Find a daycare in San Marcos, TX

Find daycares in San Marcos, TX

Find daycares in San Marcos, TX

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Find daycares in San Marcos, TX

Confirm your location to see the best daycares near you.
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Top 10 daycares in San Marcos, TX

Parents agree: these San Marcos daycares are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Little Britches

Little Britches

25+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Founded in 2000, Second Step School is a reputable early childhood program located in Martindale, Texas. We offer quality care and learning opportunities for 100 children. The center operates Monday- Friday, 7am to 6pm. We offer care for infants through school-age children. Little Britches Academy focuses on fostering creativity, includes language development , free play, math lessons, outdoor time, and science experiments. We provide breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Director: Wanda King Assistant: Penelope Lucio
Guzman Group Day Care Home

Guzman Group Day Care Home

20+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Founded in 2005, Guzman Group Day Care Home is a reputable licensed home daycare located in San Marcos, TX. Serving the local and surrounding areas, they offer child care services in a group environment for up to 12 children. Our goal to serve treating, safe, and nutrition for the community. Our childcare program, which follows the Frog Street curriculum using English, Spanish, Sign language. Meal are provided, breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Our program will work with parent's and Guardian's.
Diana V. Milicia

Diana V. Milicia

12+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Diana V. Milicia, located in Kyle, TX and serving the surrounding areas, offers a registered home daycare service. With capacity for up to 11 children, they provide both care and educational experiences. Parents are encouraged to inquire about prices and availability. Diana V. Milicia is well-regarded for their commitment to quality childcare and education.
Blessings Learning Center

Blessings Learning Center

5+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Located in San Marcos, Texas and serving the surrounding areas, Blessings Learning Center is a Christian institution committed to fostering child development in a nurturing and supportive environment. The center integrates math, science, language, creative arts, and social studies into its curriculum to prepare young learners for higher education settings. With a daily routine featuring music, movement, art, and dramatic play, Blessings Learning Center supports social, emotional, and cognitive development through age-appropriate activities and hands-on experiences.
Carpenter Hill Early Learning Center

Carpenter Hill Early Learning Center

Serves San Marcos, TX
Carpenter Hill Early Learning Center, also known as Hays Consolidated ISD Early Learning Center, is located in Buda, Texas, and serves the surrounding areas. This licensed preschool center offers quality childcare and pre-kindergarten programs to children and grandchildren of Hays Independent School District employees. Their comprehensive curriculum includes engaging learning experiences in science, math, literacy, and the arts. The center focuses on group and individual play, as well as kindergarten readiness, ensuring each child is prepared for their educational journey.
Leah's Lovable Care

Leah's Lovable Care

3+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Hi! My name is Leah Hynum and I’m 16 years old. I’m trying to get a jump start in life and begin my journey into adulthood. I’d love to babysit your children, pet sit, or clean houses!
Over The Rainbow

Over The Rainbow

7+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Alicia Garcia, based in San Marcos, TX, offers a registered home daycare service in the Westover area. Catering to both small and large groups, up to 24 children, her focus is to provide quality child care and interactive play experiences. Alicia ensures a safe, nurturing environment for all children under her care. For further inquiries on availability and pricing, feel free to contact her directly.
The Learning Experience

The Learning Experience

8+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
Founded in 1980, The Learning Experience in Buda, Texas, is more than just a daycare center. This nationally accredited early education academy caters to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children, offering a joyful, engaging, and secure environment where they can learn, play, and grow. The center uses the L.E.A.P. curriculum to enhance learning through healthy life skills, physical activities, and core academic skills. This approach results in 9 out of 10 students reading by kindergarten. The Learning Experience also provides before and after school care, making it a reliable partner in your child's early education journey.
Wonderland School

Wonderland School

Serves San Marcos, TX
Founded in 1965, Wonderland School, located in San Marcos, TX, is a state-approved, privately-owned institution established by Mrs. Shirley Fife. The school offers a comprehensive academic program that includes Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies, Creative Writing, Art, and Computer Technology. Ensuring a well-rounded experience, students also enjoy activities like Spanish, art, sports, and summer enrichment activities. The school operates from Monday to Friday and can accommodate up to 110 students.
First Step INC

First Step INC

30+ years in business
Serves San Marcos, TX
First Step Inc, founded in 1995 and located in San Marcos, Texas, offers comprehensive childcare services for children aged 4 weeks to 12 years. WE also have a Preschool 3's class and a Preschool 4/5's class which teaches Kindergarten Readiness. Known for its age-appropriate curriculum, the school provides a blend of activities, including Storytime, reading, music, creative play, and physical activities. We also teach self-help skills, manners and respect for others. We promote a family atmosphere where we are an extension from the family home environment. Enrichment comes from extended activities and specialist visits. The center also offers

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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