The Best Daycare Centers in Charlestown, MD
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Charlestown. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Charlestown
The Goddard School of North East
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of North East 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 state-of-the-art facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate classrooms, and outdoor play areas. Highly qualified teachers implement play-based learning with STEAM curriculum elements. The school maintains low student-to-teacher ratios and provides nutritious meals. Parents praise the consistent communication through daily reports and the nurturing environment that prepares children for kindergarten success.
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Kiddie Academy of Elkton
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Elkton provides comprehensive educational childcare with their Life Essentials® curriculum that emphasizes character development, literacy, and STEM learning. The facility features secure access systems, modern classrooms with age-appropriate learning centers, and outdoor playgrounds. Certified teachers implement developmentally appropriate practices with regular progress assessments. The academy offers balanced meal programs and maintains strict health and safety protocols. Parents consistently highlight the professional staff, engaging learning activities, and the center's focus on preparing children for academic and social success.
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Chesterbrook Academy Preschool
Chesterbrook Academy
Chesterbrook Academy Preschool offers a nationally-recognized curriculum with a balance of academic preparation and social development. Their Links to Learning program provides structured learning experiences in literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. The facility includes secure entry systems, dedicated art and music rooms, and age-appropriate outdoor play spaces. Experienced teachers hold early childhood credentials and receive ongoing professional development. The academy emphasizes parent partnerships with regular communication and family events. While located in Wilmington, DE, it serves families throughout the regional area including Charlestown, MD.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Charlestown, MD
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Charlestown, MD?
In Charlestown and the surrounding Cecil County area, full-time daycare costs can vary significantly based on the type of provider. For a licensed daycare center, you can expect to pay between $1,200 to $1,600 per month for infant care. For toddlers, the cost may drop slightly to a range of $1,000 to $1,400 per month. Home-based family childcare providers in Charlestown often offer more competitive rates, typically ranging from $800 to $1,200 per month. These costs are generally lower than the state average for Maryland, reflecting the more rural nature of Cecil County. It's important to note that these are base rates; additional fees for registration, supplies, or late pick-up are common. We recommend contacting the Maryland Family Network for information on local subsidy programs like the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) that can help eligible families offset these expenses.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare provider in Charlestown?
All childcare providers in Maryland, including those in Charlestown, must be licensed or registered by the Maryland State Department of Education's (MSDE) Office of Child Care. The most reliable way to verify a provider's status and review their compliance history is to use the free, public "LOCATE: Child Care" search tool on the MSDE website. You can search by provider name, location (zip code 21914 for Charlestown), or type of care. This tool will show you the provider's license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious regulatory violations or complaints found during inspections over the past three years. You can also call the MSDE's regional licensing office for Cecil County directly to ask specific questions about a provider's record. Always visit a potential daycare in person to observe the environment and ask the director for their most recent inspection report.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Charlestown, and how far in advance should I start looking?
Due to the smaller number of dedicated daycare centers in Charlestown itself, waitlists can be common, especially for infant care slots, which have stricter staff-to-child ratios. It is not unusual for popular centers in Charlestown and nearby towns like North East or Elkton to have waitlists of 6 to 12 months for infants. For toddler and preschool-age children, waitlists may be shorter, around 3 to 6 months. We strongly recommend that expecting parents begin their search and get on waitlists during the second trimester of pregnancy. For families moving to the area, start contacting providers as soon as you have a confirmed move date. Don't limit your search to Charlestown proper; expanding your radius to include surrounding Cecil County communities will increase your options. Be prepared to pay a non-refundable waitlist fee, which is standard practice.
What types of childcare options are most commonly available in Charlestown, MD?
Charlestown, being a smaller historic town, offers a mix of childcare options, though the density is lower than in urban areas. The most common types are: 1. **Licensed Family Child Care Homes:** These are small, home-based programs run by a registered provider, often caring for 4-8 children. They are popular for offering a home-like setting and flexible hours. 2. **Child Care Centers:** There are a few licensed centers in and immediately around Charlestown, offering structured programs for larger groups of children, typically divided by age. 3. **Preschool Programs:** Some local churches and community organizations offer part-day preschool programs for children ages 3-5, which focus on early education and socialization. 4. **School-Age Care:** For older children, options may include before-and-after-school programs operated in connection with local elementary schools. Given the town's size, many families also utilize providers in neighboring communities such as North East, Perryville, or Elkton, which have a broader selection of centers and homes.
What are the key state-mandated regulations for daycare staff in Maryland that I should be aware of when choosing a provider?
Maryland has specific regulations to ensure child safety and quality care. Key staff requirements for licensed providers in Charlestown include: * **Background Checks:** All staff members must undergo comprehensive federal and state criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, and be cleared through the Child Protective Services registry. * **Training:** Staff must complete 12 hours of approved continuing training annually. This includes mandatory topics like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention, safe sleep practices, and recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. * **Health Requirements:** Staff must have a health assessment and be immunized against measles and rubella. * **Staff-to-Child Ratios:** Maryland law mandates strict ratios. For infants (0-18 months), the ratio is 1 staff member to 3 children. For toddlers (18-36 months), it's 1:6. These ratios are non-negotiable for licensed care. * **Director Qualifications:** Center directors must have specific credentials, including experience and coursework in early childhood education. A reputable provider in Charlestown will be transparent about these requirements and happy to show you records of staff certifications and training.
Nearby Cities
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