Find a daycare in Columbus, OH

Find daycares in Columbus, OH

Find daycares in Columbus, OH

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Find daycares in Columbus, OH

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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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

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.
Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC

Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC

Serves Columbus, OH
Sister Sister Childcare First Steps LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio, is a licensed daycare center that offers superior care and educational experiences. Conveniently located in Cumberland Ridge, the facility is dedicated to ensuring the best for your children. Reach out to Sister Sister Childcare First Steps for detailed information about prices and availability.
Kiddie Academy Of Westerville

Kiddie Academy Of Westerville

44+ years in business
Serves Columbus, OH
Established in 2017, Kiddie Academy of Westerville serves the Westerville, Ohio area with a focus on fostering a nurturing, educational environment. With an emphasis on their Life Essentials curriculum and purposeful play, they offer weekly assessments to track children's growth and development. From infant and toddler care to kindergarten readiness, Kiddie Academy's highly trained teachers strive to build a strong educational foundation for children, making it a trusted educational daycare in the community.
Primrose School Of Grandview

Primrose School Of Grandview

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.
BungalowBranch Childcare

BungalowBranch Childcare

17+ years in business
Serves Columbus, OH
BungalowBranch, founded in 2008 and based in Bexley, Ohio, is the only in-home child care franchise, created by families for families. As a company, they focus on providing a nurturing, safe, and flexible home setting for your child. BungalowBranch is committed to supporting families by offering convenient scheduling options, an enriching environment, and ethical business practices. The company was established by Kelley Ebert, a former nanny and preschool music teacher, who aimed to create a home away from home for children that is flexible, educational and welcoming.
St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center

St. John Paul II Early Childhood Education Center

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.
Cherry Creek KinderCare

Cherry Creek KinderCare

56+ years in business
Serves Columbus, OH
Cherry Creek KinderCare, founded in 1969 and based in Columbus, Ohio, is a nationally accredited early education program. For over 50 years, it has offered a safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, explore, and discover. With a wide range of programs for infants to school-age children, KinderCare focuses on promoting discovery while preparing children for academic success. The center's play-based curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning and develop critical thinking and social skills. They offer financial support to eligible families, ensuring their quality care is accessible.
Boulevard Preschool

Boulevard Preschool

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.
Norton Road KinderCare

Norton Road KinderCare

Serves Columbus, OH
Norton Road KinderCare, founded in 1969, is a nationally accredited early education program based in Galloway, Ohio, and its surrounding areas. This facility offers a range of services from infant programs to after-school and summer programs. Their curriculum, designed for group and individual activities, promotes creativity, exploration, and early academics. KinderCare aims to cultivate a love of learning in each child while preparing them for future success. Financial support is also available.
Halo Academy

Halo Academy

Serves Columbus, OH
Founded in 2008, Halo Academy LLC in Columbus, Ohio, is committed to providing quality childcare services. They are dedicated to unlocking children's love for education, exploration, and discovery. From infants to preschool-aged children, Halo Academy offers a safe, nurturing environment that enhances children's academic performance, physical abilities, and social skills. They offer a variety of stimulating activities and materials that encourage children to learn through play. Operating Monday through Friday, Halo Academy is your trusted partner in early child development.

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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