The Best Daycare Centers in Greenville, MS
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Greenville. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Greenville
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in Cleveland serves the Greenville area with a premier early childhood education program featuring their proprietary FLEX Learning Program that balances academic learning with play-based development. The facility features state-of-the-art security systems including keypad entry, comprehensive background checks for all staff, and rigorous safety protocols. Their degreed teachers implement age-appropriate STEAM curriculum with daily enrichment activities including Spanish, yoga, and music. The center maintains low student-teacher ratios and offers nutritious meals and snacks. Parents consistently praise the school's communication, clean facilities, and the developmental progress children make.
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TLC Learning Center
TLC Early Childhood Centers
TLC Learning Center has served the Delta region for nearly two decades with a comprehensive early childhood program that emphasizes both academic preparation and social-emotional development. The center features a play-based learning approach combined with structured academic components to prepare children for kindergarten success. Their qualified teaching staff includes certified early childhood educators who implement Creative Curriculum with hands-on learning centers. The facility includes secure outdoor playgrounds with age-appropriate equipment, modern classrooms with observation windows, and comprehensive health and safety protocols. Parents particularly appreciate the consistent communication and the center's focus on character development.
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Cleveland Childcare & Learning Center
Independent
Cleveland Childcare & Learning Center provides quality early education to families throughout the Mississippi Delta region with a focus on individualized attention and developmental appropriateness. The center employs experienced early childhood educators who implement a balanced curriculum incorporating literacy development, mathematics readiness, and social skills. Their facility features secure access control, monitored playgrounds, and age-separated learning environments. The center emphasizes parent partnerships with regular progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and an open-door policy. Multiple reviews highlight the caring staff, clean environment, and children's enthusiasm for attending.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Greenville, MS
What are the typical costs for full-time daycare for an infant or toddler in Greenville, MS?
In Greenville, the cost of full-time daycare can vary significantly based on the type of facility. For licensed daycare centers, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 per week for a toddler, while infant care is typically higher, ranging from $120 to $180 per week. Home-based family childcare providers often charge slightly less, averaging $90 to $130 per week. These rates are generally lower than the Mississippi state average, reflecting the local cost of living. It's important to note that many facilities in Greenville require an initial registration fee. For financial assistance, parents can apply for the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Child Care Payment Program, which provides subsidies to eligible families in Washington County.
How can I verify if a daycare in Greenville is properly licensed and check its compliance history?
All childcare facilities in Mississippi must be licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). To verify a provider in Greenville, you can use the online "Facility Search" tool on the MSDH website or call the MSDH Office of Health Protection at (601) 576-7613. This search will show the facility's current license status, capacity, and any serious compliance issues or deficiencies noted during inspections. For a more detailed report, you can request the last two inspection reports directly from the daycare provider, which they are required to have on-site. It's also advisable to check with the Greenville Police Department or Washington County Sheriff's Office for any local concerns.
Are there long waitlists for daycare centers in Greenville, and how far in advance should I apply?
Yes, waitlists are common for the more established and highly-regarded daycare centers in Greenville, particularly for infant rooms which have stricter staff-to-child ratios. For popular centers, it is not unusual to encounter a waitlist of 6 to 12 months. It is highly recommended that expecting parents in Greenville begin touring facilities and applying for waitlists during the second trimester of pregnancy. For toddler or preschool spots, applying 3-6 months in advance is advisable. Some church-affiliated centers or home-based providers may have shorter wait times. Always ask about the waitlist policy, including any non-refundable deposit required to hold a spot.
What local resources or referral services are available in Greenville to help me find and choose childcare?
The primary local resource for childcare referrals in Greenville is the **Mississippi Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network**, which serves Washington County. You can contact them at 1-800-877-7885 or visit their website for a customized search of licensed providers based on your zip code, hours needed, and child's age. Additionally, the **Washington County Economic Alliance** and local family-focused groups on social media (like "Greenville, MS Moms") are valuable for gathering parent recommendations and experiences. For early education programs, you can contact the **Greenville Public School District** about public Pre-K options and the **Delta Health Alliance** about Head Start programs, which provide comprehensive services for income-eligible families.
What are the key differences between daycare centers and registered family childcare homes in Greenville?
In Greenville, parents typically choose between licensed childcare centers and registered family childcare homes (FCCHs). **Centers** are often larger facilities with multiple classrooms, structured curricula, and multiple staff members. They may offer more amenities and have stricter MDHS licensing standards for physical space. **Family Childcare Homes** are operated out of the provider's residence, offering a smaller, home-like environment with mixed-age groups, which can be beneficial for siblings. They are registered (not licensed) with MDHS and have different, often smaller, capacity limits. A key local consideration is flexibility; some FCCHs in Greenville may offer more accommodating hours for shift workers at local industries like agriculture or manufacturing, while centers typically adhere to a standard 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM schedule. Both types are subject to state background checks and health/safety standards.
Childcare Insights for Greenville
Finding trustworthy and nurturing infant child care is one of the most significant decisions a new parent in Greenville, Mississippi, will make. It’s a search filled with hope for a safe, stimulating environment and the very practical need for a reliable solution close to home. If you’re typing “infant child care near me” into your search bar, know that you’re not alone, and that Greenville offers several pathways to finding the right fit for your family’s youngest member.
Your first consideration should be understanding the specific landscape of childcare in the Mississippi Delta. In Greenville, options often include licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and possibly faith-based programs. For infants, the state-mandated caregiver-to-child ratio is crucial for safety and individual attention. In Mississippi, for infants under one year, the ratio is one caregiver for every five infants. A quality program in Greenville will often strive for an even better ratio to ensure your baby gets plenty of cuddles, eye contact, and responsive care during these foundational months. When you visit a potential center or home, observe how the caregivers interact with the babies. Are they speaking and singing to them? Is the environment calm and clean? These observations during a tour are invaluable.
Given Greenville’s layout, from the historic downtown areas to neighborhoods off Highway 82, location is a key practical factor. A daycare near your home might be ideal for your daily routine, but one closer to your workplace in Washington County could make pickups and drop-offs less stressful. Consider the daily commute and how it might feel with a little one in the car. Don’t hesitate to ask local parents you meet at the Washington County Library or at Sunkist Park for their personal recommendations. Word-of-mouth referrals in a community like ours often lead to discovering a cherished home-based provider who may not have a large online presence.
Beyond the basics, look for a program that values partnership with parents. The best infant caregivers in Greenville understand they are an extension of your family. They should provide detailed daily reports about feeding, diapering, and sleeping, and be open to your preferences regarding routines. Ask about their policies on communication; can you call for a quick update? It’s also wise to inquire about their plan for Mississippi’s unpredictable weather, from summer heat waves to the potential for severe storms, ensuring your child’s safety is prioritized in all conditions.
Finally, trust your instincts. You know your baby best. After meeting the caregivers, seeing the space, and feeling the atmosphere, you’ll have a gut feeling about whether it’s right. Finding infant care is about more than just convenience; it’s about finding a warm, secure place in Greenville where your baby can begin to explore the world while you have peace of mind. Take a deep breath, schedule those tours, and know that with careful looking, you can find a wonderful start for your child right here in our community.