Best Daycares in Columbus, NE — Independent Quality Ratings
Of Columbus's 71 daycares, 43 (61%) hold a 4 or 5 star rating from Childery, above Nebraska's statewide rate of 52%. Locally, providers average 2.6 stars on Process inputs (state QRIS, NAEYC and other accreditation, federal Head Start CLASS scores) and 4.4 stars on Structural inputs (state regulatory baseline plus provider-level licensing data), compared with Nebraska averages of 2.8 on Process and 4.1 on Structural.
The local market includes 17 centers and 36 family child care homes, a higher home-based share than Nebraska's average of 41%.
Listed alphabetically below are some of the highest-rated providers in Columbus. Childery ranks providers using publicly auditable inputs: state QRIS scores, NAEYC-aligned ratios and group sizes, and federal CCDBG training coverage. See the Nebraska methodology page for the full breakdown.
Rating Distribution in Columbus
Mean rating across all displayed daycares in Columbus: 4.1 (Sample of 71).
Process rating across all displayed daycares in Columbus: 2.6 (Sample of 17).
Structural rating across all displayed daycares in Columbus: 4.4 (Sample of 71).
Search daycares in Columbus
Browse by ZIP
Some of the Best Daycares in Columbus
Other cities in Nebraska
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many licensed daycares are in Columbus?
- There are 71 licensed child care providers in Columbus.
- What percentage of Columbus daycares have high quality ratings?
- 61% of Columbus daycares hold 4 or 5 stars on Childery's composite rating, compared to 52% statewide in Nebraska.
- What types of childcare are available in Columbus?
- 17 center-based, 36 home-based providers operate in Columbus.
- How do Columbus daycares score on teaching quality compared to the rest of Nebraska?
- Columbus daycares average 2.6 out of 5 stars on Childery's Process score (teaching quality, QRIS ratings, and accreditations), compared to a Nebraska statewide average of 2.8.
- Is there financial help for childcare in Nebraska?
- Nebraska offers childcare subsidies and assistance programs for income-eligible families. See income limits, waitlist status, and how to apply.Childcare subsidies in Nebraska
All 71 Daycares in Columbus
- Cassie’s Clubhouse Daycare
- Cassie's Clubhouse Daycare Owned by Cassandra Chohon
- CHRIST LUTHERAN EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMUNITY ob CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
- Colson’s Childcare
- Colson's Childcare Owned by Deadra Colson & Cora Colson
- Columbus Area Childcare
- Columbus Area Childcare (dual License)
- Columbus Christian Preschool
- Columbus Community Hospital Child Care Center
- Columbus Early Head Start
- Columbus Head Start
- Columbus Infant Toddler Center
- Shell Creek After School Program
- Shell Creek Elementary School
- Shelly’s Daycare
- Shelly's Daycare Owned by Shelly Moore
- Spikes Tikes Daycare
- SPIKES TIKES DAYCARE owned by SAMANTHA SPEICHER
- St Bonaventure's Child Care Center
- St Isidore After School Program
- St Isidore Preschool and Childcare
- St John's After School Program
- St John's Lutheran Child Care
- St Luke's Rainbow Preschool
- St. John’s Daycare
- STEPH'S DAYCARE owned by STEPHANIE MANWARREN
- Stutzman's Daycare
- Sunrise Elementary School