The Best Daycare Centers in Harwood, MD
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Harwood. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Harwood
The Goddard School of Davidsonville
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in nearby Davidsonville offers a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic learning with play-based development. Features include state-certified teachers, low student-to-teacher ratios, secure entry systems, and daily communication with parents via electronic reporting. The facility includes age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor playgrounds, and enrichment programs in yoga, music, and Spanish. Their curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and social-emotional development with individualized learning plans for each child.
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Celebree School of Annapolis
Celebree Learning Centers
Celebree School of Annapolis provides a comprehensive early education program with their "Seven Domains of Learning" curriculum that addresses cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. The center features secure facilities with coded entry, live streaming capabilities for parent monitoring, and USDA-approved meal programs. Staff includes certified early childhood educators with ongoing professional development. Their program emphasizes school readiness through literacy-rich environments, hands-on learning centers, and character development activities. Extended hours and transportation services available for school-age children.
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The Children's Guild - Monarch Academy Annapolis
The Children's Guild Alliance
Monarch Academy Annapolis, operated by The Children's Guild, offers an innovative public charter school with exceptional preschool and childcare programs. Their trauma-informed educational approach focuses on the whole child through the Transformation Education model. Features include specialized classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and integrated technology. The program emphasizes social-emotional learning, project-based curriculum, and inclusive practices. Staff includes master teachers with special education training and behavioral support specialists. The center maintains small class sizes and offers extensive parent involvement opportunities and community partnerships.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Harwood, MD
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Harwood, MD, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Harwood and the surrounding Anne Arundel County area, full-time daycare for infants typically ranges from $1,400 to $1,800 per month, while toddler care is slightly lower, averaging $1,200 to $1,600 per month. These costs can vary based on the center's amenities, curriculum, and staff-to-child ratios. For financial assistance, Maryland offers the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program, which is income-based and can significantly reduce costs for eligible families. Additionally, the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services can provide guidance on local subsidies. It's also worth checking if any Harwood-based centers offer sliding scale fees or sibling discounts.
How long are waitlists for licensed daycare centers in Harwood, and what can I do to secure a spot?
Waitlists for reputable licensed centers in Harwood can be substantial, especially for infant rooms, often ranging from 6 to 12 months. High-demand centers in nearby communities like Davidsonville or Edgewater may have similar wait times. To improve your chances, we recommend contacting centers as early as possible during pregnancy. Get on multiple waitlists (even if there's a small fee), and follow up with centers every 2-3 months to confirm your interest remains active. Also, consider expanding your search to include licensed family childcare homes in Harwood, which may have shorter waitlists and offer a more home-like setting.
What specific licensing regulations and safety standards should I look for in a Harwood daycare?
All childcare providers in Harwood must be licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Office of Child Care. Key regulations include staff-to-child ratios (e.g., 1:3 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers), background checks for all employees, and required health and safety training. Specifically for our area, ask about their emergency preparedness plans for severe weather common to Central Maryland. You can verify a provider's license and view any past compliance reports online through the MSDE public search portal. Look for centers that are accredited by organizations like the Maryland EXCELS program, which indicates a higher quality standard beyond basic licensing.
Are there any unique childcare options in Harwood that cater to families with non-traditional work hours?
While most traditional daycare centers in Harwood operate on a standard 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM schedule, options for evenings, overnight, or weekend care are limited. Your best bet is to seek out licensed family childcare providers who may offer more flexible hours to accommodate shift workers common to the region (e.g., those working at BWI Airport, area hospitals, or in DC). Some providers in Anne Arundel County participate in the "Flexible Child Care" network. Additionally, consider forming a nanny share with other local families, which can provide customized hours. The local Harwood/Anne Arundel County community Facebook groups are often a good resource to connect with other parents and caregivers for such arrangements.
What resources are available in Harwood to help me evaluate and choose a quality childcare provider?
The primary local resource is the **Child Care Resource Network (CCRN) of Anne Arundel County**, which offers free referrals, parenting workshops, and guidance on what to look for during a daycare visit. They can be accessed online or by phone. We strongly recommend using the **Maryland EXCELS** quality rating system to find and compare programs; a higher rating indicates better quality. When visiting a Harwood center, ask about their outdoor play areas—given Harwood's semi-rural setting, some centers may have nature-based programs. Also, connect with other parents through the "Harwood, MD Community" Facebook page or local parenting groups for firsthand recommendations and experiences with providers in our specific area.
Childcare Insights for Harwood
As the school year winds down, many parents in Harwood find themselves facing the annual question: what are the best summer childcare options near me? The search for reliable, engaging, and safe care during the summer months is a priority for families throughout our community. Fortunately, Harwood and the surrounding areas of southern Anne Arundel County offer several wonderful avenues to explore, ensuring your children have a summer filled with growth and fun while giving you peace of mind.
One of the first places to look is right within our local community centers and parks. The Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks department administers a variety of popular summer day camps at facilities not far from Harwood. These camps often provide a structured day of activities, sports, crafts, and even field trips, all at a community-focused price point. Given Harwood’s semi-rural charm, many parents also seek out smaller, home-based daycare providers who offer a more intimate setting. These can be gems, providing flexible hours and a family-like atmosphere. Checking local community boards, like those at the Harwood Post Office or the Lothian Shopping Center, or asking for personal recommendations from neighbors can lead you to these trusted local caregivers.
For families needing more traditional daycare, several established centers in nearby towns like Davidsonville, Edgewater, and Deale offer summer programs that welcome school-age children. These programs typically blend academic enrichment with recreational activities, helping to prevent the "summer slide" in learning. When considering these options, factor in the commute along routes like Route 2 or Harwood Road. A key piece of advice for Harwood parents is to plan and register early. The most sought-after programs, especially those with a strong local reputation, fill up quickly, sometimes as early as spring.
Another fantastic aspect of living in this area is the access to nature-based summer experiences. Look for camps that take advantage of our beautiful Chesapeake Bay environment, offering activities like fishing, kayaking, and environmental science. These experiences are uniquely valuable for children growing up in Harwood, connecting them with the natural landscape that defines our community. When evaluating any summer childcare option, be sure to ask about their policies on outdoor time, sunscreen application, and hydration—essential considerations for our Maryland summers.
Ultimately, finding the right summer childcare in Harwood is about matching your child’s interests with your family’s logistical needs. Take the time to visit potential programs, ask detailed questions about daily schedules and staff qualifications, and trust your instincts. The goal is to find a place where your child feels excited to go each day, whether it’s a camp exploring the wetlands of Jug Bay or a local daycare hosting themed summer weeks. By tapping into the network of local providers and county resources, you can secure a summer plan that is both reliable and enriching, turning the question of "childcare near me" into an opportunity for your child’s next great adventure right here in Harwood.