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Find daycares near me

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Top 10 daycares near you

Parents agree: these daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
JUJU Learning Center LLC

JUJU Learning Center LLC

JUJU Learning Center LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a Black-owned and women-owned business led by Ms. Rita Simpson. Founded with the purpose of providing structured, quality care for children of all ages, the center specializes in looking after infants through preschoolers, as well as offering after-school care for school-aged children. With its formal environment and specific drop-off and pick-up times, JUJU Learning Center LLC ensures a one-star rated service for its clientele.
Kiddie Academy Of Westerville

Kiddie Academy Of Westerville

44+ years in business
Westerville, OH
Established in 2017, Kiddie Academy of Westerville serves the Westerville, Ohio area with a focus on fostering a nurturing, educational environment. With an emphasis on their Life Essentials curriculum and purposeful play, they offer weekly assessments to track children's growth and development. From infant and toddler care to kindergarten readiness, Kiddie Academy's highly trained teachers strive to build a strong educational foundation for children, making it a trusted educational daycare in the community.
Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC

Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC

Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a licensed daycare center that offers superior care and educational experiences. Conveniently located in Cumberland Ridge, the facility is dedicated to ensuring the best for your children. Reach out to Sister Sister Childcare First Steps for detailed information about prices and availability.
Giggles And Grins Childcare Center

Giggles And Grins Childcare Center

19+ years in business
Columbus, OH
Giggles and Grins Childcare Center, established in 2006, is a licensed childcare center serving Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas. Offering a safe, clean, and comforting environment, the center is dedicated to providing full-service care for infants through pre-kindergarten. The trained staff focuses on developmental learning through theme-based daily lesson plans and activities. With a spacious large muscle room and two playgrounds, children enjoy plenty of opportunities for exercise and play. Giggles and Grins aim to be a "home away from home," ensuring the best possible care for every child.
Primrose School Of Dublin Riverside

Primrose School Of Dublin Riverside

Primrose School Of Dublin Riverside, located in the heart of Dublin, OH, is a licensed daycare center that provides exceptional child care and play experiences. Since its establishment, the school has been dedicated to fostering an environment that supports growth and creativity, ensuring your child's well-being and development. The team at Primrose School Of Dublin Riverside invites you to inquire about their services for more details.
The Goddard School Of New Albany

The Goddard School Of New Albany

Founded in 1988, The Goddard School of New Albany, located in Ohio and surrounding areas, is not just a daycare but a private preschool. Catering to infants, toddlers, and pre-k students, The Goddard School provides a safe and caring environment that nurtures each child's curiosity. Their dedicated teachers and well-designed programs focus on academic essentials, promoting communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. With over 500 locations across the U.S., they are committed to making children school-ready, career-ready, and life-ready.
The Learning Academy

The Learning Academy

Founded in 2018, The Learning Academy, located in Westerville, OH, is a premier early childcare center. They cater to children from diverse backgrounds and skill levels, aged 6 weeks to 12 years old. Focusing on play, social development, and academic readiness, The Learning Academy offers a nurturing environment that supports every type of learner. Their experienced team of educators strive to help children become confident thinkers through a developmentally appropriate and content-rich program. Interestingly, The Learning Academy is more than just a daycare; it's a place where children are encouraged to learn, share, play, and grow.
Kids Learn & Care

Kids Learn & Care

Kids Learn & Care, founded in 2016, serves Columbus, OH, and surrounding areas with their exceptional daycare services. This childcare center is committed to providing a nurturing environment for children aged 6 weeks to 13 years, encouraging academic success through age-appropriate activities and structured play. Their services extend to various communities including New Albany, Gahanna, and Westerville. Kids Learn & Care takes pride in being a warm, loving, safe, and educational space for children from all nations.
Evening & Morning Child Care Services

Evening & Morning Child Care Services

Evening & Morning Child Care Services, located in Pickerington, Ohio, offers specialized weekend daycare services, including morning, evening, special event, and overnight care options. The business promotes quality childcare through its licensed in-home center, dedicated staff, and developmentally appropriate learning activities. With a focus on creating a safe, comfortable, and fun environment, Evening & Morning Child Care Services strive to meet the needs of children in a warm and relaxed setting.
Peacox Child Care

Peacox Child Care

8+ years in business
Canal Winchester, OH
Founded in 2017, Peacox Child Care, located in Canal Winchester, Ohio, understands that no two children are alike. They offer a range of childcare programs and tutoring services that cater to each child's unique strengths and needs. Their goal is to keep every child engaged and happy while helping them grow and succeed. The center is also proud of its women-owned status. With a focus on individualized learning experiences, Peacox Child Care is truly a one-of-a-kind facility.

Your Daycare questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on TrustedCare.

How much does daycare cost?

Daycare costs depend on the child’s age group, the type of daycare, and where you live. Infant daycare is typically the most expensive, ranging from $650 to $1,500 per month. Infant daycare requires higher ratios of caregivers to children, which increases costs. Babies require more individualized attention, including diaper changes, feedings, and naps. As the child ages and becomes more independent, this ratio decreases along with daycare costs.

Traditional daycare centers tend to charge higher rates than home-based family daycare centers or co-ops. However, they usually have lower child-to-caregiver ratios, offer a wider range of amenities and activities, and have stricter qualifications for staff. Church-based, YMCA, or other non-profit child care centers offer lower rates, while home-based daycare is typically the cheapest option due to the low overhead costs.

In urban areas with a higher cost of living, daycare costs tend to be higher to cover the cost of higher rent and teacher salaries. Suburban and rural daycare centers have lower overhead costs, which often translates to more affordable daycare.

Is daycare tax deductible?

No, you cannot directly deduct daycare expenses on your federal tax return. However, if you qualify, there's a tax credit designed to assist with daycare costs, known as the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit enables you to claim a percentage of your eligible childcare expenses. It ranges from 20% to 35% of allowable expenses, capping at $3,000 for one qualifying child and $6,000 for two or more qualifying children (applicable to the 2023 tax year). Consult a qualified tax professional to confirm if your eligibility.

Can a daycare charge you when they are closed?

Some daycares may charge a reduced fee or no fee at all during certain closures, while others may maintain regular charges. The terms in your daycare contract or agreement should outline whether or not you are charged when they are closed. It's common for daycares to have specific policies regarding fees during closures, such as holidays or other scheduled breaks.

If you're unsure, reach out to the daycare directly to clarify their billing practices during closures.

How do I look up daycare violations?

To look up daycare violations, start by contacting your state’s licensing agency for childcare facilities. You can usually find this information through your state’s Department of Health and Human Services online database.

Another option is to reach out to community resources such as local parenting groups, forums, or social media groups. Other parents may share their experiences or provide information about daycare violations in your area. Finally, consider a visit the daycare center directly and ask for information about any past violations. Daycare centers are often required to make this information accessible to parents.

How do I choose a daycare?

When picking a daycare, trust your instincts and choose a daycare that aligns with your child's needs, your values, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for their development. Follow these additional suggestions to find the best fit for you and your child:

  • Get recommendations from other parents, friends, and pediatricians to start your search.
  • Visit in person to make sure the spaces are clean, safe, and friendly.
  • Ask about caregiver qualifications, such as CPR training, early childhood education background, and experience with children of a similar age.
  • Understand the daycare's approach to early education, discipline, feeding, and soothing methods.
  • Choose a daycare that is licensed and accredited to meet government-set health and safety standards.
  • Check if parents are encouraged to participate in the program and if there are opportunities for parental engagement.
  • Contact current and former clients for feedback on their experiences with the daycare.
  • Consider making unannounced visits to get a true sense of the daycare's daily operations
  • Look for a daycare with a suitable curriculum, flexible schedules, and activities that fit your preferences.
  • Visit the daycare with your child and see how they react to the space, teachers, and other children.
  • Secure a spot on the waiting list as early as possible, especially for sought-after infant programs.

What questions should I ask when evaluating potential daycare centers?

Gather as much information as you can to find the daycare that best fits your family’s needs. Be prepared with a list of questions when visiting daycares, including:

  • Is your daycare licensed and accredited to meet safety standards?
  • Are teachers credentialed and trained in CPR/First Aid?
  • What are the class sizes and student-teacher ratios for each age group?
  • What are the daycare's hours of operation and rates?
  • How does the daycare handle discipline?
  • Will the daycare assist with potty training?
  • How much time do children spend in free-play and outdoors?
  • Are meals and snacks provided by the daycare?
  • How are food allergies handled by the daycare?
  • What enrichment programs and activities are available?

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