • A 2023 licensing inspection noted partially compliant findings (non-compliance not addressed) for the main YMCA location
    5
    Center For Creative Child Care
    N Main & Church St, Urbana, OH 43078
    ★ 4.7 (4 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

    • 4.7-star Google rating (4 reviews)
    • Ohio Step Up To Quality rated
    • Ohio-licensed childcare center

    Considerations

      6
      Theresa'S Gingerbread House
      1202 North Main Street, Urbana, OH 43078
      Licensed Child Care Center
      SUTQ: Bronze
      5.1/ 10
      Safety
      4
      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

      • Ohio SUTQ: Bronze rated; established since 1989 -- 35+ years in Urbana
      • Licensed for 107 children; serves ages 6 weeks-12 years including drop-in care Friday and Saturday nights
      • Open 6 days per week, 5:00am-5:30pm -- one of the earliest-opening centers in the area
      • Christian-based program; accepts PFCC vouchers (Title 20 childcare assistance)
      • All meals and snacks provided; two-location network (Urbana and West Liberty)

      Considerations

      • The one publicly available review (childcarecenter.us) raised serious supervision concerns: staff described as inattentive during outdoor play and not engaged in teaching activities
      • Same reviewer noted staff physical handling of children that concerned them
      • October 2024 Ohio licensing inspection showed partial compliance (subsequently addressed by December 2025)
      • No additional public parent reviews found to corroborate or counter these concerns
      No centers match this filter.

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      Recognition of Excellence · Urbana, OH · 2026
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