The Best Daycare Centers in Henderson, MD
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Henderson. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Henderson
The Goddard School of Easton
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Easton provides a premium early childhood education program serving families throughout Talbot County, including Henderson. Their F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) focuses on academic readiness, social development, and creative expression. The school features state-of-the-art security systems, keypad entry, and comprehensive safety protocols. Certified teachers implement play-based learning with STEAM curriculum elements, and classrooms are designed with age-appropriate learning centers. The facility includes both indoor and outdoor play spaces with modern equipment. Parent communication is enhanced through daily activity reports and regular progress updates.
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KinderCare Learning Center at Easton
KinderCare Education LLC
KinderCare Learning Center at Easton serves the broader Eastern Shore region including Henderson families with comprehensive early childhood programs. Their curriculum emphasizes literacy, math, science, and social skills development through structured learning centers. The center maintains low teacher-to-child ratios and employs qualified early childhood educators. Safety features include secured entry systems, regular safety drills, and comprehensive background checks for all staff. The facility offers nutritious meal programs and age-appropriate playgrounds. KinderCare's approach includes individualized learning plans and regular developmental assessments to track each child's progress.
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Trinity Nursery School and Child Care Center
Trinity Cathedral
Trinity Nursery School and Child Care Center has been serving Eastern Shore families for over two decades with a reputation for nurturing care and strong educational foundation. Their play-based curriculum incorporates Montessori-inspired elements and focuses on whole-child development. The center features experienced teachers with early childhood credentials and low staff turnover. Safety is prioritized with secure facilities, comprehensive emergency protocols, and health monitoring systems. The program emphasizes social-emotional learning, creative expression, and kindergarten readiness skills. Parent involvement is encouraged through regular conferences, classroom events, and community activities. The center maintains strong relationships with local elementary schools for smooth transitions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Henderson, MD
What are the licensing requirements for daycare providers in Henderson, MD, and how can I verify a facility's license?
In Henderson, Maryland, all childcare centers and family childcare homes must be licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), Office of Child Care. Licensing ensures providers meet state standards for health, safety, staff qualifications, and program quality. Key requirements include background checks for all staff, specific child-to-staff ratios based on age, safe physical environments, and ongoing training. To verify a provider's license status, you can use the free, online **Maryland EXCELS** search tool or the MSDE's Child Care Search. This allows you to see not only the license status but also the provider's quality rating (from Level 1 to Level 5) within Maryland's quality rating and improvement system. Always confirm the license is current before enrolling your child.
What is the average cost of full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Henderson, MD?
Childcare costs in Henderson and the surrounding Caroline County area are generally more affordable than in Maryland's major metropolitan corridors, but they vary by type of care. For a licensed childcare center, you can expect to pay an average of **$175 to $250 per week** for full-time infant or toddler care. Licensed family childcare homes may range from **$125 to $200 per week**. These are estimates, and prices can differ based on the program's hours, curriculum, and quality rating. It's important to ask what is included in the weekly fee (e.g., meals, diapers, enrichment activities). For financial assistance, Maryland families can apply for the **Child Care Scholarship (CCS)** program through the Maryland Family Network to help offset costs based on income and need.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Henderson, and how far in advance should I start looking?
While Henderson is a smaller, rural community, quality daycare slots, especially for infants, can be limited due to lower provider density and strict staff-to-child ratios. It is not uncommon for the most sought-after centers and highly-rated family providers to have waitlists of **3 to 6 months**, or even longer. We strongly recommend parents begin their search **at least 4-6 months before their needed start date**. For infants, starting your search during pregnancy is advisable. When contacting providers, ask directly about their current waitlist policy, any fees to join the list, and how often they update families on their position. Exploring multiple options, including providers in nearby towns like Federalsburg or Denton, can increase your chances of securing a spot.
What types of childcare programs are most commonly available in Henderson, MD?
Henderson primarily offers two types of licensed childcare: **Family Child Care Homes** and **Child Care Centers**. Family homes are smaller, home-based settings often offering more flexible hours and a mixed-age group environment, which can be ideal for siblings. Centers are larger facilities, often with structured curricula, multiple classrooms, and more staff. Given the agricultural nature of Caroline County, some providers may offer schedules tailored to seasonal work. There are also **faith-based preschool programs** often attached to local churches, which may offer part-day options for ages 3-5. For school-age children, the **Caroline County Public Schools** district may offer before-and-after-school care programs at local elementary schools. Due to the rural setting, specialized options like 24-hour care or language-immersion programs are very limited locally.
What local resources in Caroline County can help me find and evaluate childcare options in Henderson?
The primary local resource for Henderson parents is the **Maryland Family Network**, which operates a regional Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) center. You can contact them via their statewide toll-free number or website for free, personalized referrals to licensed providers in your zip code. Additionally, the **Caroline County Public Library** and the **Caroline County Department of Social Services** can be helpful points of contact. For evaluation, beyond checking the Maryland EXCELS rating, we recommend scheduling in-person tours, asking for references from current parents, and observing how staff interact with children. Be sure to ask providers about their emergency plans for situations like severe weather, which is relevant in this coastal plain region, and their policies on outdoor playtime, given the local environment.