Find a daycare in Columbus, OH

Find daycares in Columbus, OH

Find daycares in Columbus, OH

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Find daycares in Columbus, OH

Share a few details and we'll show you the best daycares in your area.
Zip code

Age of child(ren)

Top 10 daycares in Columbus, OH

Parents agree: these Columbus daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Children First Inc

Children First Inc

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 1984, Children First Inc is a state-licensed daycare facility serving Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas. They offer full-time child care and early education programs designed to accommodate the unique needs of children from infancy to school age. With a capacity for 137 students, Children First Inc is committed to providing quality care and educational experiences to help foster children's growth and development.
Morning Star Learning Academy LLC

Morning Star Learning Academy LLC

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Morning Stars Learning Center II, located in Columbus, OH, provides educational experiences and kindergarten readiness programs for young learners. This licensed preschool center fosters a sense of community and family, offering a healthy environment away from home. Reach out to inquire about prices and availability.
Key Early Learning Center

Key Early Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Key Early Learning Center, located in Columbus, Ohio and serving the surrounding areas, is a licensed preschool center providing quality child care and early education curriculum. With a prominent location at 631 Harrisburg Pike in Hilltop, Columbus, they ensure a nurturing environment for your child's early learning. Meals are also provided, making it a comprehensive solution for your child's early education needs.
Elite Academy Center

Elite Academy Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Elite Academy Center, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a reputable international daycare center dedicated to child education and family solutions. They strive to inspire lifelong learning and make a significant impact on every child's life. With a strong commitment to excellence, Elite Academy Center is your go-to solution for superior childcare in Columbus and the surrounding areas.
Kare-A-Lot Preschool

Kare-A-Lot Preschool

New on TrustedCare
41+ years in business
Serves Columbus, OH
Established in 1984, Kare-A-Lot is a state-licensed childcare center situated in Columbus, Ohio. This independently owned center boasts over 10,000 square feet of space designed to stimulate children's cognitive, language, social-emotional, and physical development through various learning tools and educational toys. It offers a balanced daily schedule of academics, physical activities, and rest periods, all tailored to suit each child's individual needs. Kare-A-Lot provides care for children aged 6 weeks to 9 years, operating from Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., all year round.
Gingerbread House Daycare

Gingerbread House Daycare

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 1960, Gingerbread House Daycare is located in Columbus, OH, serving the surrounding areas with exceptional childcare in a group environment. The facility offers a clean, welcoming environment that nurtures children's growth through educational experiences, sensory and motor learning activities. With a focus on play, learning, and inclusivity, the daycare provides a wide variety of activities, including songs, stories, and both outdoor and indoor play.
My Little World Academy, LLC

My Little World Academy, LLC

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
My Little World Academy, LLC, located in Columbus, Ohio, is your trusted partner in early childhood education. They offer a safe and nourishing environment, promoting individual development through play-based learning activities. As a licensed preschool center, they provide an enriching curriculum, ensuring your child's development is on track. Reach out to My Little World Academy, LLC to discover more about their available slots and pricing.
Humble Beginnings Childcare

Humble Beginnings Childcare

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Humble Beginnings Childcare is a licensed preschool center serving Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding areas. Providing both child care and an early education curriculum, the center is conveniently located at 1548 Lockbourne Rd in South Columbus. For further information about their services, prices, and availability, please contact Humble Beginnings Childcare directly.
Laugh N Learn Enrichment Center

Laugh N Learn Enrichment Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Laugh N Learn Enrichment Center LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a licensed daycare facility providing child care in a group environment. Located in South Columbus, the center is accessible for families living in the surrounding areas. They offer a nurturing and enriching environment for children, ensuring their growth and development. To learn about their availability and pricing, potential clients are encouraged to reach out directly.
Boulevard Preschool

Boulevard Preschool

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 2012, Boulevard Preschool, located in Columbus, OH, is a non-profit, church-affiliated early learning center serving the local and surrounding areas. Offering full and part-time programs for pre-kindergarten students, the preschool focuses on the emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of each child. Using a themed-based curriculum, they encourage natural curiosity, language development, and social interaction. The center operates on weekdays and is licensed to accommodate up to 91 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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