The Best Daycare Centers in Wildwood, GA
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Wildwood. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Wildwood
Bright Horizons at Chattanooga
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at Chattanooga is a highly-regarded early education center located approximately 15 miles from Wildwood. The center follows the World at Their Fingertips curriculum, which emphasizes language and literacy, math and science, social-emotional development, and creative expression. Teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and maintain low teacher-to-child ratios. The facility features age-appropriate classrooms, secure entry systems, and outdoor learning environments. Parents consistently praise the center's communication, educational quality, and nurturing environment. The center serves infants through school-age children with flexible scheduling options.
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Primrose School of Hamilton Place
Primrose Schools
Primrose School of Hamilton Place offers a balanced learning approach combining purposeful play with nurturing guidance. The exclusive Balanced Learning curriculum focuses on character development, literacy, mathematics, and science. The school features secure facilities with coded entry systems, certified teachers with early childhood credentials, and age-appropriate learning materials. Parents consistently rate the center highly for its structured curriculum, clean facilities, and experienced staff. The center serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old and is conveniently located near Wildwood with easy access from I-75.
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The Goddard School of Ooltewah
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Ooltewah provides a play-based learning environment with F.L.EX.® (Fun Learning Experience) program that promotes social, emotional, and academic development. The school features secure facilities with keypad entry, highly qualified teachers with early childhood education backgrounds, and comprehensive safety protocols. The curriculum includes STEAM learning, language development, and character education. Parents appreciate the school's communication through daily activity reports and the focus on individualized learning. Located approximately 12 miles from Wildwood, the center serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years old.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Wildwood, GA
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare or preschool in Wildwood, GA, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Wildwood, GA, full-time daycare for an infant typically ranges from $150 to $200 per week, while toddler and preschool programs average $120 to $170 per week. These costs are generally lower than in larger Georgia cities like Atlanta or Chattanooga, TN, which is nearby. For financial assistance, Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program is the primary resource for eligible families. Additionally, some local providers may offer sliding scale fees or sibling discounts. It's also worth checking with the Dade County Family Connection collaborative, which sometimes has information on local scholarships or support networks for working parents in the Wildwood area.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection records for a daycare center or home-based provider in Wildwood?
All licensed childcare providers in Wildwood, GA, are regulated by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). You can verify a provider's license and view their compliance history, including any recent inspections or reports of violations, by using the "Find Child Care" search tool on DECAL's official website. This tool allows you to search by provider name, city, or zip code (30757 for Wildwood). For home-based programs (Family Child Care Learning Homes), ensure they display a current license issued by DECAL. Always visit in person and ask to see their license, and don't hesitate to request references from other local parents.
Are there any nature or outdoor-focused childcare programs in Wildwood, given its proximity to Lookout Mountain and outdoor attractions?
Yes, Wildwood's unique location at the foot of Lookout Mountain and near Cloudland Canyon State Park inspires several providers to incorporate strong outdoor and nature-based learning components. While specific curriculum varies, many local daycares and preschools take advantage of the natural setting with regular outdoor play, nature walks, and garden activities. Some home-based providers, in particular, may offer a more flexible, exploratory outdoor schedule. When touring facilities, ask about their daily outdoor time policy, if they have secured outdoor play areas, and how they incorporate the local environment into learning. This is a distinctive benefit of childcare in this rural, scenic part of Dade County.
What is the average waitlist time for infant care in Wildwood, and how far in advance should I start looking?
Due to smaller capacity and fewer large centers compared to urban areas, quality infant care slots in Wildwood can have significant waitlists, often ranging from 3 to 9 months. It is strongly recommended that expecting parents begin researching and contacting providers early in the second trimester of pregnancy. Many licensed Family Child Care Learning Homes, which are common in the area, may only have 2-4 infant slots, making them fill up quickly. Be prepared to place a deposit to secure a spot. Expanding your search to include providers in nearby Trenton, GA, the Dade County seat, can increase your options, though this will involve a commute.
What are the options for before and after-school care for school-age children in the Wildwood area?
For school-age children, options in Wildwood itself are limited but do exist. The primary resource is often the Dade County School System, which may offer after-school programs at local elementary schools. Some local home-based daycare providers are also licensed to care for school-age children and may provide transportation to and from Dade Elementary or other schools. For more structured programs, parents sometimes look to facilities in Trenton, GA (about a 15-minute drive), which may have dedicated after-school care with homework help and activities. Coordination with other local parents for shared care or nanny arrangements is also a common solution in this community.
Nearby Cities
Explore daycare options in cities near Wildwood: