The Best Daycare Centers in Navarre, FL
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Navarre. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Navarre
Kiddie Academy of Gulf Breeze
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Gulf Breeze is a highly-regarded educational childcare center serving the Navarre area with their proprietary Life Essentials® curriculum that focuses on character development, literacy, STEM, and creative arts. The center features state-certified teachers with early childhood education credentials, secure entry systems, and comprehensive safety protocols. Their modern facility includes age-appropriate learning environments, outdoor playgrounds, and technology-enhanced classrooms. The academy emphasizes social-emotional development through structured play and project-based learning, with daily communication to parents about their child's progress and activities.
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The Learning Tree Academy
Independent
The Learning Tree Academy is a locally-owned and operated childcare center in Navarre that provides comprehensive early childhood education using a balanced approach of structured learning and creative exploration. Their curriculum incorporates Montessori-inspired elements with traditional preschool fundamentals, focusing on kindergarten readiness. The center features low student-teacher ratios, CPR/first-aid certified staff, and secure facility access. They offer nutritious meal programs, spacious indoor and outdoor play areas, and specialized programs for different age groups including infant sign language and preschool STEM activities.
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Primrose School of Avalon
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Avalon serves the Navarre community with their nationally-recognized Balanced Learning® approach that combines purposeful play with nurturing guidance from degreed teachers. The school features a comprehensive curriculum covering literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and character development. Their secure campus includes age-specific learning environments, interactive technology, and extensive outdoor learning spaces. Primrose emphasizes partnership with families through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and family engagement events. The school maintains rigorous safety standards including secured entry, comprehensive background checks, and emergency preparedness protocols.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Navarre, FL
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool for an infant or toddler in Navarre, Florida?
In Navarre, the cost of childcare can vary significantly based on the type of facility and the age of your child. For a full-time infant (under 1 year), you can expect to pay between $800 to $1,200 per month at a licensed daycare center. For toddlers (ages 1-3), costs typically range from $700 to $1,000 per month. In-home family childcare homes are often slightly less expensive, ranging from $600 to $900 monthly. These rates are generally lower than in larger metropolitan areas like Pensacola or Destin but have been rising. It's important to ask what is included in the tuition, such as meals, snacks, and curriculum materials. Many facilities in Navarre also require an annual registration or supply fee.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a childcare provider in Navarre?
All childcare facilities in Navarre must be licensed or registered with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). The most reliable way to verify a provider's status and review their history is to use the DCF's "Child Care Facility Search" tool online. You can search by the provider's name, city (Navarre), or zip code. This public report will show the facility's license status, capacity, any serious violations from inspections over the past few years, and whether they participate in Florida's voluntary quality rating system, the Gold Seal Quality Care program. We recommend always checking this resource and asking the director for their most recent inspection report during your tour.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Navarre, and how far in advance should I start looking?
Due to Navarre's growth as a family-friendly community and limited number of large centers, waitlists are common, especially for infant rooms. It is strongly advised to begin your search at least 6 to 9 months before you need care, and if you are expecting a baby, to get on lists during your second trimester. Some of the more popular centers in the area have waitlists that can extend 12 months or more for infants. When contacting providers, ask specifically about their waitlist policy: if there's a fee to join, how often you need to check in to stay active, and estimated timelines for your child's age group. Exploring smaller, licensed family childcare homes can sometimes offer more immediate availability.
What are some local resources or programs in Santa Rosa County that can help with childcare costs?
Families in Navarre may be eligible for financial assistance through the School Readiness Program, administered by the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. This state and federally funded program helps low- to moderate-income working families pay for childcare. Eligibility is based on family size, income, and work/school requirements. Additionally, you can check if your chosen provider accepts the Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program, which offers free, part-time educational instruction for all 4-year-olds in Florida, which can be combined with wrap-around daycare hours. The local Child Care Resource and Referral service through the Early Learning Coalition can also provide personalized referrals.
Given Navarre's coastal location and weather, what safety protocols should I look for in a daycare regarding hurricanes and severe weather?
This is a crucial consideration for Navarre parents. A high-quality childcare provider will have a detailed, written emergency preparedness plan that specifically addresses hurricanes, tropical storms, and flooding. When touring facilities, ask: Where is the designated shelter area within the building? What is their communication plan for early closures and evacuations? How are parents notified? Do they have backup power/generators for essential systems? Reputable centers often conduct regular drills. Also, inquire about their policy on closures—many follow the decisions of the Santa Rosa County School District for severe weather closures. Choosing a facility in a non-evacuation or higher-elevation zone within Navarre can also be a factor for year-round peace of mind.
Childcare Insights for Navarre
Finding quality childcare that also has immediate openings can feel like searching for a specific seashell on our beautiful Navarre Beach—you know it’s out there, but it requires some patience and a good strategy. If you’re a parent in Navarre, Florida, typing “daycares near me with openings” into your search bar, you’re not alone. The good news is that with our community’s growth, there are excellent options, though navigating availability requires a proactive approach.
First, understand that in our specific area, childcare openings can be seasonal and highly sought after. With the presence of military families from nearby bases and the general influx of new residents drawn to our coastal lifestyle, spots can fill quickly. This makes timing and persistence your greatest allies. Rather than relying solely on online directories, which may not be updated in real-time, the most effective step is to pick up the phone and call local centers directly. Create a list of providers in the Navarre, Holley, and East Milton areas, and set aside a morning for calls. Be prepared to ask not just about current openings, but also about their waitlist procedures, typical turnover, and if they anticipate any openings in the coming weeks.
When you call, consider what makes a daycare a good fit for Navarre families. Inquire about their hurricane preparedness and closure policies, a practical necessity for our Gulf Coast community. Ask about outdoor play areas and if they incorporate any local elements into learning, perhaps about marine life or our precious dunes. For many parents here, a center’s flexibility can be crucial, especially for those with commutes to Pensacola or Fort Walton Beach. Don’t hesitate to ask about early drop-off or late pick-up options to accommodate that drive along the 98.
While you’re making those calls, also tap into the local networks that make Navarre such a supportive town. The Navarre Mom’s Group on social media can be an invaluable resource for personal recommendations and even leads on in-home daycare openings that may not be widely advertised. Sometimes, a neighbor’s referral is the fastest way to find a trusted provider with an upcoming spot. Additionally, consider reaching out to the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida; they can provide a vetted list of licensed providers in Santa Rosa County and may have information on which centers participate in state assistance programs, which can also influence availability.
Remember, finding an opening is just the first step. Once you identify a potential spot, schedule a tour. Seeing the environment firsthand during a regular day is essential. Notice the children’s engagement, the cleanliness of the facility, and the warmth of the staff. Trust your instincts as a parent—you know what feels right for your child. Securing childcare in Navarre may require a bit of effort, but by combining direct communication with local insight, you can find a nurturing and reliable daycare that gives you peace of mind, allowing you and your little one to enjoy all the joys our wonderful community has to offer.