The Best Daycare Centers in Upton, KY
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Upton. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Upton
Kiddie Academy of Elizabethtown
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Elizabethtown offers a comprehensive Life Essentials curriculum that focuses on character development, literacy, STEM, and creative arts. The center features highly qualified teachers with early childhood education credentials and maintains low student-teacher ratios. Their facility includes secure entry systems, age-appropriate learning environments, and structured play areas. The academy emphasizes communication with parents through daily reports and a proprietary mobile app. They provide nutritious meals and snacks following USDA guidelines and offer flexible scheduling options for working families in the Upton service area.
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The Goddard School of Elizabethtown
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Elizabethtown implements the F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic learning with creative play. Their state-licensed teachers hold degrees in early childhood education and receive ongoing professional development. The facility features secure classrooms, outdoor playgrounds with safety surfaces, and dedicated learning centers for literacy, math, and science. The school maintains rigorous health and safety protocols including regular sanitation and emergency preparedness drills. They offer enrichment programs in music, yoga, and foreign language, serving families throughout Hardin County including Upton residents.
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Little Blessings Child Development Center
Independent Nonprofit
Little Blessings Child Development Center provides faith-based early childhood education with a focus on whole-child development. Their curriculum integrates academic readiness with Christian values and character education. The center features experienced teaching staff with CPR and First Aid certification, and maintains small class sizes for individualized attention. Their facility includes secure access control, age-specific learning environments, and large outdoor play areas. The center offers comprehensive early learning programs with emphasis on literacy development, social skills, and kindergarten preparedness, serving families from Upton and surrounding communities with flexible full-time and part-time options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Upton, KY
What are the licensing requirements for daycare providers in Upton, Kentucky, and how can I verify a facility's compliance?
In Upton, Kentucky, all childcare centers and certified family childcare homes must be licensed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Division of Child Care. Licensing ensures providers meet minimum standards for health, safety, staff-to-child ratios, and staff qualifications. For centers, this includes background checks, annual training, and facility inspections. You can verify a provider's license status, view inspection reports, and check for any serious violations by using the free online "Child Care Finder" tool on the Kentucky CHFS website. This is a crucial first step for any parent in Upton to ensure their chosen provider operates legally and safely under state oversight.
What is the average cost of full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Upton, KY, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Upton and the surrounding rural areas of Kentucky, full-time daycare for an infant typically ranges from $125 to $175 per week, while toddler care may be slightly lower, around $110 to $150 per week. These costs are generally lower than in larger Kentucky cities like Louisville or Lexington but can vary based on the type of facility (center vs. home-based) and the specific services offered. For financial assistance, Kentucky's Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps eligible low-income families pay for childcare. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and work or training requirements. Applications are processed through the local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office that serves Hardin and Larue Counties, which includes Upton.
How common are waitlists for daycare centers in Upton, and when should I start looking for a spot?
Due to Upton's smaller size and limited number of licensed childcare facilities, waitlists for infant and toddler spots are common and can be lengthy, often several months. It is highly recommended that expecting parents or families planning a return to work begin their search and get on waitlists as early as possible—ideally during the second trimester of pregnancy or at least 6-9 months before the needed start date. For preschool-age children, availability may be better, but starting your search 3-4 months in advance is still prudent. Be sure to contact providers directly, as some smaller home-based providers in the area may not advertise online.
Are there any unique childcare options in Upton that cater to parents with non-traditional or agricultural work schedules?
Given Upton's location in a rural, agriculturally active region, finding childcare for early mornings, evenings, or weekends can be a challenge. While most licensed centers operate on a standard Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM schedule, your best bet for flexible hours may be with licensed or registered family childcare homes. Some in-home providers may offer more personalized and flexible arrangements to accommodate shift work at local factories or seasonal farm demands. It's important to discuss your specific schedule needs upfront. Additionally, informal care networks with trusted neighbors or relatives are still a common solution in small communities like Upton, though they may not be state-regulated.
What resources are available in Upton to help me evaluate the quality and curriculum of a local daycare or preschool program?
Beyond checking state licensing, parents in Upton can look for programs participating in Kentucky's STARS for KIDS NOW quality rating system. A higher STAR rating (1-4) indicates a program that exceeds minimum licensing standards in areas like learning environment, professional development, and family engagement. You can search for a program's STAR rating on the same Kentucky Child Care Finder website. For curriculum, ask providers directly about their educational philosophy and how they incorporate Kentucky's Early Childhood Standards into daily activities. While Upton may not have large corporate chains with branded curricula, many local providers use play-based and developmental approaches suited to young children. The North Central District Health Department, which serves Hardin County, can also be a resource for health and safety guidelines.