The Best Daycare Centers in Lanark Village, FL
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Lanark Village. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Lanark Village
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in nearby Carrabelle offers a premier early childhood education program with FLEX Learning Program curriculum that balances academic learning with creative play. Features include state-of-the-art security systems, keypad entry, and comprehensive safety protocols. Highly qualified teachers with early childhood education degrees provide individualized attention in bright, modern classrooms. The program emphasizes STEAM learning, foreign language exposure, and character development. Facilities include age-appropriate playgrounds, dedicated art and music areas, and nutritionally balanced meal programs. Parents praise the consistent communication through daily reports and the school's commitment to each child's developmental progress.
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Carrabelle Christian Academy
Independent
Carrabelle Christian Academy provides a faith-based early education program serving the Lanark Village area with a comprehensive curriculum that integrates biblical principles with academic excellence. The center features small class sizes with low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention. Their program includes phonics-based reading instruction, hands-on math activities, and character development lessons. Safety features include secured entry systems, comprehensive background checks for all staff, and regular safety drills. The facility includes age-separated playgrounds, dedicated nap rooms, and bright learning spaces. Parents consistently highlight the nurturing environment, experienced teaching staff, and strong sense of community.
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Little Lambs Learning Center
Independent
Little Lambs Learning Center in Eastpoint serves the greater Franklin County area including Lanark Village with a play-based learning approach that fosters social, emotional, and academic development. The center employs certified early childhood educators who create individualized learning plans for each child. Curriculum focuses on literacy development, mathematical thinking, and social skills through structured play and hands-on activities. Safety features include comprehensive monitoring systems, strict pick-up protocols, and certified CPR/first aid trained staff. The facility includes multiple outdoor play areas, dedicated art and music spaces, and developmentally appropriate learning materials. Parents appreciate the warm, family-like atmosphere and the center's commitment to open communication and parent involvement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Lanark Village, FL
What are the licensing requirements for daycare providers in Lanark Village, Florida, and how can I verify a facility is compliant?
In Lanark Village, as in all of Florida, childcare facilities must be licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). This includes family daycare homes (serving up to 10 children) and childcare centers. Licensing ensures providers meet standards for staff-to-child ratios, background screenings, health and safety protocols, and staff training. You can verify a provider's license status, view inspection reports, and check for any disciplinary history for free on the DCF's official "Child Care Facility Search" website. Given Lanark Village's smaller size, many parents also consider licensed providers in nearby Carrabelle or Apalachicola, which can be checked through the same state database.
Given Lanark Village's small, coastal community size, what types of childcare options are typically available, and are waitlists common?
Lanark Village offers a mix of licensed family daycare homes and potentially smaller, home-based programs, given its residential nature. There are no large commercial childcare chains in the immediate village. Due to the limited number of providers, waitlists can be common, especially for infant and toddler care. Many families in the area also explore options in the larger neighboring town of Carrabelle (about 5 miles away), which may have a childcare center or additional family homes. It's advisable to begin your search and make inquiries at least 3-6 months before you need care. Networking through local community groups or the Franklin County School District can also help uncover less-advertised in-home providers.
What is the average cost for full-time daycare for a toddler in Lanark Village, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In the Lanark Village area, full-time daycare for a toddler in a licensed family home typically ranges from $125 to $175 per week. Costs may be slightly higher at a center in Carrabelle. These rates are generally lower than state urban averages but reflect the local economy. For financial assistance, Florida's School Readiness Program is the primary resource, administered locally by the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region (ELCBB). Eligibility is based on family income, work/school status, and other factors. You must apply through the ELCBB, and if approved, they provide a subsidy that can be used with participating providers in Franklin County, including those in and around Lanark Village.
How do local daycare providers handle emergency preparedness for weather events common to Florida's Forgotten Coast, like hurricanes?
Childcare providers in Lanark Village are required by Florida DCF licensing to have a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan. Given the area's vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms, reputable providers will have specific protocols for evacuation, shelter-in-place, communication with parents, and post-storm recovery. You should ask any provider directly about their plan: where they evacuate to if ordered, how they ensure food/water/power for extended periods, and how they will notify you during a storm. Many providers coordinate with Franklin County Emergency Management. It's crucial to ensure your provider's plan aligns with your family's own hurricane preparedness strategy.
Are there any daycare or preschool programs in Lanark Village that incorporate outdoor or nature-based learning, taking advantage of the coastal environment?
While formal, licensed "nature preschools" are rare in this specific area, many home-based providers and smaller programs in Lanark Village and surrounding Franklin County naturally incorporate the coastal environment into daily activities. This might include supervised outdoor play, nature walks, simple beachcombing (with strict safety protocols), and learning about local wildlife and ecosystems. When touring a provider, ask about their daily schedule and philosophy on outdoor time. The nearby Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) also occasionally offers educational programs that local providers may utilize. For a more structured curriculum, some parents look for VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) programs in Carrabelle that may have outdoor learning components.