The Best Daycare Centers in Midland, MI
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Midland. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Midland
Creative Beginnings Child Care & Preschool
Creative Beginnings
Creative Beginnings is a highly-regarded local childcare center known for its comprehensive educational approach and nurturing environment. They implement a play-based learning curriculum that incorporates STEM activities, literacy development, and social-emotional learning. The center features state-licensed teachers with early childhood education credentials, maintaining low teacher-to-child ratios for personalized attention. Facilities include age-appropriate classrooms, secure outdoor playgrounds, and dedicated infant care areas with separate sleeping quarters. Parents consistently praise the center's communication, clean facilities, and the staff's dedication to child development. The center offers nutritious meals and snacks and maintains rigorous safety protocols including secure entry systems and regular safety drills.
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Midland Montessori School
Midland Montessori
Midland Montessori School offers authentic Montessori education following AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) standards. The school features specially trained Montessori teachers and carefully prepared environments with traditional Montessori materials. Their curriculum emphasizes independence, practical life skills, sensorial development, and individualized learning pace. The infant and toddler programs focus on movement, language development, and care of self, while the primary program introduces mathematics, language, cultural studies, and cosmic education. The school maintains beautiful, well-organized classrooms with natural materials and promotes peaceful, respectful community values. Parents appreciate the strong academic foundation and the development of self-motivation and responsibility in children.
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The Goddard School of Midland
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School of Midland is part of the nationally recognized Goddard Systems network, offering a premier early childhood education program with F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience). Their play-based curriculum incorporates literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and arts while developing social skills and confidence. The school features highly qualified teachers with degrees in early childhood education or related fields, and maintains excellent staff-to-child ratios. Facilities include secure, age-appropriate playgrounds, modern classrooms with learning centers, and technology integration. The center emphasizes safety with keypad entry systems, comprehensive background checks, and regular safety training. Parents consistently praise the structured yet nurturing environment, daily communication through the Goddard app, and the school's focus on school readiness skills.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Midland, MI
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Midland, MI?
In Midland, the cost of full-time daycare varies based on the type of facility and the child's age. For center-based care, you can expect to pay between $800 to $1,200 per month for an infant, and slightly less for toddlers, typically $700 to $1,000 per month. Home-based daycare (licensed family childcare) is often more affordable, ranging from $600 to $900 monthly. These costs are influenced by factors like staff-to-child ratios, curriculum, and facility amenities. It's important to note that Michigan offers childcare subsidy programs for eligible families through the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and some local centers may offer sliding scale fees. Always inquire about what's included (meals, diapers, etc.) when comparing prices.
How can I verify the licensing and inspection history of a daycare in Midland?
All licensed childcare providers in Midland must comply with Michigan's licensing rules through the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing (BCAL). To verify a provider's status and history, you can use the **Michigan Child Care Licensing Search** tool online. This public database shows the facility's license type (family home or center), capacity, any substantiated complaints, and the dates of recent inspections. You can also contact the local MDHHS office serving Midland County for assistance. We recommend always visiting a potential daycare in person and asking the director for their most recent licensing notebook, which by law must be available for parent review on-site.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Midland, and how early should I start looking?
Yes, waitlists are common for many of the more sought-after daycare centers and preschools in Midland, especially for infant care, which has the strictest staff-to-child ratios. It is strongly advised to begin your search **6 to 12 months** before your needed start date. Some popular centers affiliated with major employers (like Dow or MidMichigan Health) or with strong educational reputations may have even longer waits. When touring facilities, always ask about their current waitlist policy, estimated timeline, and if a deposit is required to hold a spot. Exploring multiple options, including licensed family home daycares, can provide more immediate availability.
What resources are available in Midland to help me find and compare local childcare options?
The primary local resource is **Great Start to Quality – Midland County**, which is part of Michigan's quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs. Their website and resource center allow you to search for licensed providers by location, age group, and quality rating (1-5 stars). You can also contact the **Midland County Great Start Collaborative** for personalized referrals and information on early childhood programs. Additionally, local parenting groups on social media (like "Midland MI Moms") and community boards at places like the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library can be valuable for getting personal recommendations from other parents.
What are some unique or enrichment-based childcare programs available for preschoolers in Midland?
Midland offers several high-quality preschool programs with unique enrichment focuses. The **Midland Center for the Arts** offers arts-integrated early childhood programs. The **Chippewa Nature Center's Preschool** provides a renowned nature-based, outdoor learning curriculum. Many local daycare centers incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) elements aligned with the community's strong engineering presence. Additionally, several faith-based centers (e.g., Memorial Presbyterian Church, Blessed Sacrament) offer preschool programs with developmental curricula. These programs often have specific enrollment periods, so it's crucial to research and contact them well in advance, as they are popular and fill quickly.