The Best Daycare Centers in North Stonington, CT
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in North Stonington. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in North Stonington
The Children's Tree Montessori School
Independent Montessori School
The Children's Tree Montessori School is a highly-regarded AMI-recognized Montessori program serving infants through elementary ages. The school features authentic Montessori classrooms with certified Montessori teachers, mixed-age groupings, and individualized learning plans. Their curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, practical life skills, and natural development in a peaceful, child-centered environment. The campus includes beautiful outdoor learning spaces, gardens, and nature trails. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing atmosphere, qualified staff, and the remarkable developmental progress children make. The school maintains excellent teacher-to-child ratios and emphasizes community involvement.
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Little Learners Child Development Center
Independent Childcare Center
Little Learners Child Development Center offers a comprehensive early childhood program with a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum. The center features state-licensed teachers with degrees in early childhood education, modern security systems including keypad entry, and age-appropriate learning environments. Their program includes daily structured learning activities, outdoor play, music, and art. The center is known for its strong communication with parents through daily reports and a dedicated parent portal. Facilities include separate playgrounds for different age groups, indoor gross motor spaces, and well-equipped classrooms with educational technology. The center emphasizes social-emotional development and school readiness.
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Kiddie Academy of Westerly
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Westerly, located just minutes from North Stonington, is part of a nationally recognized educational childcare chain with a strong curriculum called Life Essentials®. The academy features degreed teachers, advanced security systems including live streaming for parents, and technology-enhanced learning environments. Their comprehensive program includes character education, STEM activities, literacy development, and physical fitness. The modern facility includes secure outdoor playgrounds, bright classrooms with natural light, and dedicated spaces for different age groups. Parents consistently praise the professional staff, clean facilities, and the academic preparation children receive. The center serves many families from the North Stonington area and offers flexible scheduling options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in North Stonington, CT
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool for an infant or toddler in North Stonington, CT?
In North Stonington and the surrounding Southeastern Connecticut region, full-time daycare costs are moderately high, reflecting both the quality of care and the operational costs in a more rural/suburban setting. For an infant (under 18 months), parents can expect to pay between $1,200 and $1,600 per month for a licensed center. For toddlers (18 months to 3 years), costs typically range from $1,000 to $1,400 per month. Home-based family childcare programs in North Stonington may offer slightly lower rates, often between $800 and $1,200 monthly. It's important to note that these are baseline figures; specialized programs, extended hours, or those with particular educational philosophies may charge more. Connecticut offers financial assistance through the Care 4 Kids subsidy program for eligible families, which can significantly offset these costs.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare provider in North Stonington?
All licensed childcare providers in North Stonington are regulated by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC). The most reliable way to verify licensing and review compliance history is to use the OEC's online "Look Up a License" portal. You can search by program name, town, or license number. This public record will show the provider's current license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious licensing violations or corrective action plans from recent inspections. For a more personal touch, you can also contact the OEC's regional licensing office that oversees New London County. Always ask any provider you visit for their official OEC license number and feel empowered to check it yourself as a critical step in your vetting process.
Are there any state-licensed childcare centers or preschools in North Stonington that offer extended hours for parents with non-traditional work schedules?
Finding extended-hour care in a smaller town like North Stonington can be challenging, but options do exist. While most traditional preschools operate on a 6-8 hour daytime schedule, some licensed family childcare homes may offer more flexible hours, including early openings (before 7:00 AM) or late closings (after 6:00 PM), to accommodate commute times to nearby employers like Electric Boat in Groton or Foxwoods Resort Casino. It is less common to find large centers with late-night or weekend hours locally. Parents often need to look at providers in neighboring towns like Westerly, RI, or Groton for more shift-work-friendly center-based options. Your best strategy is to explicitly ask about hours and potential flexibility during your initial inquiries with providers in North Stonington.
What is the typical waitlist situation for infant daycare spots in North Stonington, and when should I start looking?
Due to limited slots and strict infant-to-staff ratios, waitlists for infant care (children under 18 months) in North Stonington are common and can be lengthy. It is strongly advised to begin your search and get on waitlists as early as your second trimester of pregnancy, or at least 6-9 months before your needed start date. Many popular local centers and highly-regarded family childcare providers maintain waitlists of 6 to 12 months for infants. When contacting providers, ask specific questions: their current waitlist length, if there's a fee to be on the list, how often they update families, and if they give priority to siblings of current enrollees. Proactivity is key in this market.
Beyond basic daycare, what types of early childhood education programs are available for preschoolers in North Stonington?
North Stonington offers several options for preschool-aged children (3-5 years old). The town's public school system, North Stonington Elementary School, typically runs a state-funded preschool program for 3 and 4-year-olds, which may have eligibility requirements or a lottery system. There are also private, licensed preschools that often follow structured curricula like Montessori, play-based, or faith-based models. These programs usually run for 2.5 to 6 hours per day, a few days a week, contrasting with all-day daycare. Additionally, many local family childcare providers incorporate preschool learning into their daily schedules for this age group. Exploring these options allows you to choose between a more academic preschool setting or a care-focused environment with integrated learning.
Nearby Cities
Explore daycare options in cities near North Stonington: