Find a daycare in Buffalo, NY

Find daycares in Buffalo, NY

Find daycares in Buffalo, NY

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Find daycares in Buffalo, NY

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in Buffalo, NY

Parents agree: these Buffalo daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Bright Beginnings Childcare & Preschool

Bright Beginnings Childcare & Preschool

Serves Buffalo, NY
Based in Eden, New York, Bright Beginnings Childcare & Preschool is committed to serving children and their families with the utmost care. As a licensed home daycare, Bright Beginnings offers a safe, loving, and stimulating environment that can accommodate up to 16 children, ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years old. The program is designed to present educational concepts that promote quality care, meeting the needs of each child for a bright beginning.
St Benedict School

St Benedict School

Serves Buffalo, NY
St. Benedict School, founded in 1921, is a highly-ranked private educational institution located in Amherst, NY. Offering a quality, values-based education from PreK-3 to 8th Grade, the school's rigorous curriculum integrates STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). K-8 students also have the opportunity to study Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. At St. Benedict's, character development and community service are integral, fostering empathy and compassion in students to make a positive impact on others' lives.
Little People’s Park Day Care Center

Little People’s Park Day Care Center

Serves Buffalo, NY
Founded in 1989, Little People's Park Day Care Center, located in Amherst, New York, and serving the surrounding areas, is a dedicated childcare provider. The center is built upon the principle of kindness, inspired by the theory in the book "How Full is Your Bucket," ensuring their care not only benefits the children but also enriches their own lives. Conveniently situated near the Niagara Falls Blvd exit of the I-290, they offer a nurturing group environment for up to 80 children, and are licensed to administer medication.
Kids Kastle

Kids Kastle

19+ years in business
Serves Buffalo, NY
Established in 2008, Kids Kastle Early Learning Center, based in Derby, NY, is a renowned childcare facility. Serving the surrounding areas, the center caters to children aged six weeks to twelve years, fostering their development through a mix of academic skills and motor activities. Recognized for its educational experiences and kindergarten readiness programs, Kids Kastle emphasizes on the importance of socialization and creating a nurturing environment. The center, set in the picturesque Chapel Villa, is ready to accept new enrollments.
Nanny's Nook Quality Daycare Center, Inc.

Nanny's Nook Quality Daycare Center, Inc.

25+ years in business
Serves Buffalo, NY
Nanny's Nook Quality Daycare Center, established in 2000, is a respected childcare provider in Buffalo, New York and the surrounding areas. They offer quality childcare in a nurturing, educational, and enriching environment, demonstrating a commitment to the enrichment, enlightenment, and encouragement of children, families, and the community. Starting as a Group Family Childcare, Nanny's Nook blossomed into a daycare center, never wavering from their core values of respect and responsibility.
Smarty Pants Childcare LLC

Smarty Pants Childcare LLC

Serves Buffalo, NY
Founded in 2012, Smarty Pants Childcare is a dedicated non-profit organization, serving Hamburg, NY, and surrounding areas. They are committed to providing high-quality childcare services for families, with programs for infants, toddlers, pre-K, and kinder-ready children. Additionally, they offer a school-age summer program. Their unique approach focuses on each child's social, emotional, and intellectual development in a secure, loving environment, catering to individual needs. They believe that every child deserves to learn in an environment where their emotions matter, setting them apart in their field.
Children's Center For Success At Family Help Center

Children's Center For Success At Family Help Center

19+ years in business
Serves Buffalo, NY
Founded in 2006, Family Help Center is centrally located in Buffalo, NY, and caters to the surrounding areas. As a full-service daycare, we serve children from six weeks to twelve years old. Our licensed facility at 60 Dingens Street is designed to foster confidence and social skills in children. We emphasize a strong curriculum, professional caregivers, and a nurturing environment for child development. In addition to daycare, we offer school-age and youth group programs, providing recreational and educational activities for children. We’re more than a daycare – we’re a supportive community for your child’s growth.
Ms Michelle's Pre-K Academy

Ms Michelle's Pre-K Academy

13+ years in business
Serves Buffalo, NY
Established in 2012, Ms. Michelle's Pre-K Academy, located in East Amherst, NY, offers nurturing and engaging preschool programs for children aged 2-5. With a focus on small class sizes, individualized lesson plans, and over 35 years of combined teaching experience, the academy ensures every child reaches their fullest potential. The academy is committed to providing a high-quality, affordable education, preparing children both academically and socially for Kindergarten. It's the perfect environment for your children to grow and learn while also having plenty of time to spend with you at home.
Amherst Baby & Childcare Center

Amherst Baby & Childcare Center

Serves Buffalo, NY
Founded in 1996, Amherst Baby & Childcare Center is a trusted provider of childcare services in Amherst and Buffalo, NY, and surrounding areas. Catering to children ages six weeks to five years old, the center focuses on the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of each child through their Infants, Toddlers, and Prekindergarten programs. As a family-owned and operated daycare, it offers a safe and secure environment with a capacity to accommodate up to 95 children.
The Creative Play Learning Center

The Creative Play Learning Center

Serves Buffalo, NY
Founded in 2013, The Creative Play Learning Center is a reputable childcare facility located in Getzville, New York. The center offers quality early childhood education for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. With a capacity of 74, it is conveniently located on Dodge Rd, near the 990. The center is dedicated to fostering a passion for learning through creative and hands-on experiences, while ensuring a nurturing environment with caring staff focused on each child's needs.

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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