Find a daycare in Fort Wayne, IN

Find daycares in Fort Wayne, IN

Find daycares in Fort Wayne, IN

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Find daycares in Fort Wayne, IN

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in Fort Wayne, IN

Parents agree: these Fort Wayne daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Carepointe Academy

Carepointe Academy

21+ years in business
Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Founded in 2004, Carepointe Academy is a distinguished Christian childcare provider in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offering two locations: Southwest Fort Wayne and Waynedale. The academy is dedicated to delivering high-quality childcare and early education programs. They provide a range of services, including preschool, childcare, and before and after-school care. Carepointe Academy prides itself on nurturing the physical, social, and emotional development of children while instilling Christian values. Their curriculum is enriched by a variety of learning activities aimed at fostering an array of skills from muscle development to reading.
Unique Cherubs Childcare

Unique Cherubs Childcare

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Unique Cherubs Childcare, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a licensed, home-based childcare program that serves children from 1 to 12 years old. With enriched curriculum in the EACS school district, it is also a Paths to Quality Level 3 program. The company is CPR & First Aid certified and offers a CACFP meal program, providing meals and snacks. The provision of before & after school care, as well as the On My Way Pre-K program, sets it apart. Notably, Unique Cherubs Childcare is proud to be Black-owned and women-owned.
Pine Hills Learning Place

Pine Hills Learning Place

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Pine Hills Learning Place, founded in 2005, is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and serves the surrounding areas. It's a trusted institution, voted the #1 in childcare for a decade, and has been nurturing children for over 40 years. They offer a comprehensive range of services from full-day infant and toddler care to preschool programs and before-and-after school care. Their curriculum is faith-based, focused on providing high-quality education in a safe, loving, and stimulating environment designed to foster an appetite for learning.
Finding Me Now Learning Center - Fort Wayne

Finding Me Now Learning Center - Fort Wayne

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Founded in 2001, Finding Me Now is a distinguished early childhood education provider in Fort Wayne, IN and surrounding areas. The center embraces a research-based curriculum, The Creative Curriculum®, promoting exploration and engaging activities for holistic child development. They are committed to caring for children in a way that satisfies parents and aligns with their faith, aiming to nurture each child's unique abilities. Finding Me Now strives to balance group learning with individualized experiences, using advanced technology-based assessment tools. They are nationally accredited by NAEYC and accept CCDF.
Good Shepherd Preschool

Good Shepherd Preschool

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Good Shepherd Preschool, founded in 1964, serves Fort Wayne, Indiana, and surrounding areas. This Christian-based preschool is part of the United Methodist Church's Children Ministry and provides age-appropriate programs for infants and toddlers. The school also offers music classes, extended daycare, and summer clubs. It's a community that not only focuses on the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development of the child but also keeps parents informed of any concerns regarding their children.
Sonshine Sprouts

Sonshine Sprouts

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Sonshine Sprouts, based in Fort Wayne, IN, and extending to the surrounding areas, is a home-based childcare program emphasizing a Christian environment. The company offers a comprehensive curriculum including preschool learning activities. Notably, they also cater to children with special needs. Furthermore, meals are provided, ensuring a holistic approach to childcare.
Anthony Wayne Preschool And Daycare

Anthony Wayne Preschool And Daycare

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Founded in 1970, Anthony Wayne Preschool and Daycare is a faith-based educational institution serving the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. This daycare offers children a Christian environment where they can grow spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially. The team of well-equipped teachers inspire curiosity and imagination within their students, preparing them for future educational experiences. At Anthony Wayne Preschool and Daycare, the focus is on fostering each child's unique qualities while building a firm foundation in both faith and education.
Cornerstone Daycare Learning

Cornerstone Daycare Learning

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Founded in 2005, Cornerstone Daycare Learning Center is a state-licensed educational childcare facility located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Catering to children from toddler age up to thirteen, the center offers full-time care and preschool classes in a safe, nurturing, and fun learning environment. With a focus on Christian values and education, children are engaged in a balanced mix of educational, recreational, and faith-based activities. Over the years, Cornerstone has earned a reputation for providing quality, affordable childcare.
YMCA Child Care Services

YMCA Child Care Services

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Founded in 1900, YMCA Child Care Services in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers quality school-age child care programs. As the largest childcare provider in Allen County, they provide morning and afternoon programs, including snacks, homework assistance, and structured activities. They also feature Break Camps on scheduled days off during the school year, along with drop-in School Delay and Day Out programs. YMCA Child Care Services is a community-focused nonprofit, committed to providing recreational programs and services for all ages.
Emmanuel Child Care Ministries

Emmanuel Child Care Ministries

Serves Fort Wayne, IN
Emmanuel Childcare Ministries, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a Christian childcare center and preschool renowned for its high-quality nurturing environment. They take pride in providing educational experiences and care for infants to school-aged children. Activities encompass painting, art, music, outdoor play, field trips, and Bible stories. Their unique approach to learning involves games, books, crafts, and circle time. They also offer valuable before and after school care services for school-aged children.

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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