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.
JUJU Learning Center LLC

JUJU Learning Center LLC

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
JUJU Learning Center LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a Black-owned and women-owned business led by Ms. Rita Simpson. Founded with the purpose of providing structured, quality care for children of all ages, the center specializes in looking after infants through preschoolers, as well as offering after-school care for school-aged children. With its formal environment and specific drop-off and pick-up times, JUJU Learning Center LLC ensures a one-star rated service for its clientele.
Baby Steps Enrichment Center LLC

Baby Steps Enrichment Center LLC

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Baby Steps Enrichment Center LLC, located in Columbus, Ohio, offers a secure, hands-on learning environment for children of all ages. Their certified teachers and enriched curriculum provide personalized care and attention to each child. The center's daily routines include arts and crafts, sensory play, and foundational learning in letters and numbers. This center is not just a childcare provider, but a place where your child can grow and learn every step of the way.
Kings Kids Learning Center

Kings Kids Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 2006, Kings Kids Learning Center is a reputable child care and early childhood education provider situated in Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. As a licensed center, they serve infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. Kings Kids Learning Center offers a variety of services, including educational experiences and kindergarten readiness programs, and operates from Monday to Friday, between 6:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Sunshine Early Learning Center

Sunshine Early Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Sunshine Early Learning Center, located in Columbus, Ohio, is a prominent childcare provider that focuses on the holistic development of children. As a ministry of the First Alliance Church, it fosters spiritual values in a loving Christian environment and provides an individualized curriculum encouraging spiritual, physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. Children enjoy a range of daily activities, from cooking and storytime to music and science, supplemented by field trips and access to an outdoor playground.
St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center

St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 2019, St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center, located in Columbus, Ohio, provides excellent preschool education for older toddlers and pre-kindergarteners. The center focuses on faith development, independence, creativity, and language acquisition through various activities such as arts, crafts, and music. In addition to preschool, they offer extended care and a flexible schedule for working parents. While they are a Catholic institution, children of all faiths are welcome. Conveniently located in the Business District of Downtown Columbus, the center invites all to come and see why it's right for your preschooler.
Primrose School Of Grandview

Primrose School Of Grandview

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Primrose School of Grandview, founded in 2019, is a leader in early education and care in Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas. The school offers child care and preschool programs for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old. Their balanced learning curriculum, inspired by Montessori, Piaget, Gesell, Vygotsky, and the latest child development studies, encourages skill development through creativity, compassion, and resourcefulness. The school provides a safe, nurturing environment with age-appropriate materials and an outdoor play area.
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.
Fundamentals Learning Center

Fundamentals Learning Center

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Established in 1981, Fundamentals Learning Center serves the Columbus, Ohio area with a comprehensive preschool education program. Our focus is on preparing children for kindergarten through activities including art, math, science, active play, group work, and reading. Children enjoy our outdoor play space and benefit from our nutritious meals and snacks. We also offer extended care for school-aged children, including transportation and holiday care.
Gan Ephraim

Gan Ephraim

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Gan Ephraim, located in Columbus, OH, is an Orthodox Jewish program providing preschool education. The program prioritizes Jewish culture, traditions, and values, introducing academics through a Reggio Emilia style curriculum. Children can take part in various activities including reading, drama class, Torah learning, science experiments, and group work. Parents are responsible for providing a kosher snack and lunch for their child each day. Gan Ephraim maintains a strong focus on fostering an enriching, nurturing environment for your child's early learning experience.
Great Minds Learning Academy

Great Minds Learning Academy

New on TrustedCare
Serves Columbus, OH
Great Minds Learning Academy, located in Columbus, Ohio, offers exceptional childcare services for children aged between 6 weeks to 12 years. With an impressive range of programs, including summer activities for school-aged students and before-and-after-school programs, this licensed preschool center ensures quality care and early education. Reach out to Great Minds Learning Academy to inquire about their services, prices, and availability.

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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