The Best Daycare Centers in Gladstone, IL
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Gladstone. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Gladstone
The Goddard School of Burlington
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Burlington offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that focuses on academic, social, and emotional development. Their curriculum includes STEAM learning, language arts, and character development activities. The facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. All teachers are highly qualified with ongoing professional development. The school emphasizes communication with parents through daily reports and regular conferences, creating a nurturing environment that prepares children for elementary school success.
Daycare Services:
Kiddie Academy of Moline
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Moline provides comprehensive educational childcare with their Life Essentials® curriculum that balances academic preparation with character development. The program includes technology integration, music, and physical fitness activities. The center features secure keypad entry, modern classrooms with educational technology, and safe outdoor playgrounds. Staff members are CPR and First Aid certified with ongoing training in early childhood education. The academy emphasizes nutrition with healthy meals and snacks included, and maintains strong parent partnerships through regular communication and family events.
Daycare Services:
The Learning Experience - Davenport
The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience in Davenport offers a proprietary L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum that incorporates phonics, mathematics, and science with character development through their philanthropy curriculum. The center features state-of-the-art security systems, bright and engaging classrooms, and age-specific playgrounds. Their programs include optional enrichment activities like soccer, yoga, and dance. The highly qualified teaching staff maintains low student-teacher ratios and focuses on individualized learning paths. Parents receive daily digital updates and photos, ensuring strong communication and family involvement in each child's development.
Daycare Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Gladstone, IL
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Gladstone, IL, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Gladstone and the surrounding Henderson County area, full-time daycare for an infant (under 2 years) typically ranges from $150 to $225 per week, while care for toddlers (2-3 years) is slightly lower, averaging $130 to $200 per week. These costs are generally more affordable than in larger Illinois metropolitan areas but can vary based on the type of provider (licensed center vs. licensed home daycare). For financial assistance, Illinois' Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is the primary resource for eligible families. You can apply through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Additionally, local organizations like the Henderson County Health Department or the regional office of the Two Rivers Head Start program (based in nearby Oquawka) may offer guidance or have slots for income-eligible families, though availability in Gladstone itself is limited.
How can I verify that a daycare provider in Gladstone is properly licensed and check their compliance history?
All licensed daycare centers and home providers in Illinois are regulated by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). To verify a provider's license and review their history, you should use the "Child Care Facility Search" tool on the Illinois DCFS website. You can search by facility name, city (Gladstone), or zip code. This report will show the license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious licensing violations or substantiated complaints from the past several years. For a more local perspective, you can also contact the Henderson County Health Department, as they often have community knowledge of providers and may assist with referrals to licensed care.
Given Gladstone's small size, what is the availability of daycare like, and should I expect to join a waitlist?
Due to Gladstone's rural nature and small population, licensed daycare options are very limited, often consisting of a few licensed home providers rather than larger centers. Availability is frequently tight, especially for infants and non-standard hours. It is highly advisable to start your search as early as possible—ideally during pregnancy or several months before you need care. Many families in Gladstone find themselves on waitlists for 3 to 9 months for a preferred provider. It's common for parents to expand their search to nearby towns like Oquawka, Biggsville, or even Burlington, Iowa (just across the Mississippi River), where there are more options, though this adds commute time.
Are there any part-time or flexible childcare options available in Gladstone for parents with irregular or shift-work schedules?
Finding part-time or flexible-hour care in Gladstone is particularly challenging due to the limited number of providers. Most licensed home daycares operate on a standard Monday-Friday, daytime schedule. For irregular hours (evenings, weekends, or overnight), your best bet is to network within the community—check postings at the Gladstone Post Office, the local church, or community Facebook groups like "Gladstone, IL Community" for individuals offering occasional babysitting or shared nanny arrangements. Some providers in the broader region may offer more flexibility, but you will likely need to commute to Burlington, IA, or Monmouth, IL, and negotiate terms and rates directly with the provider.
What are the key differences between a licensed home daycare and a larger daycare center for families in the Gladstone area?
In Gladstone, your primary choice will likely be between a licensed family child care home (operated in a provider's residence) and potentially commuting to a center in a neighboring town. Local home daycares in Gladstone offer a smaller, home-like setting with mixed-age groups, which can be beneficial for siblings. They often have more flexible policies and may be more affordable. However, they may have limited backup if the provider is ill. Daycare centers in nearby Oquawka or Burlington offer structured curricula, multiple staff members, and often more robust facilities, but come with a longer commute and potentially higher cost. For Gladstone residents, the decision often hinges on the value of a hyper-local, convenient provider versus the programmatic offerings of a center a short drive away. Always ensure any provider, home or center, is DCFS-licensed.