The Best Daycare Centers in Street, MD
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Street. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Street
The Goddard School of Bel Air
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Forest Hill serves the Street area with a premier early childhood education program featuring the FLEX Learning Program that balances academic learning with creative play. Their state-licensed teachers implement play-based learning strategies in purpose-built classrooms with advanced security systems, including keypad entry and comprehensive monitoring. The curriculum focuses on literacy, STEM, art, and social development with low student-teacher ratios. Facilities include age-appropriate playgrounds, and they maintain rigorous safety protocols with regular staff training in CPR and first aid.
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Celebree Learning Center of Bel Air
Celebree School
Celebree Learning Center provides comprehensive early education serving the Street community with a research-based curriculum that addresses seven domains of learning. Their certified teachers create individualized learning plans for each child, focusing on cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. The center features secure facilities with electronic entry systems, dedicated age-specific learning environments, and nutritious meal programs. They emphasize character development and school readiness while maintaining small class sizes and highly qualified staff with ongoing professional development.
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Kiddie Academy of Bel Air
Kiddie Academy Domestic Franchising
Kiddie Academy of Bel Air serves the Street area with their Life Essentials® curriculum that integrates character education with academic preparation. The center features purpose-built learning environments with advanced security systems, including secured entry and comprehensive monitoring. Their degreed teachers implement developmentally appropriate practices with emphasis on literacy, mathematics, science, and social skills. The facility includes multiple playgrounds, dedicated art and music areas, and follows strict health and safety protocols with staff trained in emergency procedures and child development best practices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Street, MD
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Street, MD, and are there any local financial assistance programs?
In Street, MD, and the broader Harford County area, full-time daycare for an infant (under 2 years) typically ranges from $1,200 to $1,600 per month. For toddlers (ages 2-3), costs are slightly lower, averaging $1,000 to $1,400 per month. These rates can vary based on the center's amenities, curriculum, and staff-to-child ratios. For financial assistance, Maryland's Child Care Scholarship (CCS) program is the primary resource for eligible families, which is administered through the Maryland State Department of Education. Additionally, some local centers may offer sliding scale fees or sibling discounts. It's highly recommended to contact the Harford County Child Care Resource Center for personalized guidance on subsidies and to get an updated list of participating providers in the Street area.
How do I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare center or family childcare home in Street?
All childcare providers in Street must be licensed and regulated by the Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care (OCC). To verify a provider's license and view their compliance history, you can use the free online "LOCATE: Child Care" public search tool on the MSDE website. This tool allows you to search by provider name, location, or zip code (for Street, 21154) and will show the license status, capacity, ages served, and any serious regulatory violations found during inspections. You can also view full inspection reports. For a more personal touch, you can contact the OCC's regional licensing office for Northern Maryland, which oversees Harford County, to ask specific questions about a provider's record.
Given Street's semi-rural location, what are the main types of childcare options available, and are waitlists common?
Street offers a mix of childcare options suited to its community. You'll find licensed childcare centers, often affiliated with churches or community organizations, and registered family childcare homes operated in a provider's residence. Family homes are particularly common in more residential areas of Street and can offer a smaller, home-like setting. Due to the limited number of facilities compared to more urban areas, waitlists, especially for infant care, are very common and can be several months long. It's advisable for parents to begin their search and get on multiple waitlists as early as possible, ideally during pregnancy or 6-12 months before needed care. Some popular local centers may have even longer waits.
What should I look for in a daycare curriculum or program in Street, especially with the transition to kindergarten in Harford County Public Schools?
Look for programs that align with Maryland's rigorous early learning standards, known as the Maryland Early Learning Standards. High-quality centers in Street will often use structured, play-based curricula like Creative Curriculum or HighScope, which focus on social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Specifically ask how they prepare children for Harford County Public Schools' kindergarten. A strong program will incorporate pre-literacy skills (phonemic awareness, letter recognition), basic math concepts, and social skills like taking turns and following routines. Many local providers also emphasize outdoor and nature-based play, taking advantage of Street's surrounding environment. Don't hesitate to ask for a sample daily schedule and how they communicate developmental progress to parents.
Are there any unique local resources or networks in Street or Harford County to help parents find and evaluate childcare?
Yes, a key local resource is the **Harford County Child Care Resource Center (HCCCRC)**, which is part of the Maryland Family Network. This free service helps parents find licensed care, understand quality indicators, and navigate financial assistance. They maintain a database of all licensed providers in the county, including Street. Additionally, connecting with other parents through local Facebook groups (e.g., "Harford County Moms" or "Street, MD Community") can provide invaluable word-of-mouth recommendations and insights into provider reputations. For evaluating quality, look for providers participating in Maryland EXCELS, a voluntary quality rating and improvement system. A higher EXCELS rating (Level 2-5) indicates a program that has met additional standards beyond basic licensing.