Find a daycare in Gary, IN

Find daycares in Gary, IN

Find daycares in Gary, IN

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Find daycares in Gary, IN

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

Parents agree: these Gary daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Healthy Start Daycare

Healthy Start Daycare

14+ years in business
Serves Gary, IN
Healthy Start Daycare, situated in Chicago, IL and its surrounding areas, is a home-based facility that offers daycare, early learning, and before and after school programs for young children. The center utilizes age-appropriate books, puzzles, and games to foster interactive learning. Small group sessions are organized to promote peer interactions and communication. They also engage children in science experiments, stimulating exploration and discovery. The daycare also celebrates cultural traditions during holidays. Meals and snacks are provided for all attendees.
Asia Daycare

Asia Daycare

13+ years in business
Serves Gary, IN
Welcome to Asia Daycare, where your child's growth and happiness are our top priorities. Situated in the heart of Gary, IN, we provide a nurturing environment that fosters social and educational development. Our dedicated team is committed to creating a safe and engaging space for your little ones to explore, learn, and thrive. With a focus on personalized care, we ensure that each child receives the attention and support they need to flourish. Experience peace of mind knowing your child is in trusted hands at Asia Daycare.
Kidzone Early Learning Center

Kidzone Early Learning Center

Serves Gary, IN
Kidzone Early Learning Center, located in Crown Point, Indiana, is a state licensed childcare center passionate about nurturing children through educational fun. The experienced staff, all CPR certified with lead teachers holding early childhood degrees, offer interactive curriculum tailored to different age groups, fostering manners, language, independence, and problem-solving. They use a unique childcare app for seamless communication with parents and tuition payments. As a CCDF participant, Kidzone provides quality care at competitive rates, aiming to be the best childcare provider in the area.
Venu Dare Care

Venu Dare Care

Serves Gary, IN
Welcome to Venu Daycare, where we prioritize a nurturing and safe environment for your child's early development. Located in Gary, Indiana, our daycare center is dedicated to providing personalized care and attention, ensuring your little ones thrive. Our focus is on fostering a supportive atmosphere where children can explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. With no current employee count, we are committed to maintaining a low child-to-caregiver ratio, ensuring each child receives the individual attention they deserve. Join us at Venu Daycare, where your child's journey begins.
Tender Love Daycare

Tender Love Daycare

21+ years in business
Serves Gary, IN
Welcome to Tender Love Daycare, where we provide a nurturing and safe environment for your child in Dolton, IL. We are committed to offering personalized care and attention, ensuring that every child's unique needs are met. Our small, intimate setting allows us to focus on fostering strong social and educational foundations from an early age. With a dedication to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, Tender Love Daycare is your partner in nurturing your child's growth and development. Join us in building a brighter future for your little ones.
Discovery Academy 2

Discovery Academy 2

20+ years in business
Serves Gary, IN
Welcome to Discovery Academy 2, where we are dedicated to nurturing your child's development in a safe, engaging environment. Located in the heart of Chicago, our intimate setting allows our experienced team to provide personalized care and attention to each child. We emphasize a holistic approach that fosters both educational and social growth, ensuring your child thrives in their early years. Discover the difference a passionate, dedicated team can make at Discovery Academy 2, where your child's journey begins.
Little Fireflies Academy

Little Fireflies Academy

7+ years in business
Serves Gary, IN
Founded in 2018, Little Fireflies Academy is a trusted childcare provider in Whiting, Indiana, and surrounding areas. Catering to children from 3 months to 12 years old, the academy offers both full and part-time early childhood experiences. Their nature-based program encourages the development of social-emotional and cognitive skills, fostering a strong sense of self in each child. Infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children all benefit from their hands-on approach, with summer programs available for school-age children up to age ten. Little Fireflies Academy is committed to nurturing the potential in every child.
Building With Care

Building With Care

Serves Gary, IN
Building With Care, located in Gary, Indiana, and the surrounding areas, stands as a licensed home daycare. With the capacity to cater to up to 12 children, they focus on providing quality child care and stimulating play experiences. Reach out to inquire about their services, availability, and pricing.
Wonders Years Learning Center

Wonders Years Learning Center

Serves Gary, IN
Wonder Years Learning Center, founded in 2008, serves the communities of Munster Indiana. Voted as the region's best childcare center, it offers services from infancy to kindergarten. With a team of 49 dedicated employees, including professionally trained teachers, it strives to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. State-certified and licensed, Wonder Years Learning Center offers nutritious meals and boasts a state-of-the-art facility and outdoor playground. Making a difference throughout a child's life is their utmost priority.
Aj's Angels

Aj's Angels

Serves Gary, IN
Aj's Angels, based in Hammond, IN and servicing surrounding areas, specializes in home-based childcare. Founded on a belief in the importance of holistic child development, Aj's Angels provides an array of age-appropriate curricula. This includes play-based activities, arts and crafts, dramatic play areas, as well as educational toys and books. They even offer field trips and small outings, creating a well-rounded, engaging environment for your child's growth.

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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