The Best Daycare Centers in Elizabethtown, KY
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Elizabethtown. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Elizabethtown
KinderCare at Elizabethtown
KinderCare Learning Companies
KinderCare at Elizabethtown provides comprehensive early childhood education with a research-based curriculum that focuses on literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development. The center features highly qualified teachers with early childhood education credentials and maintains low student-teacher ratios. Facilities include secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. The center emphasizes individualized learning plans and regular progress updates for parents, with programs specifically designed for each developmental stage from infants through school-age children.
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Kiddie Academy of Elizabethtown
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Elizabethtown offers an educational approach through their Life Essentials curriculum that balances academic preparation with character development. The center features state-certified teachers, modern security systems including keypad entry, and comprehensive safety protocols. Their program includes technology-enhanced learning, nutritious meal plans, and dedicated spaces for different age groups. The academy emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, community involvement, and regular communication with parents through digital daily reports and parent-teacher conferences.
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The Learning Center at Severns Valley Baptist Church
Severns Valley Baptist Church
The Learning Center at Severns Valley Baptist Church provides a faith-based early childhood education program that combines academic readiness with Christian values. The center features experienced educators with background checks and ongoing professional development. Their curriculum includes phonics-based reading preparation, early math concepts, science exploration, and character education. The facility offers secure environments, age-appropriate learning centers, and outdoor playgrounds. The program emphasizes small class sizes, individualized attention, and strong parent partnerships through regular communication and family events.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Elizabethtown, KY
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Elizabethtown, KY?
In Elizabethtown, the cost of full-time daycare varies based on the child's age and the type of facility. For infants (6 weeks to 18 months), you can expect to pay an average of $150 to $200 per week at licensed daycare centers. For toddlers (18 months to 3 years), the average weekly cost ranges from $130 to $175. In-home family childcare providers may offer slightly lower rates, typically between $120 and $160 per week for infants. These costs are generally lower than in larger Kentucky cities like Louisville but have been gradually increasing. It's important to ask what is included in the tuition, such as meals, snacks, diapers, and curriculum materials. Many facilities in Elizabethtown also require a one-time registration fee, which can range from $50 to $150.
How do I verify that a daycare in Elizabethtown is properly licensed and check its compliance history?
All childcare centers and certified family childcare homes in Elizabethtown must be licensed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Child Care. The most direct way to verify a provider's license and view their compliance history is to use the state's online "Child Care Provider Search" tool. You can search by the provider's name, city (Elizabethtown), or zip code. This public report will show the license status, capacity, ages served, and any cited violations from the past three years of inspections. You can also call the local CHFS office that serves Hardin County for assistance. We recommend always visiting a potential daycare in person and asking the director to see their current license, which must be posted in a visible location.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Elizabethtown, and how far in advance should I start looking?
Due to high demand, especially for infant care slots, many reputable daycare centers in Elizabethtown do maintain waitlists. It is very common for popular centers near major employers like Fort Knox, the hospital, or industrial parks to have waitlists of 3 to 9 months for infants. For toddler and preschool rooms, waitlists may be shorter, typically 1 to 4 months. We strongly recommend starting your search at least 6 to 9 months before your needed start date. When contacting centers, ask specifically about their waitlist process: if there's a fee to be added, how often they update families on position, and if they offer priority for siblings or employees of local partner businesses.
What local resources or programs in Elizabethtown can help me pay for childcare?
Eligible families in Elizabethtown can apply for the Kentucky Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides subsidies to help lower the cost of care at participating providers. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and need (such as employment or attending school). You can apply through the DCBS (Department for Community Based Services) office in Elizabethtown. Additionally, some local centers may offer sliding scale fees or sibling discounts. For military families connected to Fort Knox, there are specific childcare options and fee assistance programs available through Child Development Centers (CDCs) and the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) program. The United Way of Central Kentucky and the Family Resource Center at local schools can also provide guidance on available resources.
What are some key differences between the larger daycare centers and in-home family childcare providers in Elizabethtown?
Your choice in Elizabethtown often comes down to environment and structure. Larger daycare centers (like chains or church-affiliated centers) typically offer structured curricula, multiple classrooms segmented by age, larger outdoor play areas, and more staff, which can provide backup during illness. They are often open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM to accommodate commuting parents to Fort Knox or Louisville. In-home family childcare providers, which are licensed for a smaller number of children (often 6-12), offer a home-like setting with mixed-age groups, which can be beneficial for siblings. They often provide more flexible hours and may be more affordable. However, their hours might be more limited, and they have less backup if the provider is sick. Both types are regulated by the same state licensing standards for health, safety, and training. Visiting both kinds will help you determine which setting best fits your child's temperament and your family's schedule.