Find a daycare in Kalamazoo, MI

Find daycares in Kalamazoo, MI

Find daycares in Kalamazoo, MI

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Find daycares in Kalamazoo, MI

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in Kalamazoo, MI

Parents agree: these Kalamazoo daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Hsrley Oele

Hsrley Oele

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
I believe I would be a great fit for this babysitting position for several reasons. First, the job is conveniently located near me, which means I can be reliable and punctual. More importantly, I bring two years of hands-on experience from working in a daycare, where I served as the acting lead teacher. In that role, I was responsible for implementing lesson plans, conducting child observations, and leading daily routines such as circle time, meals, and nap time. I’m passionate about creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where children can feel comfortable and thrive. My background has taught me how to balance fun and structure,
The Discovery Center

The Discovery Center

49+ years in business
Serves Kalamazoo, MI
The Discovery Center, established in 1976 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a non-profit preschool and childcare center dedicated to providing high-quality programs for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years. They adopt a hands-on approach to education, encouraging children to learn by doing and make their own choices. They offer a range of activities, including sensory play, cooking, art projects, and early literacy skill development. The center provides a homely atmosphere with a vast outdoor play space and maintains a low teacher to child ratio for personalized attention.
Curious Kids Childcare/Preschool

Curious Kids Childcare/Preschool

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Curious Kids, founded in 1986 and based in Portage, Michigan, provides comprehensive childcare and early learning programs for young children in the community. They utilize a Creative Curriculum, focusing on growth and development through arts & crafts, dramatic play, sensory exploration, and outdoor activities. Additionally, Curious Kids offers extended care services for school-age children, delivering age-appropriate activities to enhance social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. All programs include meals and snacks.
First Care Preschool And Daycare

First Care Preschool And Daycare

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Founded in 1994, First Care Preschool and Daycare is a trusted child care center located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Affiliated with the Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, it offers age-appropriate learning to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, with a focus on preparing young learners for elementary school. The curriculum includes lessons in math, science, art, and literacy, and features activities like outdoor play, yoga, group work, crafts, and socialization. Scholarships are also available.
Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center

Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) serves students in Young Fives, Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). The organization of the school accommodates the developmental needs of young children and provides for the continuous progress of all students.
Indian Prairie Peep Gsrp

Indian Prairie Peep Gsrp

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Founded in Kalamazoo, MI, Indian Prairie Peep Gsrp is a half-day preschool program that offers both morning and afternoon sessions for children prior to their elementary schooling. They provide a balanced daily schedule, engaging children with activities such as circle time, storytime, puzzles, and outdoor play. The school takes an interactive approach to learning, introducing math through hands-on activities, and promoting literacy skills through rhyming, clapping syllables, and alphabet identification. Convenient transportation and meal services are also available.
Looking Glass Preschool & Child Care

Looking Glass Preschool & Child Care

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Looking Glass Preschool & Child Care, founded in 1994, is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan and serves the surrounding areas. They offer play-based childcare for infants through school-aged children using the Creative Curriculum. Children enjoy a variety of hands-on experiences, including art, outdoor time, learning games, and field trips. The center's mission is to discover each child's inner strength and beauty and build their success through love, respect, and diverse learning methods.
A Touch Of Home Child Care

A Touch Of Home Child Care

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
A Touch of Home Childcare, founded in 2016, serves Portage, Michigan and surrounding areas. This care center caters to the needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. Their program uses Creative Curriculum, encompassing reading, handwriting, basic math, and science experiments. Activities range from large group time and storytime to music and sensory activities, ensuring a balanced development. They also offer indoor/outdoor free play to foster physical growth. The center is committed to providing a nurturing environment that promotes social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through hands-on experiences.
Little Sprouts

Little Sprouts

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Little Sprouts, located in Portage, MI, is an exceptional in-home childcare service. They focus on the social, cognitive, and physical development of children through both indoor and outdoor playtime. They utilize an engaging age-appropriate curriculum, the Mother Goose preschool curriculum, to stimulate the child's interest and learning. The business also takes care of children's nutritional needs by providing meals and snacks.
Lakelands Creative Beginnings

Lakelands Creative Beginnings

Serves Kalamazoo, MI
Lakeland Creative Beginnings, located in Vicksburg, Michigan, is a licensed child care provider and a Christian preschool. They offer a variety of activities such as yoga, outdoor play, field trips, and an educational curriculum that includes Bible stories. They cater to children aged 33 months (and toilet trained) to 12 years. They also offer before and after school care to school-aged children, as well as a summer care program.

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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